The grandfather clock in the corner struck nine loud heavy chimes.
Victoria gripped the stolen legal folder even tighter against her chest.
She tried to push past Sarah toward the grand fireplace nearby.
Victoria: Move out of my way before I destroy your career!
Sarah: I will not let you burn those precious family documents!
Sarah moved quickly and blocked the wide exit with her body.
She saw the faint glow of burning embers inside the fireplace.
Victoria was planning to erase the child's entire monetary legal claim.
Without those papers, the entire trust fund would default to Victoria.
Victoria: You do not know who you are dealing with!
Sarah: I know exactly what kind of cruel person you are.
Victoria raised her hand in a sudden sharp surge of anger.
She tried to shove Sarah aside with all her physical strength.
Sarah stood her ground firmly and caught the folder mid-air quickly.
The papers scattered across the shiny white marble tiles below them.
Victoria: Pick those up and hand them to me right now!
Sarah: These papers prove Arthur left everything to his daughter.
Sarah reached down and quickly gathered the important original signed pages.
She held them tightly against her apron away from Victoria's reach.
Victoria gasped in anger as her grand plan began falling apart.
Victoria: Give those back or you will regret this forever!
Sarah: The master of the house will decide this matter today.
Heavy footsteps suddenly echoed from the long hallway outside the room.
Arthur had just returned early from his important downtown business meeting.
He walked through the grand double entrance carrying his thick briefcase.
He stopped dead in his tracks as he saw the scene.
Arthur: What is the meaning of all this noise today?
Victoria: Arthur, this crazy maid just attacked me out of nowhere!
Victoria instantly changed her tone to a desperate soft crying sound.
She pretended to wipe fake tears from her smooth flushed cheeks.
Victoria: She was trying to steal your private personal documents, dear!
Sarah held her head high and did not blink even once.
Sarah: That is a complete lie, Mr. Montgomery.
Arthur looked back and forth between the two determined women carefully.
He saw the child's legal trust stamp on the floor.
His sharp eyes narrowed as suspicion filled his quiet mind instantly.
Arthur: Sarah has served my family loyally for eight years.
Victoria: Are you taking the side of a maid over me?
Arthur: I am taking the side of the absolute truth here.