The cold pool water soaked through Clara's uniform as she hauled herself over the edge, gasping for breath while clutching the baby tight to her chest[cite: 4]. Richard burst through the French doors just in seconds, his face pale and twisted with absolute panic as he reached for the infant[cite: 4].
Richard: I got him! Is he safe?
Clara collapsed onto her knees on the wooden deck, her wet clothes clinging to her shivering frame as she sobbed uncontrollably[cite: 4].
Clara: He's breathing! Thank God he's breathing!
Before Richard could even catch his breath, the back door slammed open and Victoria marched out onto the patio, her face contorted with pure fury[cite: 4].
Victoria: She pushed him in! I saw the whole thing from the kitchen window!
Clara's eyes widened in sheer disbelief as she looked up from the wet boards, clutching her cheek in pure shock[cite: 4].
Clara: What? Are you insane? I jumped in to save him from the pool!
Richard pulled the baby closer to his chest, his dark eyes shifting between the two women with a dangerous, chilling intensity[cite: 4].
Richard: What did you just say, Clara?
Clara pointed a shaking finger toward the stroller parked near the hedge, tears streaming down her pale face[cite: 4].
Clara: No, I saved him, please! Look at the stroller! Look at the security camera right there!
Richard followed her frantic gaze toward the motorized security camera mounted discreetly among the trimmed boxwoods[cite: 4].
Richard: Then we'll watch the camera footage right now[cite: 4].
Victoria's confident sneer faltered for a fraction of a second, her hands tightening into fists as the reality of the surveillance system set in[cite: 4]. Clara held her breath, knowing that every single second of what really happened on the pool deck was permanently recorded on the estate's high-definition hard drive.
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