Richard turned his head quickly and stared at his crying wife up on the tall marble balcony ledge above.
His jaw clenched tightly as anger flared deep inside his dark brown eyes under his heavy furrowed brow lines.
He did not say another word to the maid kneeling on the floor near the large center foyer rug.
Instead, he turned on his heel and rushed up the wide marble staircase with fast, heavy footsteps echo.
The wooden steps creaked under his weight as he took two stairs at a time in his rush upward.
Clarissa backed away from the top banister, her hands raised in defense as her husband reached the top landing.
Her beige gown rustled loudly against the floor carpet while she stumbled back toward the master bedroom doors.
Richard stopped right in front of her, his chest heaving up and down with deep, angry breaths of air.
Richard: How could you let our child fall from this height?
Clarissa: It was an accident, Richard, I swear to you!
Richard: You were supposed to protect this baby with your life!
Clarissa: I lost my footing near the edge of the railing!
Richard: The maid says you dropped him on purpose today!
Clarissa: She is trying to turn you against me for money!
Richard took one step closer, pointing his long finger directly into his wife's frightened pale face right now.
His voice shook with a cold, terrifying rage that made the quiet hallway feel icy and completely empty.
Down below in the foyer, Elena stood up slowly from the marble floor while holding the resting little infant.
She walked toward the base of the staircase, wanting to keep the small baby away from the harsh shouting.
She could hear the heavy tension rising between the wealthy couple on the high floor right above her head.
Clarissa wiped her face with the back of her hand, but her makeup was already smeared across her skin.
She tried to reach out and touch Richard's dark suit sleeve, but he pulled his arm back instantly from her.
Richard: Do not touch me until the police clear this up!
Clarissa: You are taking the word of a servant over mine?
Richard: I am taking the word of safety over your endless lies!
Clarissa: I have given everything to live in this house with you!
Richard: You have brought nothing but chaos into my life lately!
The small baby in Elena's arms began to settle down, soothed by the warm blanket wrapped around its body.
Elena looked around the grand home, realizing that money could never protect a family from deep internal rot.
She held the baby tighter, determined to stay right there until the proper authorities arrived at the house.