Elena slid across the shiny floor and caught the heavy brass box just inches above the ground.
The heavy metal clanked sharply as she pulled the box tight against her protective chest.
She lay on the hard marble floor while breathing heavily, holding the precious estate files close.
Elena: I have got you, the documents are completely safe!
She let out a huge sigh of relief as tears of stress welled up in her eyes.
Up on the balcony, Clara stared down in complete disbelief and bitter anger.
Her wicked plan had failed because of the maid's quick thinking and fast physical reaction.
Just then, the grand front entrance doors swung open with a loud and sudden slam.
Richard Sterling stepped into the bright foyer wearing his dark navy business suit.
He had returned home early from his meeting to sign the official trust fund paperwork.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw his maid lying on the cold floor.
Richard: What on earth is happening in my house right now?
Elena scrambled up to her knees and pointed an trembling finger toward the balcony above.
Elena: Sir, your wife pushed your mother's trust fund box over the balcony edge!
Richard: She did what to my mother's private box?
Elena: She tried to break it on the floor, but I managed to catch it!
Clara rushed down the grand spiral staircase as fast as her high heels could carry her.
Her face was pale with panic as she tried to think of a believable fake story.
Clara: Do not listen to her lies, Richard, she is completely insane!
Clara: I was carrying the box for you, and it accidentally slipped from my hands!
Richard: Why were you inside my private office in the first place, Clara?
Clara: I was just trying to help you organize your important legal files!
Richard looked at his crying maid and then turned his gaze toward his trembling wife.
He saw the sheer panic in Clara's eyes and knew that something sinister was going on.
He walked over to Elena and gently helped her stand up from the hard floor.
He took the heavy brass box from her hands and checked the secure antique lock.
The box was completely undamaged, thanks to Elena's brave and fast dive.