The entire foyer became completely silent for three long, agonizing seconds.
Elena stared up at the high ceiling corner near the chandelier fixture.
A tiny red light blinked quietly inside a dark glass dome camera bulb.
Elena: That camera has been completely turned off for several months now!
Sarah: Mr. Sterling had the security company fix all sensors last Thursday morning.
Richard set Lily down carefully on the soft patterned living room carpet nearby.
Richard: Sarah is telling the truth, I upgraded the entire system last week.
Richard: It records every single angle of the stairs in crystal clear quality.
Elena took a small step backward toward the massive double front doors.
Elena: Richard darling, you cannot possibly take a maid's word over mine!
Elena: I am your wife, I love you and this little girl!
Richard pulled his smartphone out of his inner jacket pocket without speaking.
He opened the security application connected directly to his estate server.
His thumb swiped quickly across the glass screen to rewind the live feed.
Elena tried to reach out to grab the phone out of his hand.
Elena: Stop it Richard, you are being completely ridiculous right now!
Richard stepped back, staring intensely down at the crisp video playback screen.
On the screen, the entire scene played out in sharp high definition color.
He saw Elena stand close behind Lily while Sarah's back was turned around.
He saw Elena's hand deliberately push the little girl's shoulder toward the drop.
He saw Sarah dive across the hard floor to save Lily's life.
A deep wave of pure fury flashed across Richard's handsome face instantly.
Richard: You monstrous liar, you tried to harm my only daughter today!
Elena: Richard please, it was a mistake, I was just trying to play!
Richard: Get out of my house right now before I call police!
Elena collapsed onto the polished marble floor in complete utter shock and disgrace.