Adrian's face turned from pure fear to violent rage in less than a second as he absorbed his wife's frantic words. He looked down at Elena, who was still kneeling on the cold floor holding little Clara securely inside her tired arms. Elena looked up at her wealthy employer with wide, tear-filled eyes, gasping for breath as she tried to pull herself upright against the base of the grand wooden staircase. The pain in her twisted ankle was burning intensely, but the fear in her heart felt ten times worse as she saw the dark anger in Adrian's eyes.
Adrian: What did you do to my daughter!
Adrian shouted loudly, his booming voice echoing off the high ceilings of the luxury foyer like a thunderclap. Before Elena could speak a single word of truth, Adrian stepped forward and grabbed her forcefully by both shoulders. His strong hands gripped the thin fabric of her grey maid uniform, pulling her up slightly as his face burned with deep anger just inches away from hers. Elena gasped in pain, holding baby Clara tight against her chest so the child would not fall from her weak grip.
Elena: Mr. Vance, please! I did not push her! I caught the stroller!
Victoria: She is lying, Adrian! I saw her with my own eyes! She pushed the carriage from the top landing!
Victoria cried out dramatically, stepping behind Adrian and placing her hands over her mouth as if she were completely broken by grief. She had spent months trying to convince Adrian to sign a new prenuptial agreement and cut off extra expenses, and now she saw her golden chance to eliminate the loyal maid who always kept a careful eye on the household finances. Victoria knew that if Elena were fired and arrested today, no one would be left inside the house to question her sudden movements around the family trust fund papers.
Elena: Mrs. Vance is the one who pushed it! She shoved the handle with both hands!
Adrian: Shut your mouth! How dare you blame my wife for your terrible negligence! You almost killed my tiny baby!
Adrian roared, his hands shaking with intense anger as he shook the maid's shoulders again. Elena sobbed quietly, the total helplessness of her lower position crushing down on her like a heavy iron weight. She was just a simple worker earning an hourly wage, while Victoria was a wealthy woman in a gold dress who shared Adrian's rich lifestyle and luxurious bedroom. Elena knew that rich men like Adrian rarely believed the desperate word of a humble servant when accused by their own family members.
Victoria: Call the police right now, Adrian! Throw this crazy woman out of our home before she hurts someone else!
Adrian reached into his dark blue shirt pocket to pull out his luxury phone, his face twisted in deep disgust as he stared down at Elena. Elena pulled the crying baby closer to her chest, her tears falling fast onto Clara's soft blanket as she realized her entire life and clean reputation were about to be ruined forever. But suddenly, quick light footsteps sounded from the wide upper hallway balcony above them, breaking through the noisy dramatic cries of the lying stepmother.
Sarah: Dad, wait! Stop right now!