The baby's crying echoed through the tall ceiling beams of the upper hallway.
Elena held the child safely against her shoulder while walking briskly toward the stairs.
Victoria followed right behind her with quick, heavy footsteps on the wooden floorboards.
Her face was red with anger as she clutched the stolen folder tightly.
Victoria: Give me those key keys and stop making a public scene!
Elena: I am taking this baby straight down to Lord Marcus right now.
Victoria: He is in a closed meeting with the estate directors downstairs!
Elena: Then he will hear the truth in front of everyone present.
Victoria reached out and tried to block the top of the grand staircase.
Elena stepped back cautiously to protect the infant from any accidental sudden movement.
The hallway lamps cast long, dramatic shadows across the polished oak floorboards.
Down below in the main foyer, heavy oak doors creaked open softly.
Lord Marcus stepped out into the hall dressed in his formal red tailored suit.
He looked up toward the balcony after hearing the loud, echoing voices above.
His sharp eyes narrowed immediately when he saw the tense standing argument.
Marcus: What is the meaning of all this noise during my meeting?
Elena: Lord Marcus, please come up here right away with your security team!
Victoria: Pay no attention to her, Marcus! She has lost her mind!
Elena: Victoria took the inheritance documents directly from the nursery safe!
Marcus stopped in his tracks near the bottom step of the staircase.
His stern face turned completely dark as he processed Elena's clear words.
He raised his hand to pause his business associate standing near the door.
With swift and powerful steps, Marcus began climbing the wide grand stairs.
Victoria's hands began to shake visible against the dark leather folder cover.
She tried to slip the folded parchment inside her dress coat pocket discreetly.
Elena watched every move closely and pointed directly at Victoria's hands.
Elena: Look at what she is trying to hide right now, sir!
Marcus reached the top landing and stood firmly between the two women.
He looked directly at Victoria with an intense, unyielding gaze of authority.
Marcus: Hand over whatever papers you are holding in your hand immediately.
Victoria: Marcus, darling, this maid is spreading outright lies about me!
Marcus: I said hand them over now, Victoria!
Victoria backed away slightly toward the large stone pillar near the wall.
She realized that her carefully calculated plan was falling apart completely today.
The legal documents were visible right at the edge of her coat pocket.
Marcus stepped forward calmly and took the parchment folder directly from her hand.
He unrolled the crisp paper and read the signature lines at the bottom.
A sudden look of deep betrayal swept across his stern, rugged face.
Marcus: This is my late wife's original trust fund allocation document.
Victoria: I was only keeping it safe for the family court review!
Marcus: You had no legal permission or right to touch these records!