Victoria stepped forward quickly before Marcus could reach the crying child.
Her high heels clicked loudly against the wet stone ground of the terrace.
She pointed a long polished finger right at the kneeling maid.
Victoria: Don't listen to her!
Victoria: She pushed the stroller into the pool!
Elena felt her heart stop in total disbelief at the terrible words.
She shook her head back and forth as tears mixed with the pool water.
Elena: No!
Elena: That's a lie!
Elena: I would never hurt him!
Marcus picked up his wet son and held him tight against his shirt.
His face was filled with intense confusion and rising anger.
Marcus: What actually happened here?!
Victoria leaned close against Marcus's shoulder with a sad face.
She placed her manicured hand gently on his strong arm.
Victoria: Look at her...
Victoria: She was careless and lost her temper earlier today.
Victoria: I saw her push the handle with my own eyes!
Elena reached her trembling hands out toward the baby boy.
She was terrified that Marcus would believe his cruel new wife.
Elena: Please, Mr. Vance!
Elena: I love little Leo like my own family!
Elena: The brake slipped when the wind blew the heavy umbrella!
Victoria shook her head slowly while pretending to wipe away a tear.
Victoria: She is lying to save her job, Marcus.
Victoria: She almost drowned our innocent little baby boy!
Marcus looked down at the soaked maid on the concrete terrace floor.
His mind was racing with fear and doubt after the terrible event.
He could not process the nightmare unfolding in his own backyard.
Victoria kept whispering sharp lies into his ear without stopping once.
Victoria: We must fire her right now before she causes more harm.
Elena pressed her forehead against the cool, wet patio ground in desperate prayer.
Elena: Believe me...
Elena: I am telling you the absolute truth!
Marcus pulled back from the crying maid with a cold expression.
He wrapped the baby in a dry blanket from the nearby lawn chair.
Marcus: Get out of my sight right now, Elena.
Marcus: Pack your things and leave this house before I call the police.
Elena felt her whole world break apart into tiny little pieces.
She watched Marcus turn his back and walk toward the main house doors.
Victoria followed right behind him with a small, secret smile on her lips.
Elena stayed collapsed on the cold floor, sobbing hysterically in deep pain.