Arthur froze in the doorway as the sound of his son's crying echoed across the foyer.
His sharp blue eyes scanned the grand entrance room, taking in the painful scene before him.
The CEO handed his leather briefcase to his guard and walked forward with heavy, deliberate steps.
Arthur: What on earth is happening in my house right now?
Victoria: Oh, Arthur, thank goodness you are finally home!
Victoria rushed down the stairs, her blue dress shimmering under the bright chandelier lights.
She forced tears into her eyes and reached for Arthur's arm with trembling hands.
Victoria: The maid was clumsy and startled Julian near the top landing!
Martha: That is a complete fabrication, Mr. Vance!
Victoria: How dare you talk back to me in front of my husband!
Arthur: Martha, calm down and tell me what you saw.
Martha: I was polishing the hallway table upstairs when Mrs. Vance walked over.
Victoria: She is lying to protect her own career, Arthur!
Julian: Dad! Dad, help me please!
Arthur immediately knelt beside his young son, ignoring his wife's desperate gestures.
He placed a gentle hand on Julian's shoulder and wiped a tear from the boy's cheek.
Arthur: Take a deep breath, son, and tell me the truth.
Julian: She put something slick on the floor and yelled at me to move!
Arthur: Who put something on the floor, Julian?
Julian: Victoria did! She pushed her foot forward and made me fall!
Victoria gasped loudly, taking a step back and clutching her chest in fake outrage.
Victoria: Arthur, you cannot listen to a confused child who just hurt himself!
Arthur: My son does not lie to me, Victoria.
Victoria: He is traumatized and misremembering what happened two minutes ago!
Martha: I have the glass marble right here in my hand, sir.
Martha held up a small green glass bead that matched Victoria's designer handbag decorations.
Arthur stared at the glass marble, his jaw tightening as cold anger filled his chest.
The atmosphere inside the foyer turned instantly icy as the guards stepped closer to the stairs.
Victoria noticed the sharp change in her husband's expression and backed away toward the railing.
Victoria: That marble could belong to anyone in this mansion!
Arthur: That bead was custom imported for your private wardrobe last month.