The argument echoed loudly off the tall marble walls.
Victoria continued to sob dramatically against Adrian's chest.
Victoria: She needs to be locked up for child endangerment!
Adrian: Calm down, Victoria, we will handle this legally.
Elena: Mr. Sterling, please do not do this to me.
Elena: I spent my whole life being honest and kind.
Adrian: The evidence of what happened seems very clear to me.
Adrian: My wife was upstairs, and you were near the stroller.
Elena: I was at the bottom of the landing, sir!
Victoria: She is trying to twist the story to save herself!
Victoria glared at Elena over Adrian's dark blue suit jacket.
Her eyes were cold and filled with sharp malicious triumph.
She believed her clever plan was working perfectly fine.
She wanted Elena fired so she could hire a new assistant.
She wanted full control over the household and its large budget.
Victoria: Call the police right now and have her removed!
Adrian: I am calling the sheriff department this instant.
Adrian pulled his cellular phone from his deep coat pocket.
Elena sank against the edge of the wooden stair rail.
Tears rolled down her tired cheeks in silent helplessness.
Elena: God knows I am innocent of this crime.
Victoria: Save your dramatic speeches for a judge in court!
Suddenly, footsteps sounded quickly from the top balcony stairs.
Young Lily rushed down the steps holding her glowing smartphone.
Lily: Dad, stop dialing that number right now!
Adrian: Lily, stay upstairs in your bedroom, please.
Lily: No, Dad, you need to look at this right now!
Victoria: Lily, this is adult business, go back upstairs!
Lily: I am not going anywhere until my father sees this!
Lily pushed past her stepmother and stood beside her father.