Elena stumbled back from the force of the blow, holding Maya even tighter.
Victoria stepped forward aggressively, her face bright red with uncontrollable anger.
Victoria: Give her to me! Don't you dare touch my stepdaughter!
She raised her hand again, slapping Elena hard across her bruised left cheek.
Elena's skin burned with pain, but she refused to let go of the toddler.
Maya wept loudly, clinging onto Elena's collar as the confrontation grew more intense.
Elena: Strike me all you want, but you are not taking her!
Victoria: You are a nobody! A worthless servant who knows nothing!
Victoria: I run this house, and I decide who lives here!
Victoria lunged forward again, trying to yank the child forcibly from Elena's arms.
Elena turned her back to protect Maya, taking the hard blows on her shoulder.
Suddenly, the heavy double front doors swung open with a loud, sudden crash.
Richard stepped inside the foyer, holding his briefcase and looking in utter horror.
He had forgotten his important presentation documents and returned home early by surprise.
He saw his wife striking the loyal maid who was shielding his crying daughter.
Richard: What in the world is happening in my house right now?
Victoria: Richard! Oh thank goodness you are home, darling!
Victoria immediately dropped her raised hand and put on a fake look of panic.
She rushed over toward Richard, trying to grab his arm with shaking hands.
Victoria: The maid has gone completely mad and tried to steal Maya away!
Victoria: She dropped her on the floor and was screaming terrible things at me!
Richard ignored Victoria completely and rushed straight over toward Elena and Maya.
He gently took his weeping daughter into his strong, safe arms, hugging her tightly.
Richard: Maya! I've got you! Stop right there, Victoria!
Maya held onto her father's suit jacket, sobbing hysterically against his shoulder.
Maya: Daddy! She pushed me! The bad lady pushed me off!
Richard's heart froze instantly as he heard his daughter's trembling little voice.
He looked at Elena, who was kneeling on the floor with red cheek marks.
Richard: Elena, tell me exactly what happened here while I was gone.
Elena: Sir, she took Maya to the balcony and pushed her over the railing.
Elena: I ran from the stairs and caught her right before she hit the floor.
Victoria: She is lying, Richard! Why would you listen to a common servant?
Victoria: She wants to get money from you by making up false accusations!
Richard: Shut your mouth right now, Victoria, and let her speak!
Elena wiped the tears from her red face and looked directly at Richard.
Elena: Check the security system in your private study room, Mr. Vance.
Elena: You installed high-definition cameras in the main entrance foyer last month.
Victoria's face turned instantly pale as all the color drained from her cheeks.
She had completely forgotten about the newly installed security cameras in the foyer.
Richard looked at Victoria, his eyes cold as ice with deep, growing fury.
Richard: Is this true, Victoria? Did you harm my only daughter?
Victoria: Richard, please, let me explain what really happened up there!
Victoria: It was all a huge misunderstanding! I lost my balance near the rail!
Richard: You will stand right there while I check the security footage.
Richard walked quickly over to the control panel near the main office door.
He entered his security code and opened the real-time video playback screen.
The bright screen showed the upper floor balcony clear as day in 4K resolution.
He saw Victoria clearly lifting Maya up and pushing her over the high railing.
He saw Elena sprint across the floor and catch the child with desperate bravery.
A cold wave of pure rage washed over Richard's entire body as he watched.
He turned back toward Victoria, his jaw clenched tight with intense, furious anger.
Richard: You absolute monster... You tried to destroy my child!