Elena refused to retreat to her staff quarters despite the heavy threats from Victoria.
She waited near the main hallway, monitoring the locked nursery door with deep anxiety.
Inside the room, little Leo continued to cry, his soft voice echoing through the wood.
Victoria walked back toward the study while carrying the stolen trust fund paperwork proudly.
She believed her plan was moving forward smoothly without any major obstacles in her path.
Suddenly, the heavy double front doors of the grand mansion swung open with force.
Arthur stepped into the foyer earlier than expected after finishing his business conference ahead of schedule.
He walked inside carrying his leather briefcase, expecting a quiet home greeting his arrival.
Instead, he heard the distressing sound of his young son crying upstairs in the hallway.
Arthur hurried up the grand marble staircase with rapid steps and a furrowed brow.
He reached the top landing just as Elena stepped out to intercept him directly.
Elena's arm showed a visible bruise, and her eyes were red from crying in frustration.
Arthur: Elena, what is happening here, and why is Leo crying so loudly right now?
Elena: Sir, Victoria locked the baby in the nursery and took your estate papers!
Arthur turned his head sharply toward the end of the long checkered corridor.
Victoria was standing near the study door, holding the thick folder tightly against her chest.
Her face went pale as she realized Arthur had returned hours ahead of schedule.
Arthur: Is this true, Victoria? Did you lock our child in his nursery room?
Victoria: She is lying to you, Arthur! I was only trying to organize your legal files!
Elena pointed directly at Victoria's pocket where the nursery key was clearly hidden away.
Elena: The key is in her dress pocket, and she pushed me when I tried to stop her!
Arthur's expression turned into pure anger as he looked at his wife's guilty face.
He demanded that Victoria hand over the nursery key immediately without another excuse.
Victoria took a step back, her hands trembling as she held onto the legal papers.
The tension in the quiet marble corridor reached a boiling point in that very second.