Clara slowly stood up from the cold marble floor with a heavy heart.
Ethan reached out his small hand to touch her apron in silent protest.
Ethan: Please do not leave me alone with her, Clara!
Serena: Silence, Ethan! Go up to your room right this very instant!
Victor raised his hand to quiet everyone in the tense, silent foyer.
He felt a strange knot in his stomach that told him something was wrong.
He had known Clara for years, and she was always gentle and kind.
Suddenly, a soft electronic beep sounded high above them on the tall ceiling.
Everyone looked up toward the corner where the grand marble arch met the wall.
A white dome security camera mounted on the ceiling flashed a bright red light.
Serena's face instantly lost all of its color as she saw the blinking device.
Serena: I thought the security system was offline for maintenance today!
Victor: The technicians finished the repairs early this afternoon, Serena.
Victor pulled his high-end smartphone out from his brown trench coat pocket.
He tapped the screen twice to access the live digital camera security feed.
Serena took a step back with panic evident in her wide open eyes.
Serena: Victor, darling, there is no need to review stupid video tapes!
Serena: We should focus on taking care of Ethan right now instead!
Victor ignored her pleas and swiped back five minutes on the digital video log.
The high-definition video loaded clearly on his bright smartphone display screen.
He watched the exact moment Serena grabbed Ethan's arm and dragged him roughly.
He saw Clara run into the foyer and drop down to shield the boy.
The video clearly showed Serena framing the loyal maid with a wicked smile.
Victor's hands trembled with intense anger as he finished watching the footage video.
He looked up from the screen with a look of absolute cold rage.
Victor: The security feed just came back online, Serena. You're done.