Adrian sprinted across the polished floor toward the base of the staircase.
His face was pale with panic as he looked up at the scene above him.
Adrian: WHAT DID YOU DO?!
Victoria: She threw the stroller down the steps on purpose, Adrian!
Clara: That is not true, Mr. Miller!
Victoria: She was careless and lost her temper with the poor baby!
Victoria ran down the top steps, placing her arm around Adrian with trembling hands.
She pointed an accusing finger at the bruised maid kneeling on the landing.
Victoria: Fire her immediately before she hurts our family again!
Adrian looked at Clara with deep disappointment and rising anger in his eyes.
Clara held little Maya close against her chest, rocking the crying child gently.
Clara: I would never let anything bad happen to this sweet baby, sir.
Clara: Mrs. Miller pulled the handle while standing on the top marble step.
Victoria: She is lying to save her job, Adrian!
Victoria: Look at how untidy and incompetent she is!
Adrian ran his hand through his short dark hair, feeling completely torn and overwhelmed.
He had known Clara for years, and she had always been completely devoted to his daughter.
Yet his wife was standing beside him, weeping dramatically into a silk handkerchief.
The household security guard, Arthur, walked quickly into the foyer from the back hallway.
He held a digital tablet in his right hand, looking nervous about stepping forward.
Arthur: Excuse me, Mr. Miller, but you need to see something right now.
Victoria: Arthur, this is a private family emergency, so step away!
Arthur: The hallway security system recorded the entire incident on video, ma'am.
Adrian turned around sharply to face the security guard in the center room.
Adrian: Bring that screen over to me right this second, Arthur.
Victoria's face turned completely white as the guard handed over the device.
She reached out her hand quickly, trying to block the digital tablet screen.
Victoria: We don't need to look at silly camera clips while Maya is crying!
Adrian: Move your hand away from me right now, Victoria.
Adrian tapped the screen to play the high-definition security video from the hallway camera.
The quiet foyer suddenly felt like an icebox as the video began to play.