Two police officers stepped into the foyer, their eyes taking in the dramatic scene. Smoke poured from the top of the staircase, while Hannah stood holding the crying child near the doorway. Vanessa immediately shifted her demeanor, wiping a fake tear from her eye and rushing toward the officers with her hands raised in apparent distress.
Vanessa: Officer, thank goodness you are here! The maid set fire to the upper wing! She tried to harm my stepson to steal from our home!
Hannah: That is a complete lie! She trapped Leo in his room and left him to die!
Officer Davis: Everyone calm down! First, let us get the child outside to the paramedics!
The officer helped Hannah carry Leo out into the fresh air, placing him safely onto a stretcher where medical workers immediately gave him oxygen. Hannah stayed right beside him, holding his small hand while the doctors checked his breathing. Vanessa walked out onto the lawn, keeping her legal documents hidden behind her back as she tried to control the narrative.
Within ten minutes, a black luxury sedan pulled up to the security gate at full speed. Arthur Sterling jumped out of the back seat before the car even came to a complete stop. He had rushed back from his downtown office the moment his phone alerted him to the security emergency. His face was pale with terror as he ran across the lawn toward his son's stretcher.
Arthur: Leo! My God, Leo! Are you alright?
Leo: Dad! Dad, I am okay! Hannah saved me!
Arthur: What happened here? How did this fire start?
Vanessa: Arthur, darling! It was terrible! The maid was careless with the cleaning fluids upstairs! I tried to stop her, but the flames spread so fast!
Hannah stood up tall, stepping between Arthur and his wife. Her blue uniform was torn and stained with black ash, but her eyes were firm and unwavering. She looked Arthur dead in the eye and spoke with absolute clarity.
Hannah: Mr. Sterling, your wife is lying to you. She intentionally started that fire near your study. I caught her running down the stairs with your estate files, and she grabbed my arms to stop me from saving your son.
Vanessa: She is a crazy worker trying to save her job! You cannot believe a word she says!
Arthur: Quiet, Vanessa! Hannah has worked for us for years and never lied to me once!
Leo: Dad, she is telling the truth! Vanessa locked my door from the outside with heavy chairs! I was trapped in the smoke until Hannah kicked the door open!
Arthur looked at his small son, then at his wife, whose face suddenly turned pale. He stepped closer to Vanessa, looking down at the leather folder she was trying to hide behind her silk dress.