Arthur stepped into the grand marble foyer, holding his dark leather briefcase in his right hand.
He looked up toward the balcony staircase where the three of them stood in sharp silence.
Evelyn instantly changed her entire face from rage to absolute panic and loud hysterical sobbing.
Evelyn: Arthur! Oh thank goodness you are home right now! Help us, please!
Arthur dropped his heavy leather briefcase onto the shiny floor and rushed toward the marble stairs.
Arthur: Evelyn, what is going on up there? Why is Clara crying so hard?
Evelyn: Sarah just tried to push Clara over the wooden landing railing, Arthur!
Sarah's heart stopped in complete disbelief as the terrible lie echoed through the huge quiet mansion.
Sarah: What? No! That is completely untrue, Mr. Vance! I would never hurt Clara!
Evelyn: I caught her trying to slip on the top stair while carrying our precious baby!
Sarah: Mrs. Vance grabbed her arm roughly, sir, I was only trying to protect her!
Arthur's face turned pale with shock as he hurried up the remaining marble steps toward them.
Arthur: Sarah, step away from the railing right now and hand my daughter to me!
Sarah: Of course, sir, please take her, she is very frightened right now.
Sarah carefully handed the weeping toddler straight into Arthur's wide arms, keeping her eyes clear and honest.
Arthur held his little girl tight against his chest, feeling her tiny frame tremble with tears.
Arthur: Evelyn, explain to me exactly what happened before I walked through that door.
Evelyn: I came out of the bedroom and saw Sarah holding Clara right over the open balcony edge!
Sarah: That is a complete fabrication, Mr. Vance! Why would I ever do such a terrible thing?
Evelyn: Because she knows I found out she has been stealing silver items from the dining room!
Sarah gasped in deep shock, her hands shaking slightly as she looked at Arthur's stern eyes.
Sarah: I have never taken a single penny or spoon from this family in three years!
Evelyn: She is lying to save herself, Arthur, fire her immediately and call the police!
Arthur looked back and forth between his weeping wife and the quiet, steady maid before him.
Arthur: Sarah, do you have anything to say before I dial the sheriff's office right now?
Sarah: Sir, I ask only that you check the hidden camera installed in the nursery hallway ceiling.
Evelyn's face suddenly went entirely white, her long painted fingers tightening around her silk belt.
Evelyn: What hidden camera? There are no cameras upstairs in this private home!
Sarah: Mr. Vance put security cameras near the safe last month after the estate audit started.
Arthur frowned deeply as he remembered setting up the motion-activated security system three weeks ago.
Arthur: Sarah is right, Evelyn, the top landing is completely covered by the new lens.
Evelyn: You... you put cameras in our private hallway without telling me first?
Arthur: I put them everywhere after five hundred thousand dollars went missing from the company trust.