Richard stepped forward, his face pale with shock as he stared at the scene.
Clara remained on her knees on the cold marble floor while holding baby Emma tightly.
Clara: Sir, I was saving her! I would never hurt this little angel!
Victoria: She is lying to cover up her total negligence and cruel mistake, Richard!
Victoria: I saw her near the top of the stairs right before we walked outside!
Clara shook her head rapidly as warm tears spilled down her pale cheeks.
Clara: I was folding linen in the dining room until I heard the stroller bounce!
Richard set his briefcase on the hall table and looked between his wife and the nanny.
Richard: Clara, we trusted you with our daughter's life inside our home.
Clara: And I protected her, sir! Look at my knees, I slid to save her!
Victoria placed a manicured hand over her heart and pretended to faint backward.
Victoria: My sweet baby could have been destroyed because of this foolish girl!
Victoria: Call the police right now and have her dragged away in handcuffs!
Clara felt a wave of cold terror wash through her body as Richard took out his phone.
She knew a criminal record would destroy her career and leave her mother homeless.
Clara: Please, Mr. Sterling, listen to me for just one second!
Richard: The evidence looks terrible, Clara, and my wife saw you near the steps.
Victoria smirked slightly while turning her face away from her husband's gaze.
Clara noticed the subtle twist on the wealthy woman's lips and felt sick inside.
She realized then that this was not an accident at all.
Fourteen-year-old Lily Sterling walked down the hallway from the home theater room.
She held a black TV remote in her right hand and looked very calm.
Lily: Dad, before you call the sheriff, you need to see something important.