Sarah slowly stood up from the floor while cradling little Lily securely against her shoulder.
The toddler was still sobbing softly, clutching Sarah's apron with both of her tiny hands.
Elena walked down the curved staircase with slow, measured steps, her heels clicking on the stone.
She smoothed down her golden satin dress with a calm, indifferent look on her face.
She acted as though nothing terrible had almost happened in the foyer a few seconds ago.
Elena stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked down at Sarah with total contempt.
She told Sarah to hand the child over and keep her mouth shut about the vase falling.
Sarah refused to hand Lily over, stepping back toward the front entrance of the mansion.
She told Elena that leaving that safety gate open was an act of terrible neglect.
Elena laughed softly and warned Sarah that no one would ever take a maid's word over hers.
Suddenly, the massive front double doors burst open, letting the bright afternoon daylight flood inside.
David stood on the front threshold, carrying his leather briefcase and looking deeply confused.
He had returned home early from the office to pick up some legal documents for court.
David looked at the shattered porcelain spread across the white floor and his crying daughter.
He saw Sarah kneeling on the floor with bruised knees, holding Lily closely to protect her.
His face turned red with anger as he looked from the mess up to Elena's pale face.
He demanded to know what had just happened in his home while he was away.
Elena instantly changed her expression, putting on a worried mask of tears and fake concern.
She claimed that Sarah had been clumsy and knocked the expensive vase off the balcony table.
She told her husband that Sarah had almost caused Lily to trip and fall down the stairs.
Sarah stood her ground firmly and looked directly into David's panicked eyes.
She told him the exact truth about how Elena had stood by and watched Lily stumble.
David looked at the open balcony safety gate up above that he had specifically locked that morning.
He knew his daughter could never reach that high latch on her own without help.
A deep pulse of rage filled David's chest as he realized what kind of woman he married.
He took three fast strides toward Elena, his heavy dress shoes pounding on the marble floor.
He pointed his finger directly at Elena's face and shouted at the top of his lungs.
He demanded an immediate explanation for why the gate was left wide open.
Elena backed away against the bottom bannister, her fake tears disappearing instantly in fear.