Arthur Sterling stepped through the thick double doors carrying his leather briefcase after his short morning meeting.
He stopped dead in his tracks as the tense atmosphere inside his foyer instantly hit him like ice.
His young daughter was weeping loudly in the protective arms of their tired house maid on the floor.
His new wife stood over them on the bottom step with her hand raised in sharp anger.
Arthur: What on earth is happening inside my house while I am supposed to be at work?
Victoria: Oh my darling husband, thank goodness you arrived home early to save me from this disaster!
Victoria instantly changed her expression, putting on a tearful face of helpless fear and gentle concern.
She rushed toward Arthur, wrapping her arms around his coat while pointing a finger at poor Elena.
Victoria: This careless maid dropped your late wife's precious diamond locket down the high marble staircase!
Elena: That is completely untrue, Sir Arthur, she grabbed it from Clara and tossed it over!
Victoria: How dare you lie to my husband after risking his small daughter's safety with your carelessness!
Arthur looked back and forth between his weeping wife and the trembling maid holding his quiet child.
He walked over to Elena, kneeling down on the bright marble floor to check on little Clara.
The toddler reached out her tiny arms toward her loving father, handing him the silver box safely.
Arthur: Clara is shaking, Victoria, and she only acts this way when she feels very scared.
Victoria: She is terrified because this incompetent servant created a huge scene inside our peaceful home!
Elena: Sir, I have worked for your family for five years and never lied to you once.
Elena: Mrs. Sterling told me earlier today that she wanted all of Evelyn's items completely destroyed.
Victoria gasped loudly, pulling out a silk handkerchief to dab away her fake tears in drama.
Victoria: Arthur, are you going to let a simple employee speak to your lawful wife this way?
Arthur: I want the exact truth about what happened on these stairs while I was away today.
Victoria: Fire her immediately and call the police to take her away for stolen property and lies!
Arthur stood up slowly, looking deeply into his wife's eyes with a quiet, growing sense of suspicion.
He remembered how Victoria had recently asked him to change his legal will and trust fund documents.
She had wanted full control over Clara's future inheritance in case anything bad ever happened to him.
Arthur: Before I call anyone, we are going to look at something very important in my office.
Victoria: What could possibly be in your office that matters more than my deep personal distress now?
Arthur: The new security cameras I had installed high on the foyer ceiling just yesterday morning.