The bright morning sun poured into the high ceilings of the luxury mansion foyer.
Sarah adjusted her plain white apron as she finished wiping down the marble tables.
She had worked for the Sterling family for nearly three full years now.
Her main duty was making sure little six year old Lily was happy and healthy.
Lily was a sweet quiet girl who missed her biological mother very deeply.
David Sterling was a very busy CEO who ran a huge investment company in town.
He cared about his daughter more than anything else in the entire world.
However, six months ago he had married a cold socialite named Clara.
Clara wore expensive red silk robes and treated the house staff like complete garbage.
She always made unreasonable demands and snapped at anyone who got in her way.
Sarah tried her best to avoid Clara whenever it was reasonably possible.
On this particular morning, Lily was playing softly on the second story landing.
Sarah noticed a polished wooden toy lying right near the top of the grand stairs.
She realized that the heavy red silk robe of Clara was swishing down the hall.
Clara stepped toward the stairs and deliberately nudged the toy toward the edge.
Lily reached out to pick up her favorite toy without noticing the steep drop.
Sarah felt her stomach drop instantly as she saw the girl lose her balance.
Sarah: Lily, watch out for the edge!
Sarah sprinted across the polished marble floor with incredible raw speed.
She reached the bottom landing and rushed up the first three wide stairs.
Lily stumbled slightly on the smooth hardwood floor right near the top banister.
Sarah lunged forward and caught the young child safely in her arms.
They both slid onto the soft carpet of the upper hallway completely unharmed.
Lily began to cry loudly out of pure sudden fright and deep surprise.
Sarah: I have got you, sweetheart, you are completely safe now.
Sarah rocked the small girl back and forth while stroking her golden hair.
Instead of showing relief, Clara let out a sharp dramatic gasp of anger.
Clara: Get your filthy hands off her immediately, you reckless fool!
Sarah: Mrs. Sterling, she almost tripped on that loose wooden toy!
Clara: Do not lie to me when I saw you pull her right toward the banister!
Clara shouted down from the upper hallway so loudly that the walls shook.
Sarah held the crying child tightly while staring up in complete disbelief.
She could not understand why Clara was twisting the terrible event so viciously.
Clara adjusted her red silk robe and marched halfway down the sweeping staircase.
She pointed a long red fingernail right at Sarah with pure cruel malice.
Clara: You intentionally put my stepdaughter in danger to make me look bad!
Sarah: I would never ever allow any harm to come to little Lily!
Clara: You are a hired maid who does not belong in this grand house!
Before Sarah could say another word, the heavy wooden front doors swung open.
David Sterling walked inside while holding a sleek leather briefcase in his hand.
He stopped dead in his tracks as the frantic screaming echoed around him.