Julian marched up the carpeted steps, his heavy shoes making loud thuds on the wood.
Victoria backed away against the wall, her hands trembling as her husband approached her.
Julian: Speak the truth right now before I call the authorities to this house!
Victoria: I lost my balance while carrying him to his morning room!
Elena: That is not true, sir, she tilted her hands forward on purpose!
Julian grabbed Victoria's arm firmly, pulling her away from the dangerous stair railing.
Julian: You have been nervous around this child since the day he was born!
Victoria: You are taking the word of a common maid over your own wife!
Julian: Get down to the study right now and sit in that chair!
Victoria glared down at Elena with pure hatred burning in her bright eyes.
Elena pushed herself up from the marble floor, keeping the child safe in her arms.
She walked carefully toward the living room sofa to soothe the crying infant down.
Julian followed Victoria down the steps, his jaw set in a hard, rigid line.
He pointed his finger toward the deep leather chairs inside the corner office space.
Julian: Tell me why the prenup agreement was on my desk open this morning.
Victoria stiffened, her posture going completely rigid near the wooden desk edge.
Victoria: I was just reviewing our family estate documents for our future!
Julian: That document states you get nothing if this child inherits the main estate.
Elena stood near the door frame, listening to the words echoing through the house.
She had seen Victoria looking through Julian's locked wooden drawers late last night.
She had kept quiet then because she was afraid of losing her small monthly income.
Now, holding the innocent baby, she knew she could never stay silent again.
Elena: Sir, she was in your office late last night with a lawyer on the phone.
Victoria turned around quickly, her eyes wide with shock at the maid's words.
Victoria: Shut your mouth, Elena, before I make sure you never work again!
Julian: Let her finish speaking right now, Victoria!
Elena stepped fully into the office light, looking Julian directly in his dark eyes.
She knew her job was over, but the truth was worth more than her paycheck.
The house felt like a powder keg ready to blow apart at any moment.