Evelyn leaned over the dark wrought-iron railing with a cold, triumphant smile on her face.
She took the heavy brass heirloom locket that belonged to the late wife from her pocket.
"This silly trinket was left for the child’s eighteenth birthday, was it not?" Evelyn laughed.
"Please put that down, it is the only thing her mother left her!" Sarah yelled back.
"It is worth a small fortune on its own," Evelyn said, holding it over the high ledge.
Sarah took a deep breath and began moving carefully toward the base of the staircase.
She needed to keep Evelyn focused on her so the woman would not destroy anything else.
"If Mr. Sterling finds out you touched those estate documents, he will be furious," Sarah said.
"Richard does whatever I tell him to do because he loves me!" Evelyn barked back arrogantly.
"He loves his daughter more than anything else in this whole world," Sarah reminded her.
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed into dark slits as she gripped the brass locket even tighter.
"He will believe that you stole the locket and dropped the papers yourself!" Evelyn claimed.
"No lawyer in this city will believe your false story over the written will!" Sarah retorted.
Evelyn suddenly let go of the brass heirloom, letting it crash hard onto the floor below.
The heavy metal piece struck the marble near the grand entrance with a loud metallic ring.
Baby Lily let out a loud, distressing scream as the sharp sound startled her completely.
"I've got you, sweetheart, you are safe with me," Sarah whispered, comforting the terrified baby.
Tears streamed down the infant’s cheeks as Sarah rocked her gently back and forth.
Evelyn reached for the remaining trust documents, preparing to drop them all down next.
"You will be blamed for all of this destruction, Sarah!" Evelyn yelled from the balcony ledge.
"You are acting like a monster just to steal money that isn't yours!" Sarah shouted out.
The air inside the bright foyer felt thick with extreme tension and rising danger.
Sarah backed away toward the heavy front double doors, shielding the crying child securely.
She knew she could not let Evelyn get anywhere near the young heir again.
Every second felt like an eternity as the woman above reached for more legal papers.
Sarah prayed that help would somehow arrive before Evelyn destroyed every last record.
She squeezed her eyes shut for a second and rocked the sobbing child in her arms.