Mark set his heavy leather briefcase down onto the hard marble floor.
His face was red with frustration as he looked at the sharp glass.
The broken pieces rested everywhere across the bottom three marble steps.
Mark: That sculpture was the last gift my mother gave to our family.
Evelyn: I tried to stop her, Mark, but she was so clumsy.
Evelyn placed her hand over her heart while faking a deep sob.
Evelyn: She nearly dropped baby Leo down the steps alongside the glass!
Sarah held the sweet baby even closer to protect him from floating dust.
Sarah: I never went anywhere near that fragile glass display, sir.
Sarah: I was standing at the bottom landing holding Leo the entire time.
Evelyn: Are you calling me a liar in my own home, Sarah?
Evelyn: You have been jealous of my position since the day I married Mark.
Mark looked back and forth between his new wife and his loyal maid.
Mark: Sarah has worked here for three years without a single mistake.
Evelyn: So you trust a hired servant over your own wedded wife?
Evelyn walked down closer to Mark, her velvet dress rustling loudly.
Evelyn: She wants to get me fired from managing this household estate!
Sarah: I only care about the safety of baby Leo and the truth.
Sarah: You shoved the glass off the top ledge with your own hand.
Mark stepped closer to the stairs to inspect the broken crystal pieces.
He noticed the way the glass had spread far across the lower foyer.
Mark: A simple trip would not push heavy glass this far out.
Evelyn: She threw her arm out when she lost her balance, Mark!
Evelyn: Fire her right now and throw her bags onto the front lawn!
Sarah kept her voice steady despite her heart pounding inside her chest.
Sarah: Please check the hallway table before you make your final choice.
Mark: What is on the hallway table, Sarah?
Sarah: Your late mother installed something special behind that framed picture last year.
Evelyn suddenly stopped crying as her face turned completely pale white.
Evelyn: She is just making up stories to stall for extra time!
Sarah: Look right behind the USA flag painting on the cream wall.