The morning sun shone brightly through the tall foyer windows of the grand lakeside mansion.
Richard stepped into the wide hallway after returning early from a very long business trip in Chicago.
He was looking forward to seeing his young daughter and taking a well deserved rest from his work.
His family business was growing rapidly, but his mind was strictly focused on his family today.
However, the house felt strangely tense as soon as he crossed the heavy front door threshold.
He dropped his expensive leather briefcase on the soft rug near the main entryway table.
Suddenly, he heard raised voices echoing down from the grand staircase on the second floor balcony.
His heart started beating much faster as he recognized the sharp tone of his sister Evelyn.
Evelyn had moved into the home two weeks ago after losing her own luxury apartment downtown.
She had always been jealous of Richard's wealth and his happy marriage with his kind wife.
Richard walked quickly toward the center of the foyer to see what was causing the commotion.
He spotted Sarah, the devoted family nanny, standing near the bottom steps looking up in terror.
Sarah was clutching little lily close to her chest with both of her shaking hands.
The little baby was wrapped tightly in a soft pink blanket and was crying softly.
Evelyn was standing on the upper landing wearing an expensive gold dress and looking very angry.
Her face was bright red as she shouted down at the poor terrified nanny below.
"I told you to leave that baby in the crib!" Evelyn yelled with a harsh tone.
Sarah took a slow step backward away from the stairs as she held the baby tight.
"I am taking care of her as I was asked to do," Sarah replied softly.
Richard felt a sudden surge of anger washing over his entire body as he listened.
He raised his clear voice and called out loudly to demand an immediate explanation from them.
"What on earth is happening in this home right now?" Richard shouted across the floor.
Evelyn froze on the top step as soon as she heard her brother's stern voice.
Her sudden anger quickly transformed into a look of sheer panic and intense fear.
She adjusted her fancy outfit and started walking down the white marble steps very quickly.
"Richard, you are home so early!" Evelyn exclaimed with a fake, nervous smile on her face.
Sarah rushed over to Richard's side immediately with tears welling up in her wide eyes.
"Mr. Richard, thank goodness you are finally here," Sarah said with a trembling voice.
"She was holding the baby far too close to the open balcony railing upstairs!"
Richard felt his breath catch sharply in his chest as he heard those awful words.
He looked directly at his sister as she reached the bottom of the marble staircase.
"Is this true, Evelyn?" Richard asked in a dangerously quiet and firm voice.
Evelyn threw her hands up into the air in a dramatic gesture of complete innocence.
"She is lying to you, Richard!" Evelyn shrieked while pointing a sharp finger at Sarah.
"I just slipped on the rug! It was a complete accident!" Evelyn insisted frantically.
"I would never ever endanger my own sweet little niece on purpose!"
Richard looked at Sarah's pale face and then looked back at his sister's shifting eyes.
He knew that Sarah had worked for his family loyally for over five full years.
She had never lied to him about anything, big or small, in all that time.
Evelyn, on the other hand, had a long history of deceit and selfish, petty behavior.
"Hand the baby to me, Sarah," Richard said softly as he stepped closer to her.
Sarah carefully handed the small child over into Richard's safe, strong arms.
Richard looked down at his precious daughter and felt an overwhelming need to protect her.
He turned his gaze back to Evelyn, his eyes burning with intense anger and disappointment.
"You need to answer my questions right now, Evelyn," Richard commanded with extreme authority.
"Tell me the absolute truth about what just happened up on that balcony floor."