By eleven in the morning, the mansion was buzzing with tense energy.
Victoria walked down the hallway wearing an expensive gold sequin gown.
She looked completely dressed up for an evening gala rather than a quiet family afternoon.
Clara pushed the grey baby stroller carefully toward the top of the marble staircase.
Maya was sitting comfortably inside the padded seat, playing with a small plush bear.
Victoria stepped out from the library room and blocked Clara's path with a sharp look.
Victoria: Leave the stroller near the stairs right now.
Clara: Ma'am, it is safer if I take her straight down to the kitchen.
Victoria: Do as I say without talking back to me, Clara.
Victoria reached over and grabbed the stroller handle with unnecessary force.
Clara kept her hands firmly on the grip to prevent the stroller from tilting sideways.
The top step of the marble staircase was smooth and polished with fresh shine wax.
Victoria suddenly yanked the handle back while stepping backward onto the edge.
Her high heel slipped on the slick marble finish, causing her to lose balance instantly.
Instead of holding on to the rail, Victoria bumped hard against the stroller frame.
The heavy stroller lurched forward toward the edge of the steep flight of steps.
Clara gasped loudly and lunged forward with everything she had to stop it.
She grabbed the safety strap just as the front wheels slipped off the top step.
The sudden pull threw Clara off her feet, sending her falling hard against the steps.
She tumbled down several marble steps while holding tight to the stroller handle.
Her knees crashed against the hard stone, pain shooting straight through her legs.
Yet Clara refused to let go of the baby stroller for even a second.
She managed to wedge her body against the wall, bringing the stroller to a sudden halt.
The stroller remained upright and safe near the middle landing of the grand staircase.
Little Maya started crying from the sudden movement, but she was entirely unhurt.
Clara scrambled up frantically on her hands and knees on the cold marble floor.
Tears of shock and fear streamed down her bruised cheeks as she checked the baby.
At the top of the stairs, Victoria straightened her gold sequin dress quickly.
She raised her hands high in the air and began screaming at the top of her lungs.
Victoria: HELP!
Victoria: SHE PUSHED MY BABY!
Clara: I SAVED HER!
Clara shouted back through her hysterical sobs, shielding the stroller with her body.
The heavy oak front door slammed open down in the main lower foyer.
Adrian rushed inside, holding his leather briefcase and looking utterly horrified.