Victoria stood right next to the white painted wooden railing of the upper balcony.
The drop down to the hard marble foyer floor was nearly twenty feet straight.
Lily whimpered softly while twisting her small shoulders in fear.
Victoria: Be quiet, you little brat.
Victoria raised the toddler directly over the top of the protective balcony rail.
Elena gasped in horror behind the pillar as her eyes opened wide.
Victoria: Oops, bye bye!
Victoria intentionally opened her hands and let the innocent toddler fall into empty space.
Elena did not hesitate for even a single second.
She abandoned her feather duster and sprinted out into the open upper hallway.
She darted down the first three steps of the staircase at full speed.
Seeing she could not reach the bottom in time, Elena dove across the slick floor.
She slid hard on her knees across the smooth marble floor with arms outstretched.
Elena: I've got you, baby!
The small child fell directly into Elena's outstretched arms just inches above the floor.
The impact knocked the breath out of Elena's lungs as she hit the ground.
She rolled onto her side to absorb the heavy force of the terrifying fall.
Lily burst into loud hysterics, clinging tightly to Elena's gray uniform collar.
Elena held the small toddler close to her chest and wept in deep relief.
Elena: Shh, you're safe now... You're okay!
The sound of fast heels clattered loudly down the white marble steps.
Victoria marched into the center of the foyer with a bright red face.
Victoria: Give me that child right now!
Elena pressed her back against the bottom step and shielded Lily with her body.
Elena: Stay away from her, Victoria!
Victoria: You are a low-life maid, hand her over before I ruin your life!
Victoria reached out her manicured hand to snatch the toddler by her arm.
Elena turned her shoulder to block the woman's aggressive advance.
The heavy front double doors of the mansion suddenly burst wide open.
The loud bang echoed off the marble walls into the high vaulted ceiling.
Richard Sterling stepped into the entry foyer wearing his beige three-piece suit.
He had returned early from his meeting to surprise his young family for lunch.
His face went completely pale as he took in the dramatic scene before him.
Richard: Stop right there! What are you doing?!