The high foyer was bright with natural sunlight streaming through the massive arched windows.
Elena stepped back slowly while shielding baby Lily with her arms.
Elena: Please put that box down, it belongs to the Vance family history!
Victoria: It belongs to whoever controls this mansion and its money!
Victoria smirked villainously as she held the heavy glass case entirely over the open air.
She knew that breaking the antique would cause mass confusion and destroy key evidence.
Elena: Do not do this, Victoria!
Without a second thought, Victoria opened her hands and released the heavy object.
The heavy box plunged downward toward the hard marble floor below with terrifying speed.
Elena reacted with instant reflexes and rushed down the stairs faster than ever before.
She reached out her arms at the bottom landing just in time.
Elena dived forward onto the floor, catching the falling leather folder that slipped out.
The heavy glass case shattered loudly against the marble right next to her feet.
Glass pieces exploded across the floor, making a deafening sound throughout the mansion foyer.
Elena sat up quickly while holding the safe adoption documents tightly to her chest.
Baby Lily began to cry out in fright from the sudden loud crash sound.
Elena hugged the infant close and rocked her gently back and forth.
Elena: Shh, it is okay, you are safe now, my sweet baby.
Tears of intense emotional relief rolled down Elena's pale cheeks onto her gray uniform.
She had managed to save the vital legal papers right before they were destroyed.
At that exact moment, the double front entrance doors burst wide open.
Julian stepped into the grand hall holding his leather briefcase and coat.
He stopped dead in his tracks as he saw the shattered glass all over his clean floor.
He saw his maid kneeling on the floor crying while holding his infant baby girl.
Julian: What on earth happened here while I was outside?
Elena looked up at him with desperate eyes filled with raw truth.
Elena: Sir! She intentionally dropped the family heirloom and legal files from the upper balcony!
Julian's eyes went wide with shock as he processed the maid's intense words.
His face began to contort with explosive rage and deep betrayal.
He looked up toward the second-floor balcony railing immediately.
Victoria was hurrying down the marble steps while feigning extreme panic and worry.
Victoria: Don't listen to her, Julian! She dropped it herself and is making up stories!
Victoria ran down the final steps, trying to act like a victim.
She attempted to put her hands on Julian's arms to manipulate him again.
Julian pushed her hands away with massive strength, refusing to let her touch him.
Julian: Do not dare tell me another lie in my own house!