Over the next few days, the tension inside the mansion became almost unbearable.
Richard installed hidden security cameras throughout the major rooms of the house.
He kept his phone connected to the live camera feeds during every workday.
Victoria noticed that Richard was acting more distant and guarded than usual.
She began to worry that her secret phone call had been overheard earlier.
Desperation drove her to act faster before Richard could change any legal documents.
On Friday morning, Richard pretended to leave the house for an important meeting.
He started his car in the driveway and drove out through the gate.
However, he parked down the street and watched the house on his phone screen.
Inside the mansion, Victoria walked upstairs toward Maya's second-floor bedroom doorway.
She grabbed Maya's arm roughly and dragged her toward the high balcony landing.
huge American flag hung on the white foyer wall near that landing.
The landing overlooked the hard marble floor of the main foyer below.
Maya began to cry loudly because she was terrified of the high ledge.
Maya: Let me go! I want my daddy home now!
Victoria: Quiet down, you little brat! You ruin everything for me!
Maya: Please, stepmom, you are hurting my arm so bad!
Victoria: You don't belong here! This house is mine now!
Victoria held the small girl over the decorative balcony railing near the flag.
Maya screamed in terror as her small shoes dangled above the marble floor.
Richard watched the live video stream on his phone and gasped in horror.
He slammed his foot on the accelerator and sped back toward the mansion.
His car tires shrieked as he pulled into the long stone driveway fast.
Inside the foyer, Victoria heard the heavy front door burst wide open below.
She panicked and tried to pull Maya back over the railing quickly.
However, Maya slipped on the edge and fell toward the open staircase landing.
The child let out a piercing scream that echoed through the high ceiling.
Richard rushed into the foyer right as the terrifying moment was unfolding.
He sprinted across the polished marble floor with outstretched arms under the flag.
His grey suit jacket flapped behind him as he dove across the floor.
He slid hard across the marble and caught Maya right before impact.
The force of the catch brought them both sliding against the bottom wall.
Richard held his little girl tight against his chest as she sobbed wildly.
Richard: I've got you Maya! You are safe now, daddy's here!
Maya: Daddy! I was so scared! She pushed me!
Richard felt his heart racing wildly as he rocked his weeping child safe.