The high summer sun burned bright outside the floor-to-ceiling estate windows.
Arthur had left early that morning for an important emergency board meeting downtown.
The giant mansion felt unusually silent as Sarah cleaned the grand upper balcony.
Victoria wandered around the quiet house wearing her finest deep maroon satin gown.
She paced back and forth across the glossy marble floors of the main foyer.
Her face looked pale, calculated, and filled with a dangerous unspoken resolve.
She called out loudly for Sarah to bring baby Leo down from his room.
Victoria: Bring my son downstairs right now, Sarah, without delay!
Sarah: I am bringing him down right now, Mrs. Vance!
Sarah held little Leo securely against her chest as she walked down stairs.
The infant cooed happily and reached his tiny hands out toward the chandelier.
When Sarah reached the bottom of the grand staircase, Victoria stepped forward quickly.
Victoria reached out her arms demanding to hold the young boy immediately.
Victoria: Give him to me now, you have held him long enough.
Sarah: Of course, ma'am, please support his little neck carefully.
Sarah gently placed the precious infant into Victoria's waiting open arms.
Victoria took the baby but held him loosely, almost carelessly near the stairs.
Sarah felt an immediate sharp jolt of deep panic shoot through her heart.
She stayed very close by, keeping her hands positioned right below the baby.
Victoria looked toward the high front doors as heavy tires crunched on gravel.
Arthur's luxury black sedan was arriving home earlier than anyone had expected.
Victoria's eyes flashed with a sudden terrifying light of reckless opportunity.
She suddenly raised the baby high up near the top of the marble landing.
She leaned backward dramatically as if losing her balance on the polished floor.
Sarah: Be careful with him, Mrs. Vance, please hold him tight!
Victoria: Get your hands away from me this instant, Sarah!
Victoria deliberately loosened her grip on the child's soft cotton swaddle wrap.
The baby slid downward as Victoria let out a loud fake shrieking cry.
Sarah's instinct kicked in faster than thought as she lunged forward instantly.
She threw her arms open wide to intercept the falling baby before impact.
Sarah caught little Leo securely against her chest and rolled onto her knee.
The baby let out a terrified cry but was completely unhurt and safe.
Sarah hugged the crying baby tightly against her chest to soothe his fear.
Sarah: I've got you, you're safe now, my sweet little boy.
Victoria turned around in a sudden panic, screaming loudly at the top stairs.
Victoria: How could you throw a baby like that, you reckless maid!
Victoria quickly slapped her own cheek hard, leaving a dark red mark behind.
She feigned total horror as footsteps rushed toward the grand double front doors.