The crowd of rich guests stepped closer around the wet patio area.
Murmurs filled the warm evening air as people whispered to each other.
Elena put a hand over her heart like she was deeply hurt.
Elena: She is a thief who tried to destroy my husband's papers!
Maya shook her head back and forth as tears rolled down.
Maya: I jumped in to save those papers from sinking!
Elena: Look at her uniform dripping water all over the floor!
Elena: She fell in because she was clumsy and evil!
The man in the grey shirt stayed completely quiet and calm.
His serious eyes looked back and forth between the two women.
He kept one hand on the saved bundle beside the soaking maid.
Elena: Why are you just standing there doing nothing at all?
Elena: Grab her arms before she runs away into the dark night!
Maya felt her heart pounding fast against her soaking blue uniform.
She knew nobody at this rich party would ever believe a maid.
She had worked for months to earn the trust of Arthur Sterling.
Elena had only been married into the family for three short weeks.
Yet everyone knew how powerful and manipulative Elena could truly be.
Maya: Please check the security cameras near the garden wall!
Maya: The cameras will show she tossed it with her own hands!
Elena narrowed her dark eyes and stepped closer to the man.
Elena: The camera system is currently down for maintenance tonight.
Elena: You work for my husband, so do your job right now!
Elena: Arrest her now for attempted murder of our estate legacy!
The man in the grey shirt slowly tilted his head sideways.
A calm smile appeared on his face as he looked at Elena.
Detective Vance: You made a big mistake tonight, Elena.
Elena blinked her eyes in sudden confusion and growing fear.
Elena: What are you talking about right now?
Detective Vance: You just confessed in front of twenty legal witnesses.