The metallic sound of the blades cutting through thread filled the high-ceilinged room.
Individual pearls burst loose from the string and scattered across the wooden floor like hail.
Clara gasped in shock as the tension on the necklace suddenly vanished.
The sudden loss of resistance caused her foot to slide backward off the top step.
Her balance snapped, and her arms flailed wildly in the open air above the foyer.
Clara: AAAAAH!
Evelyn stepped back, her face devoid of emotion as Clara fell backward over the railing edge.
The air rushed past Clara's ears as she plunged toward the hard marble below.
Loose pearls bounced off the walls and plummeted beside her in a rain of white dots.
She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the brutal impact with the stone floor.
Suddenly, the heavy front doors burst open with a loud wooden crack.
Mark sprinted across the foyer, his eyes locked onto the falling figure above.
He dove across the slick marble floor, extending both arms as far as he could reach.
His heavy leather jacket slid against the polished stone with a harsh scrape.
Mark caught Clara securely against his chest just inches above the floor.
The force of the catch sent them sliding together into the base of the staircase wall.
A framed American flag hanging above them rattled slightly against its brass mounts.
Mark took a deep, ragged breath and held Clara tightly against his torso.
Mark: I've got you, Clara, I've got you!
Clara opened her eyes, her chest heaving as tears streamed down her cheeks.
She clung to the lapels of his leather jacket with shaking hands.
Clara: She cut it... She tried to destroy the only thing I had left!
Mark: Breathe, Clara, just stay still for a second.
Mark gently shifted her to sit safely against the wall, checking her arms and legs for injuries.
Mark: Are you hurt anywhere? Did you hit the steps?
Clara: No, you caught me... but the pearls are everywhere.
Mark slowly stood up, his posture rigid as he turned his head slowly upward.
Evelyn was leaning over the second-floor balcony railing, holding the silver scissors in her hand.
Her face was calm, though a slight twitch appeared at the corner of her jaw.
Evelyn: You are trespassing on private property, Mark.
Mark: You almost killed your own niece over a piece of paper!
Evelyn: It was an unfortunate slip on polished floorboards.
Mark: I saw what you did with those scissors, Evelyn.
Evelyn: No court in Texas will take the word of an unregistered contractor against mine.
Mark reached down and helped Clara stand up, keeping one protective arm around her waist.
Mark: We are not going to the probate meeting tonight.
Clara: Mark, the estate meeting starts in thirty minutes.
Mark: We are calling the district attorney and the police right now.
Evelyn: Don't be ridiculous, this is an internal family estate matter!
Mark: I will handle her, Clara, I promise you that.
Mark reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone as Evelyn's eyes narrowed.