Mark walked up the wide winding staircase while Evelyn followed close behind him shouting angry words.
She insisted that searching their private home was an insult to her dignity as his legal wife.
Mark ignored her loud complaints and opened the white door leading directly into baby Lucas's nursery room.
Maria was sitting quietly in the wooden rocking chair while softly singing a gentle lullaby to the baby.
She looked up nervously as the married couple walked inside the sunlit pink and cream room.
Mark spoke with a gentle tone and asked Maria if she had seen anyone near his private safe today.
Maria hesitated for a brief second while looking nervously toward Evelyn who was glaring from the doorway.
The brave maid stood up slowly and placed the peaceful sleeping child safely inside his wooden crib.
She reached into her deep apron pocket and pulled out a small blue notebook with leather edges.
Maria handed the book to Mark while explaining that she kept track of every visitor entering the home.
She had promised Mark's late mother before she passed that she would always protect this home carefully.
Inside the book were written timestamps showing a smooth record of daily deliveries and guest arrivals.
Two hours ago a prominent local divorce lawyer had visited the mansion while Mark was away at work.
Evelyn had signed for a thick yellow envelope containing pre-filed divorce papers and asset distribution demands.
Mark turned the page and saw a handwritten note describing Evelyn's secret meeting in the back driveway.
Evelyn grabbed the edge of the crib and claimed Maria was writing complete lies to ruin her reputation.
She accused Maria of stealing jewelry from the master bedroom closet during her regular morning cleaning duties.
Mark asked Evelyn to open her handbag right then if she had nothing at all to hide from him.
Evelyn clutched her expensive designer leather bag tightly against her stomach and took two steps back.
Her eyes darted toward the open nursery window as if she wanted to escape the room entirely.