Elena remained on the marble floor, hugging baby Leo tightly to keep him calm.
Tears of relief flowed freely down her cheeks as she checked the baby's tiny arms.
Elena: My poor baby, you are safe now with me.
Victoria: Give that child to me before I lose my patience entirely!
Elena: I will never let you touch this baby again!
Victoria reached down angrily, attempting to grab Elena by her collar.
Suddenly, the heavy front double doors of the mansion burst open downstairs.
Arthur Sterling stepped into the grand foyer, holding his leather briefcase.
He had returned early from the city after finishing his meetings sooner than expected.
The loud sound of baby Leo's desperate crying echoed through the high-ceilinged entrance hall.
Arthur looked up at the grand staircase in total shock and immediate panic.
He saw Elena sitting on the floor near the top landing, weeping over his crying son.
He saw Victoria standing over them with a red, furious face and clenched fists.
Arthur dropped his briefcase onto the floor and rushed up the stairs three steps at a time.
Arthur: What on earth is happening in my house?
Victoria: Arthur, thank goodness you arrived home right now!
Victoria: This careless maid dropped baby Leo near the stairs!
Elena: That is a complete lie, Mr. Sterling!
Elena stood up slowly, keeping a firm shield over baby Leo with her body.
She pointed a trembling finger directly at Victoria's shocked face.
Elena: She snatched him from his cradle and tried to throw his carrier down!
Victoria: Do not listen to her crazy lies, Arthur darling!
Victoria: It was an accident caused entirely by her clumsy movement!
Arthur looked back and forth between his nervous wife and the crying maid.
He noticed that Elena was trembling, but her eyes were steady and filled with truth.
He also saw that Victoria's expensive velvet dress was disheveled and her hands were shaking.
Arthur: Elena has served my family faithfully for over two years without fault.
Arthur: She loves my son more than anyone in this world.
Victoria: Are you taking the word of a servant over your wife?
Arthur: I am taking the word of the person who just saved my son!
Arthur stepped between Victoria and Elena, his tall frame blocking his wife entirely.
His face was pale with deep rage as he realized the true nature of the woman he married.
He reached out gently and took baby Leo into his own strong, protective arms.
The child instantly stopped crying as he recognized his father's warm touch and voice.
Arthur: You are safe now, my sweet boy, daddy is here.
Victoria: Arthur, please let me explain what really happened upstairs!
Arthur: Stop talking right now before I lose my control!