The quiet hum of the east wing nursery offered little comfort as Dr. Hayes packed away his stethoscope, closing his medical bag with a quiet click[cite: 3]. Arthur stood by the window, staring out at the sprawling manicured lawns of the estate while Elena sat in a rocking chair, gently swaying the toddler who had finally fallen into a restless, tear-stained sleep[cite: 3].
Dr. Hayes adjusted his glasses, looking gravely between the billionaire father and the watchful maid[cite: 3].
Dr. Hayes:g: He's going to be physically fine, Arthur. Just some bruising and a mild concussion from the impact. But he needs absolute quiet and monitoring for the next twenty-four hours[cite: 3].
Arthur: Thank you, Doctor. Ensure security locks down this wing. No one enters unless I approve it personally[cite: 3].
Dr. Hayes: Understood. Though I must say, for a fall of that height, it's a miracle he wasn't paralyzed or worse. Who was watching him near the top landing?[cite: 3].
Arthur's jaw tightened into a hard line, his fists clenching inside his trouser pockets[cite: 3].
Arthur: My wife was supposed to be watching him. Instead, she let him tumble down the entire flight[cite: 3].
Elena looked up from the rocking chair, her voice barely above a whisper as she recalled the terrifying angles of the fall[cite: 3].
Elena: Mr. Sterling, if I hadn't been dusting the baseboards near the foyer, he wouldn't have made it. It didn't look like an accidental trip... she reached out toward him right before he started rolling[cite: 3].
Arthur: You saw her push him? Tell me the truth, Elena, don't hold anything back[cite: 3].
Elena: I saw her hand extend, sir. Whether she shoved him or tried to grab him too late, I can't be one hundred percent sure, but her expression... she wasn't panicking until she saw me looking[cite: 3].
The heavy oak door of the nursery creaked open slowly, and Victoria stepped inside, her red dress replaced by a sleek black silk robe[cite: 3]. She leaned against the doorframe, wearing a cool, detached expression that contrasted sharply with the chaos of an hour ago[cite: 3].
Victoria: Discussing me behind my back with the hired help now, Arthur? How terribly cliché of you[cite: 3].
Arthur turned sharply away from the window, his eyes narrowing as he stalked across the nursery floor toward her[cite: 3].
Arthur: We were discussing how close you came to killing my son. Get out of this room before I throw you out myself[cite: 3].
Victoria: This is my home too, Arthur. My name is on the deed, and my lawyers will have a field day when they hear how you assaulted me in front of the staff[cite: 3].
Arthur: Try calling your lawyers, Victoria. You'll find out very quickly that my security cameras cover every square inch of that grand staircase[cite: 3].
Victoria's composure faltered for a single, fleeting second, her eyes widening before she quickly masked her reaction behind a cold smirk[cite: 3].
Victoria: Then check the tapes, Arthur. Let's see what they really show[cite: 3].