Arthur took three long firm steps into the bright marble room.
His authoritative eyes shifted quickly from his trembling wife to Elena.
He noticed the maid kneeling near the carpet with tears in eyes.
He saw his wife standing over her with a fierce angry stance.
Arthur: What on earth is happening in my house right now?
Arthur's deep voice echoed powerfully off the tall two-story walls.
Victoria immediately changed her expression into one of helpless tears.
She placed her hands over her face and began sobbing loudly.
Victoria: Oh Arthur, thank goodness you arrived home early today!
She ran over to her husband and grabbed his dark suit arm.
Victoria: Elena just tried to steal the historic diamond from upstairs!
Elena gasped loudly in utter disbelief at the wicked false claim.
She shook her head rapidly while trying to clear her tight throat.
Elena: That is completely untrue, Mr. Sterling!
Victoria: I caught her prying the gem right out of the setting!
Victoria pointed an accusing finger straight toward the trembling house maid.
Victoria: She accidentally dropped it when I yelled at her to stop!
Arthur looked down at Elena with a heavy expression of deep sadness.
He had always trusted Elena to handle the home's valuable items.
Arthur: Elena, is this true? Did you touch the family vault?
Elena looked directly into the kind eyes of her employer now.
She knew that staying silent would destroy her whole entire life.
Elena: No sir, I swear on my mother's life I didn't!
She opened her cupped hands to reveal the loose shining diamond.
Elena: I caught this stone right before it shattered down here!
Victoria: She is lying to save herself from going to prison!
Victoria stepped forward again with her arm raised in dramatic anger.
Victoria: Throw her out of this house immediately and call police!
Elena stood her ground firmly despite her extreme internal fear.
She reached into her apron pocket and pulled out her hand tool.
It was the silver pry tool Victoria had accidentally dropped earlier.
Elena: Mrs. Sterling dropped this tool right beside the balcony rail.
Arthur's eyes locked onto the tool holding his wife's unique initials.
His facial expression turned from confusion into intense cold fury.
He slowly looked over at Victoria whose face turned completely pale.