Officer Miller: Ma'am, place your hands behind your back. Do not make this harder than it needs to be.
Margarethe: Get off me! This is my house!
Arthur: It was never your house. It was my family's home, and you were just a guest who overstayed her welcome.
Two city police officers stepped out of the private elevator, their handcuffs rattling quietly against their leather utility belts. Nunn walked out from the hallway study, holding little Leo safely wrapped in a warm fleece blanket. The baby was finally calm, staring innocently at the crowd of adults.
Police Officer: Mr. Vance? We got the emergency call regarding an attempted infant assault.
Arthur: Yes, Officer. Here is my phone with the direct video recording taken by my maid, Nunn.
The lead police officer took the smartphone from Arthur's hand, pressing play on the clip. The room fell into a heavy, suffocating silence as the officer watched Margarethe holding the steaming kettle directly above the sleeping baby's head, right up until Nunn intervened.
Police Officer: This is very clear evidence. Ma'am, you are under arrest for attempted felony child endangerment and assault.
Margarethe: No! You don't understand the context! It was a joke! A prank for a social media video!
Police Officer: A prank with boiling water over an infant? Save it for the judge, ma'am.
The officer grabbed Margarethe's wrists, pulling them firmly behind her back and snapping the steel handcuffs around her wrists. Margarethe burst into genuine tears, her makeup smearing down her cheeks as all her confidence evaporated into pure panic.
Margarethe: Arthur! Tell them to stop! I'll leave! I'll pack my bags and leave the state! You'll never hear from me again!
Arthur: You're right. I won't hear from you again, because you'll be behind bars awaiting your trial hearing.
Margarethe: Nunn, tell them! Tell them I didn't mean it!
Nunn: I saw the look in your eyes, Miss Margarethe. You knew exactly what you were doing. You didn't care about that baby at all.
Margarethe: You ruin everything, you stupid maid!
Police Officer: Let's go, ma'am. Move your feet.
The officers turned Margarethe around, steering her forcibly toward the open elevator doors. She kicked her heels against the hardwood floor, screaming and cursing all the way until the metallic doors slid shut, sealing her voice away forever.
Arthur: Nunn... I don't even know how to thank you. If you hadn't walked into that room with your phone ready...
Nunn: I had a bad feeling about her for weeks, Mr. Vance. I noticed how she looked at Leo whenever you weren't watching. I kept my camera ready because I wanted to protect this family.
Arthur: You saved my son's life today. A simple thank you isn't enough.
Nunn: Seeing him safe in my arms is enough for me, sir.
Arthur: No, it's not. As of today, your salary is tripled, Nunn. And I want you to take over as the head estate manager of this house permanently.
Nunn: Mr. Vance, that's... that's too generous!
Arthur: It's the least I can do for the person who actually showed real love and loyalty in this home.
Leave a Comment