By three o'clock in the afternoon Arthur was still stuck inside an urgent corporate meeting downtown.
Victoria walked restlessly down the upper floor corridor while checking her heavy gold wrist watch.
She resented the fact that a three year old held the rights to the entire property.
Elena walked up the back spiral staircase to gather the white linen laundry towels from bedrooms.
She heard the faint sound of little Lily soft footsteps wandering near the grand upper balcony.
The upper balcony overlooked the massive white marble foyer located two floor levels below them.
Lily had wandered out of the playroom looking for her lost favorite yellow toy bear.
Victoria stood near the top balcony railing watching the small toddler wander dangerously close to edge.
Instead of pulling the child back to safety, Victoria stepped back and lowered her arms completely.
Victoria: You do not belong in this family line at all!
Lily stumbled over the raised edge of the tall marble floor border near the railing.
The small girl lost her balance and began falling toward the wide open lower foyer floor.
Elena turned the hall corner and let out an immediate gasp of pure terror and panic.
She dropped the heavy linen basket completely and sprinted forward across the slick marble tile.
Elena: Hold on sweetheart I am right here!
Elena lunged forward across the smooth floor slid on her knees across the polished white marble.
She extended both arms outward right beneath the open railing gap with desperate frantic strength.
Elena caught the falling toddler securely against her chest just inches before striking the hard surface.
The heavy impact knocked the breath straight out of Elena chest as she fell back hard.
She held Lily tight against her beating heart as the child wept loudly from intense fear.
Elena: I got you sweet child you are safe now!
Victoria stood at the top of the balcony stairs looking down with cold angry eyes.
She realized that her cruel plan to cause an unfortunate accident had failed completely now.
Victoria quickly pulled her hair back and adjusted her silk red dress to change her appearance.
She began screaming loudly down the grand staircase to frame the brave loyal house maid.
Victoria: Help! The maid just tried to push my daughter off the balcony!
Elena looked up from the floor in absolute shock as she held the sobbing toddler tight.
She could not believe the wicked stepmother was turning this terrible moment against her so quickly.
Elena sat up on the hard marble floor holding Lily close while wiping her own tears.
She knew her word alone might not be enough against the wealthy socialite wife today.
The heavy double front doors suddenly burst open with a loud booming bang across the room.