The heavy oak double doors swept open with a loud and echoing thud.
Richard Vance stepped into the grand foyer carrying his leather business briefcase.
He wore a tailored navy blue suit and carried an authoritative look upon his face.
He stopped immediately when he saw his wife weeping on the staircase steps.
He saw Maria standing near the wall holding the late wife's heirloom box.
Richard: What on earth is happening in this house right now, Elena?
Elena scrambled up from the steps and ran straight into Richard's open arms.
She buried her face into his expensive jacket and sobbed with fake heavy gasps.
Elena: Richard, thank goodness you came back early, Maria tried to steal the heirloom!
Elena: She went into the master bedroom and threw the box over the balcony!
Richard's brow furrowed tightly as he glared over Elena's shoulder at Maria.
Maria felt her heart beating wildly against her chest like a trapped bird.
She held the wooden box tightly and stepped forward into the bright light.
Maria: That is not true, Mr. Vance, she tried to destroy your baby's trust fund!
Maria: I caught the box before it smashed against the marble floor below!
Richard looked down at the intact wooden box in Maria's protective hands.
He knew the box contained the original estate papers and his late wife's diamonds.
If the box had shattered, the fragile legal documents inside might have been lost.
Elena pointed an accusing finger at Maria while clinging tightly to Richard's arm.
Elena: She is lying to save her job, Richard, fire her and call the police!
Richard raised his hand to silence both women as a cold quiet filled the room.
He walked slowly toward Maria and reached out to take the heavy wooden box.
He examined the brass lock on the front which was still perfectly intact.
He noticed that Maria's knees were bruised and dirty from sliding on the floor.
He then looked at Elena, whose eyes were darting nervously around the room.
Richard: The security cameras in the high ceiling balcony were active all morning, Elena.
Elena froze completely as all the color drained from her painted face instantly.
She had completely forgotten about the hidden security cameras installed last month.