Mark set his leather briefcase down on the shiny entryway table.
His heart beat fast as he walked over to comfort his young son.
He gently took Leo into his broad arms and lifted him up.
The boy wrapped his arms around his father's neck, still sobbing loudly.
Mark: Shh, daddy has you now. Tell me what happened, Leo.
Leo: Brenda stepped on my foot, daddy! She pushed me hard!
Mark felt his face turn flush with deep anger and confusion.
He glared at Brenda, who was standing nervously near the door.
Brenda: Mark, you cannot believe a silly three-year-old child!
Brenda: He lost his balance because his knit socks were slippery!
Elena: He was completely barefoot, ma'am. I saw your heel touch him!
Brenda: Shut your mouth, Elena! You are just a hired worker here!
Brenda: You have been trying to ruin my marriage since day one!
Elena stood her ground and refused to back down from the fight.
She had worked for Mark's family for over five whole years.
She loved little Leo like he was her own flesh and blood.
She knew Brenda was after Mark's money from the very beginning.
Elena: I care about this family, sir. She only cares about your money.
Brenda: That is an absolute lie! Mark, fire this crazy woman right now!
Mark raised his hand to stop the intense shouting match immediately.
The mansion foyer had become completely filled with terrible tension.
He looked at the stairs, then down at Leo's small bare feet.
There was a clear red mark across the top of the boy's left foot.
It looked exactly like the imprint of a narrow high heel shoe.
Mark felt a sickening knot form deep inside his stomach.
He looked back up at Brenda's defensive, angry face.
Mark: Did you touch my son, Brenda?
Brenda: Of course not! Why would I ever hurt your child?
Brenda: I love him like my own son, Mark. You know that.
Little Leo shifted in his father's arms and pointed upward.
His small hand directed Mark's gaze toward the high ceiling corner.
Leo: Look up there, daddy! The camera was watching her!
Mark looked up at the sleek black security dome mounted high above.
A tiny red recording light was blinking steadily on the device.
Mark had installed a state-of-the-art security system two years ago.
It recorded high-definition video with full crystal-clear audio feeds.
Brenda's eyes widened with pure terror as she glanced upward.
She had completely forgotten about the hidden corner cameras.
She had assumed the device was just a dummy alarm sensor.
Mark: We don't need to argue anymore, Brenda.
Mark: The security footage will show us the absolute truth right now.
Brenda: Mark, wait! There is no need to check the cameras!
Brenda: Maybe I accidentally bumped into him while walking down!
Brenda: It was just a horrible accident! I swear it was!
Mark looked at her with total disappointment in his dark eyes.
Her sudden change in story proved that she was lying to him.
Mark: You said you didn't touch him at all a minute ago.
Elena: Come into the study, sir. I have the security tablet ready.
Elena walked toward the main hallway leading to the office room.
Mark followed her carrying Leo tightly against his chest.
Brenda stood alone in the grand entrance, trembling with sudden panic.
She knew that her secret life was about to shatter completely.