The bright morning light poured through the tall windows of the mansion foyer, making the white marble floors shine like glass.
Clara: She pushed her!
Seven-year-old Lily pointed a shaking finger toward the top of the grand double staircase, her voice echoing in the vast room.
At the bottom of the steps, an elderly woman lay crumpled on the hard stone, her pale hand clutching her hip as she groaned in pain.
Arthur: Mom! Don't move, just stay still!
Arthur dropped to his knees beside his mother, his navy suit jacket straining as he gently lifted her shoulder.
Eleanor: I didn't... fall...
The old woman's voice was barely a whisper, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Victoria: It was an accident! I swear she just slipped on her gown!
Victoria stood at the top of the landing, clutching her glittering gold sequin dress while the maid beside her backed away in terror.
Lily: She used both hands to push her!
The young blonde girl stared up at the stairs, her big blue eyes filled with absolute certainty as she stood firm beside her father.
Victoria: She's just a child! Arthur, don't listen to her, she's making up stories!
Victoria shouted down defensively, her voice pitching high with growing panic.
Arthur looked down at his injured mother, then up at his fiancée standing high above them in gold sequins.
The air in the grand foyer grew completely still, cold and heavy with sudden fury.
Arthur slowly stood up, his jaw clenched tight as his knuckles turned white at his sides.
He didn't say a single word as he took the first step up the marble stairs, his heavy leather shoes echoing against the stone like thunder.
Victoria took a step back, her face going pale as she realized there was nowhere left to run.
Arthur reached the landing in three long strides, his eyes burning with pure rage as he confronted the woman who had targeted his family.