Mark slammed his office door open after hearing the terrible screams upstairs.
He rushed down the long hallway toward the grand central landing area.
Victoria threw her hands over her face and began to sob dramatically.
She pointed a trembling finger directly at Clara on the floor below.
Victoria: Mark, hurry up and save your poor daughter right now!
Mark ran toward the landing with his mouth open in pure horror.
Mark: What happened here and why is Lily crying so hard?
Victoria fell to her knees next to the top railing with tears flowing.
Victoria: The maid tried to push her over the railing into space!
Clara held the crying toddler tighter against her racing heart on floor.
Clara: That is a complete lie, sir, I saved her life today!
Victoria pointed aggressively down at Clara with a loud sharp voice.
Victoria: She was careless and pulled Lily right toward the open edge!
Mark looked down at Clara holding his weeping daughter on carpet.
His face turned red with deep confusion and growing emotional anger.
He took Lily from Clara's arms and checked her tiny forehead gently.
The child held onto her father's silk tie and sobbed softly now.
Mark: Did you let my child get close to that rail, Clara?
Clara: I was cleaning the foyer when I saw Miss Victoria push her!
Victoria wiped her eyes and looked at Mark with false deep sorrow.
Victoria: Why would I ever hurt the sweet girl I plan to raise?
Victoria: She was looking for extra money and tried to frame me!
Mark stepped between the two women and held Lily very close.
He looked at Clara's grey uniform and her trembling sweaty hands.
Clara had worked in his home since his late wife was alive.
She had never shown anything but complete devotion to his little girl.
Yet Victoria was his trusted fiancée and held a prestigious social rank.
Mark: Clara, tell me the exact truth before I call the police.
Clara: Miss Victoria stood behind her and pushed her toy over first.
Clara: She wanted Lily to reach forward so she would slide through.
Victoria gasped loudly and buried her head against Mark's dark suit jacket.
Victoria: How can you let this servant speak to me like that?
Victoria: She knows you promised her a bonus in your late wife's will!
Victoria: She is trying to ruin our wedding so she keeps her job!
Mark felt a heavy knot form deep inside his dark troubled chest.
He looked at the broken plastic toy car lying on floor below.
The toy was smashed into two pieces right near the front doorway.
He knew Lily never played near the high railing by herself before.
Mark: Both of you need to calm down right now this instant.
Victoria: Fire her immediately and throw her out onto the street today!
Clara stood up slowly and kept her eyes directly on Mark's face.
Clara: Check the security system if you do not believe my words.
Victoria's body went completely stiff for one brief silent second.
She had forgotten about the tiny camera hidden near the chandelier light.