Mark walked into the bright foyer holding a heavy leather briefcase.
He wore a tailored beige suit, returning early from his corporate meeting in the city.
He stopped dead in his tracks as he saw Clara sitting on the floor with his crying daughter.
He noticed Victoria standing over them with a look of extreme anger.
Mark dropped his briefcase onto the floor with a loud thud.
He sprinted across the marble room toward his little girl.
Mark: What happened here?
Mark: Lily, are you okay?
Clara carefully handed the trembling toddler over to her father's waiting arms.
Mark lifted his daughter high, pulling her securely against his chest.
Lily wrapped her arms around her father's neck, still crying quietly.
Victoria: Mark, thank goodness you are home early!
Victoria: This maid was completely careless while watching Lily!
Victoria: She left the child near the upper railings all by herself!
Victoria put on a fake look of deep sorrow and panic, holding her hands together.
Victoria: I tried to save her, but Clara was so slow and clumsy!
Victoria: We must fire her immediately and kick her off the property!
Clara stood up slowly from the marble floor, looking Mark directly in the eye.
Clara: That is not what happened, Mr. Davis.
Clara: I caught your daughter after she fell from the upper railing.
Clara: Victoria watched her fall and did not lift a finger to save her.
Mark looked back and forth between his fiancee and the maid.
He saw the mud on Clara's uniform from catching the child so hard.
He saw the genuine tears of concern still shining in Clara's eyes.
Then he looked at Victoria, whose expensive makeup and dress were completely spotless.
Mark: Victoria, is this true?
Victoria: Of course not, Mark!
Victoria: You cannot take the word of a servant over your future bride!
Mark set his daughter down gently behind him and stepped forward.
His face turned dark with an intense and controlled anger.
Mark: I heard what you said right as I unlocked the front door.