The sudden noise in the living room echoed down the long marble corridor.
Arthur Sterling had just returned early from his corporate meeting downtown.
He walked through the grand front entrance while holding his leather briefcase.
He heard screaming coming from the main sitting area of the house.
Arthur rushed down the hallway with fast heavy steps.
He pushed open the heavy double doors of the living room.
He saw Elena standing near the wall with tears in her eyes.
She was holding baby Leo against her chest to shield him.
Victoria stood nearby with a flushed face and angry eyes.
On the floor between them lay the steaming iron resting on the polished wood.
"What is going on here?!" Arthur demanded in a loud stern voice.
Victoria immediately changed her expression and pulled out a soft handkerchief.
"Arthur, thank goodness you are home!" Victoria cried out softly.
"This clumsy maid lost her balance and almost dropped the iron near Leo!" Victoria lied.
Elena shook her head vigorously while holding the crying baby tight.
"That is not what happened, Mr. Sterling!" Elena called out with a steady voice.
Arthur looked from his trembling wife down to the iron on the floor.
He noticed a scorch mark starting to form on the rug.
"Tell me the truth right now, Elena," Arthur said firmly.
"She was holding the hot iron near your son to scare him, sir!" Elena explained.
"I had to push her away to save little Leo from getting burned!" Elena added.
Victoria gasped loudly and held her hand over her heart.
"She is making up stories to cover her own terrible mistake, Arthur!" Victoria claimed.
"Why would I ever do something so awful to your child?" Victoria asked.
Arthur took a step closer to his wife and looked deep into her eyes.
He had noticed subtle signs of resentment from Victoria for several months.
She hated that Leo was the primary heir to the family trust fund.
Arthur turned his head slowly toward the framed flag on the wall.
He believed in honor and protecting those who could not protect themselves.
"Elena has worked here for three years without a single complaint," Arthur stated.
"Why would she start lying today?" Arthur asked in a calm dangerous voice.
Victoria began to sweat under her husband's intense stare.
She stepped back toward the sofa and folded her arms.
"Are you taking the word of a servant over your own wife?" Victoria snapped.
"I am taking the word of the person holding my safe son," Arthur answered.