Ethan set his heavy briefcase down on the long wooden console table quickly.
He looked between Victoria crying on the armchair and Elena holding his baby boy.
Baby Leo was still crying softly while burying his face in Elena's warm shoulder.
Ethan: Victoria, why are you sitting on the floor crying like this?
Victoria: Ethan, your crazy maid attacked me the moment I tried to sit down!
Victoria: I brought sweet gifts for baby Leo, but she tackled me to the carpet!
Ethan turned his sharp brown eyes toward Elena, waiting for her explanation of events.
Elena took a deep breath to steady her calm voice before speaking up clearly.
Elena: Sir, she is lying to cover up what she almost did to your son.
Ethan: Tell me everything that happened right now, Elena, line by line.
Elena: She poured freezing ice from the silver bucket right over baby Leo's crib.
Elena: I tackled her away to shield the infant before the cold ice landed.
Victoria jumped up from the armchair with an outraged look on her slick face.
Victoria: That is an absolute lie, Ethan, she tripped over her own clumsy feet!
Victoria: She knocked over the iced tea tray and then blamed me to save her job!
Ethan looked down at the scattered ice cubes slowly melting on the expensive Persian rug.
He noticed the brass ice bucket laying right beside the baby's soft sofa pillows.
It was clear the bucket had been lifted high near the baby's resting place.
Ethan's face grew very pale as he realized the horrible danger his son faced.
He walked closer to Elena and gently took baby Leo into his strong arms.
The little boy stopped crying as soon as his father held him close.
Ethan: Are you okay, my sweet little prince?
Ethan checked Leo's warm hands and face, making sure he was completely unharmed.
He felt a massive surge of relief knowing his child was safe and dry.
Then he turned around slowly to face Victoria with total fury in his eyes.
Ethan: You thought you could come into my home and hurt my child?
Victoria: Ethan, please listen to me, she is framing me because she wants money!