Footsteps echoed outside in the long stone driveway near the main entrance.
The sound of heavy car doors slamming filled the quiet morning air.
Ethan Sterling had returned early from his executive board meeting downtown.
He walked toward the front entrance carrying his leather business briefcase.
Inside the grand room, Evelyn heard the heavy front doors open wide.
Her cruel expression transformed instantly into a fake look of deep sorrow.
She dropped to the marble floor and threw her head back wildly.
Evelyn: Help me! Someone please help me right now!
Clara stared at Evelyn in complete shock at the sudden performance.
Ethan rushed into the living room with a look of total confusion.
He saw Evelyn sitting on the floor in her emerald gown.
He saw Clara standing near the playpen holding the velvet box.
Ethan: What on earth is happening in my house today?
Evelyn: Ethan! Thank goodness you came home right this minute!
Ethan: Evelyn, why are you sitting on the marble floor?
Evelyn: Your maid assaulted me and tried to steal from us!
Ethan stopped in his tracks and looked closely at Clara's face.
Clara remained completely calm while holding little Leo gently in her arms.
Clara: That is completely false, Mr. Sterling.
Evelyn: She took the key from your private executive desk!
Ethan: Is the safe open behind the central painting, Clara?
Clara: Yes, sir, but Miss Evelyn opened it herself.
Evelyn let out a fake sob and wiped her dry eyes.
Evelyn: She is lying to protect herself, my love!
Evelyn: She wanted to take your late wife's golden necklace!
Ethan walked slowly toward the open wall safe near the desk.
He looked at the key sitting directly on top of the desk.
He noticed that the legal documents had been moved around messily.
Ethan: Only two people know the combination to this wall safe.
Evelyn: She must have spied on you while you opened it!
Clara: I have never asked for your code in five years.
Clara: Miss Evelyn found the spare key inside your nightstand drawers.
Ethan turned around slowly and faced both women in the room.
His brown eyes were sharp and focused with absolute determination.
Ethan: Clara has worked for my family for over five years.
Ethan: She protected my son when my wife passed away peacefully.
Evelyn: Are you questioning my honesty over a simple maid's word?
Ethan: I am questioning the strange scene I see right now.
Ethan stepped toward the playpen and picked up his small child.
Little Leo held tightly onto his father's dark velvet suit jacket.
Ethan: My son was crying when I walked into the hallway.
Clara: She snatched his velvet ribbon and yelled at him, sir.
Evelyn: That child was making a mess of my dress!
Ethan caught the slip in Evelyn's words very carefully and quickly.
His face hardened into a cold expression of deep paternal fury.
Ethan: You called my innocent baby son a child making a mess?
Evelyn realized her huge mistake and gasped quietly in sheer horror.