The estate's private security room was filled with dozens of glowing digital monitors, each displaying different angles of the sprawling property.
Arthur sat in the main leather chair with baby Leo resting against his chest, while Elena stood beside him, holding an ice pack against her bruised wrist.
Arthur: "Rewind the upper gallery camera to eight-fifteen AM."
Elena: "There, Mr. Sterling. Look at the left side of the frame."
On the high-definition monitor, a clear angle of the second-floor balcony showed the nursery door opening slowly.
A tall woman dressed in an expensive cashmere coat stepped out into the hallway, carrying the swaddled baby in her arms.
Arthur’s jaw clenched so tightly that the muscles in his face turned pale white.
Arthur: "Victoria..."
Elena: "Who is that, sir?"
Arthur: "My stepmother. My father's second wife."
Elena: "Why would she be near the nursery this early?"
Arthur: "She claimed she came over to bring baby clothes from the city. But she was never supposed to be on the second floor alone."
On the monitor, Victoria Sterling walked deliberately toward the marble railing overlooking the grand foyer.
She paused for a brief second, checked her surroundings, and then lifted the child over the wooden ledge, unclenching her fingers.
Elena: "My God... she did it on purpose! She didn't drop him by accident!"
Arthur: "She wanted it to look like a terrible tragedy. A nursery accident while the nanny was downstairs."
Elena: "Why would anyone want to harm a helpless infant?"
Arthur: "Money. The Sterling family trust fund."
Arthur stood up from his chair, his hands holding Leo with protective strength.
Arthur: "My late father left fifty percent of the estate directly to Leo upon his birth. If Leo dies, that entire share reverts back to Victoria under the terms of the old will."
Elena: "She tried to murder a baby for an inheritance?"
Arthur: "She thought no one was watching. She didn't realize I upgraded the camera system last week to record continuous four-K resolution."
Elena: "Where is she now, Mr. Sterling?"
Arthur checked the lower monitor that tracked the estate's gated driveway.
Arthur: "She's sitting in her Mercedes in the front courtyard, waiting for the commotion to die down so she can play the grieving grandmother."
Elena: "What are you going to do?"
Arthur: "I am going to destroy her life."
Arthur turned to face Elena, his blue eyes filled with genuine respect and gratitude.
Arthur: "Elena, you earned three hundred dollars a week working as a housemaid here, correct?"
Elena: "Yes, sir."
Arthur: "Starting today, your title is Chief Personal Security and Head Guardian for my children. Your annual salary will be two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, effective immediately."
Elena gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in utter astonishment.
Elena: "Mr. Sterling... two hundred and fifty thousand? I... I can't accept that!"
Arthur: "You threw your body onto hard marble to shield my baby from a fatal drop. Money cannot repay what you did, but it will ensure you never have to worry about your future again."
Elena: "I don't know what to say..."
Arthur: "Say you'll help me hand this video over to the federal prosecutors."
Elena: "I'll do whatever it takes to protect this baby."
Arthur: "Good. Now let's go downstairs and welcome my stepmother to the gala."