Elena wiped a stray tear from her cheek and put her hands up in defense.
She claimed that Lily was playing near the edge despite multiple warnings to step away.
She said the girl slipped on the polished wood and fell before anyone could grab her.
Lily buried her face deeper into Arthur's neck and whispered that her stepmother was lying.
The little girl raised her small tear-stained face and pointed at Elena with a trembling hand.
She explained that Elena had dragged her to the balcony to take away her favorite teddy bear.
When Lily reached for the bear, Elena had pushed her arm away toward the low railing.
Elena gasped loudly and called the seven-year-old child a liar who wanted to break their marriage.
She demanded that Arthur choose between trusting his new wife or an overly imaginative child.
Arthur looked at his daughter's frightened eyes and felt a wave of protective anger wash over him.
He knew his daughter never lied about important matters and was genuinely terrified of Elena.
Mrs. Gable hurried up the stairs with a glass of water for the shaking young child.
The housekeeper spoke up clearly and confirmed that she heard Elena yelling at Lily earlier.
She revealed that Elena had threatened to send Lily away to a boarding school far away.
Elena's face turned beet red with rage as she tried to quiet the honest housekeeper down.
Arthur raised his voice and commanded Elena to remain completely silent while he spoke.
He stated that his marriage to her was officially over as of this exact moment.
He demanded that she surrender her keys and leave the premises before the police arrived.
Elena sneered at him and claimed she had legal rights to stay in the grand mansion.
She reminded him about the prenuptial agreement that guaranteed her a comfortable living arrangement.