Clara: Goodbye, Eleanor! Have a nice fall!
Eleanor: Somebody help me! Please!
The air rushed past Eleanor as she plummeted toward the pristine marble floor of the foyer. Above her, Clara stood at the edge of the balustrade, watching with a dark, triumphant expression.
Down in the foyer, the front double doors burst open. Julian leaped through the entrance, his eyes locking onto the falling woman in an instant.
Julian: Eleanor! Hang on!
Julian sprinted across the foyer with unbelievable speed, his heavy footsteps echoing loudly across the marble floor. He didn't hesitate for a fraction of a second.
Eleanor: Julian! Help!
Julian: I've got you!
Crossing the distance in a frantic dash, Julian threw his body forward in a mid-air dive just as Eleanor reached the bottom of her fall. He caught her securely in his arms, absorbing the heavy impact as they both rolled safely across the floor.
Julian: Ugh... I got you. You're safe. I've got you.
They skidded to a halt near the grand staircase. Eleanor clung tightly to Julian's suit jacket, her chest heaving as tears streamed down her terrified face.
Eleanor: You... you saved my life! Oh god, Julian, you saved me!
Julian: Shh, don't move. Just breathe, Eleanor. Are you hurt anywhere?
Eleanor: I... I don't think so. My heart is racing so fast. She pushed me, Julian! Clara pushed me!
Julian: I saw her. I saw everything.
Julian slowly lifted his head, looking up toward the balcony where Clara was still peering over the railing, her face pale with shock at his sudden appearance.
Clara: Julian? How... how did you get in here so fast?
Julian: You monster! You actually tried to murder her in broad daylight!
Clara: It was an accident! She tripped over her own robe!
Eleanor: That's a lie! She shoved me with both hands!
Julian: Stay right there, Clara. Don't you dare move a single inch.
Clara: Julian, listen to reason! She's trying to ruin our family estate! She's stealing my mother's money!
Julian: Shut your mouth! There is no excuse for what you just did!
Julian gently set Eleanor down on the marble floor, making sure she was comfortable and uninjured before standing up.
Eleanor: Julian, please don't leave my side. I'm scared she's going to try something else.
Julian: She won't touch you ever again. I promise you that, Eleanor.
Julian pulled his smartphone out from his suit pocket with a sharp, furious motion, his thumb aggressively tapping the screen to dial emergency services.
Julian: Get the police and an ambulance here immediately! A woman was just assaulted and thrown from an upper balcony at the Vance Mansion!
Operator: Sir, is the victim conscious? Are officers needed urgently?
Julian: She is conscious, but the attacker is still upstairs inside the house! Send police units right now before she attempts to flee the scene!
Operator: Units are dispatched and on their way to your location now, sir.
Julian: Make sure they hurry. This is attempted murder.
Julian ended the call and shoved the phone back into his pocket, his jaw clenched tight as he glared up at Clara.
Clara: You called the police on me? On your own stepsister?
Julian: You crossed the line, Clara. You belong in a cell.