Richard Sterling stepped into the bright foyer, flanked by two large security guards in black suits.
Richard was wearing a crisp maroon suit, his face tired from the long flight back home.
He froze immediately near the doorway as he took in the shocking scene before him.
His young son was sobbing on the marble floor in the arms of a housemaid.
His new wife was standing nearby, her face twisted in a severe and ugly scowl.
The heavy wooden doors clicked shut behind the bodyguards, creating a sudden, heavy silence.
Richard walked forward into the foyer, his dark eyes narrowing as his anger flared up.
Richard: What on earth is happening in this house?
Victoria: Oh, Richard, thank goodness you are finally home!
Victoria changed her tone instantly, wiping away fake tears as she rushed toward her husband.
Victoria: The maid was being careless and caused poor Leo to fall down!
Elena: That is a complete lie, Mr. Sterling!
Victoria: Silence! You are fired from this house right now!
Elena held Leo tighter, standing up slowly while keeping the boy close to her side.
Little Leo pointed his shaking finger directly at Victoria's red sequin gown with clear terror.
Leo: Daddy, she pushed me down the stairs!
Victoria: Leo, darling, you are confused because you hit your head!
Leo: No! She shouted at me and pushed me!
Richard looked from his crying son to the maid, and then finally to his new wife.
He saw the sheer panic flickering in Victoria's eyes despite her calm, practiced smile.
Richard had trusted Victoria completely, but he loved his only son more than anything else.
The doubt in his mind grew into a hot flame of rage as he looked around.
Elena stepped forward courageously, looking directly into her employer's stern, dark eyes.
Elena: Mr. Sterling, please look at the security cameras in the upper hallway.
Victoria gasped sharply, her face turning pale as she turned to face the maid again.
Victoria: The cameras are private property, Richard! Do not listen to this servant!
Richard: Turn on the security feed right now!
Richard shouted the order to his head security guard standing near the double doors.
The guard pulled out a high-tech tablet instantly and tapped the screen multiple times quickly.