The evening air grew chilly as darkness fell over the estate.
Hannah walked upstairs to reach her bedroom on the second floor.
The long hallway was dimly lit by warm wall lights.
Suddenly, Margarethe stepped out from the shadows near the stairs.
She was holding a glass of juice and wearing an angry smile.
Margarethe: You think you are so clever talking to the staff.
Hannah: Mark is just trying to do his job and protect me.
Margarethe: Nobody can protect you from me in this large house.
Hannah: Please just leave me alone and let me go to sleep.
Margarethe blocked the pathway to the bedroom with her body.
She grabbed Hannah by the collar of her silk jacket roughly.
Margarethe: You will sign over your inheritance rights tomorrow morning!
Hannah: I will never give up my father's legacy to you!
Margarethe pulled hard on Hannah's beautiful pearl necklace during the struggle.
The delicate string broke, and shiny white pearls bounced across the floor.
Hannah screamed in shock as she was pushed backward toward the stairs.
She lost her balance on her high heels near the top step.
Hannah: No, please stop! Help me, somebody help!
Margarethe gave another harsh shove against Hannah's shoulder.
Hannah fell backward onto the carpeted steps with a loud crash.
She tumbled down several steps before coming to a sudden stop.
Pain shot through her shoulder, and her head was spinning fast.
Margarethe stood at the top of the stairs watching her silently.
There was no sympathy or kindness in the older woman's eyes.
Margarethe: You should have listened to me when you had the chance.
Loud footsteps rushed through the front lobby toward the staircase.
Mark ran around the corner with his flashlight raised high.
He saw Hannah lying on the stairs in great distress.
Mark: I got you, Hannah! Stay still, do not move!
Mark helped Hannah sit up slowly and checked on her arm.
Hannah: She... she pushed me down on purpose, Mark!
Mark: Texas police are on their way here right now!
Margarethe walked down the stairs with a calm, fake smile.
Margarethe: It was just a terrible, clumsy accident on her part.
Mark: You tore her necklace and pushed her with force!
Margarethe: She lost her balance on her own high heels, Mark.
Mark glared at the mean stepmother with fierce anger in his eyes.
He held Hannah close to make sure she felt safe and sound.