The morning light streamed into the tall glass windows of the grand estate.
Maria smoothed down her grey apron while walking through the spacious white marble hallway.
She had worked as a maid for the wealthy family for nearly five years.
Every morning brought the same quiet routine of dusting antique furniture and organizing polished cabinets.
However, an uneasy tension hung over the mansion throughout the entire week.
Elena stood near the carved wooden balcony overlooking the grand lower entrance.
Her light blue silk dress caught the bright morning sun as she moved back and forth.
Maria paused at the bottom of the staircase when she noticed the heavy stroller nearby.
Elena gripped the leather handle of the empty baby carriage with noticeable force.
Her face looked pale and strained as if she were wrestling with a dark decision.
Maria: Madam Elena, is everything alright up there today?
Elena: Mind your own business and get back to your duties immediately.
Maria: I only wanted to help you move that heavy stroller downstairs safely.
Elena: I do not need any assistance from a maid like you.
Maria noticed the sharp edge in the woman's tense voice right away.
She stepped closer to the base of the ornate marble staircase.
Suddenly, Elena gave the carriage a deliberate push toward the edge of the railing.
The heavy stroller tipped forward over the polished decorative wooden bar.
Maria gasped loudly as the carriage plummeted straight toward the hard floor below.
She rushed forward across the shiny floor with her arms outstretched in sudden horror.
Her sneakers skidded across the smooth stone as she caught the falling carriage frame.
The impact rattled her arms, but she held the handles firmly against her chest.
Maria: I have got it safe, thank goodness!
She looked inside the folded blanket quickly to check the contents.
To her complete shock, the carriage contained only folded velvet pillows and heavy weights.
The heavy front doors swung open with a deep mechanical groan right at that moment.
Richard stepped inside wearing his tailored grey suit after returning early from his office.
He stopped dead in his tracks as he observed the strange chaotic scene.
Richard: What on earth just happened in my house right now?
Maria: Sir, your wife deliberately pushed this stroller right over the balcony!
Elena: Shut your mouth and do not dare utter another word!
Elena hurried down the curved stairs while pointing her finger aggressively at Maria.
Richard stepped between both women with a stern expression across his face.
Richard: Explanation starts now, Elena, because I am watching every move.
Elena: She is lying to you to protect her own clumsy mistake!
Richard: I saw the carriage fall with my own eyes just now.
He looked down at the velvet pillows resting inside the metal frame.
His eyes narrowed as he realized something felt entirely wrong about the situation.
Richard: Why were heavy weights hidden inside this carriage in the first place?
Elena took a step back toward the stairs while her hands trembled slightly.
She opened her mouth to speak, but no clear words came out.
Richard pulled out his phone and pressed a button to call his security guard.
Richard: Bring up the hallway camera footage to my study immediately.