Elena: You think I am going to let a dead woman's child control this estate? You are very wrong, Clara!
Clara: Step back right now, Mrs. Vance! Mr. Vance will be down any minute! Think about what you are doing!
Elena: Arthur is in his home office on the opposite side of the east wing. He cannot hear a single word!
Clara: Please, Elena! I will take Lily and leave! I will resign today and take her far away if that is what you want!
Elena: Oh, you would love that, wouldn't you? You would run to the police or a divorce lawyer and tell them everything!
Clara: I won't say a word to anyone! Just hand me the baby! Please, I am asking you on my knees!
Clara dropped to her knees on the hard stone floor, her hands clasped together in desperate plea. Up on the balcony, Elena only laughed, a cold and bitter sound that echoed through the vast open space of the grand foyer.
Elena: It is far too late for deal-making, Clara. I signed a prenup agreement before marrying Arthur, and do you know what it says?
Clara: I don't care about your prenup! Just save the baby!
Elena: If Arthur dies or divorces me, everything goes into a trust fund for this little girl until she turns twenty-one! I get nothing! Not a single cent of his millions, his property, or his stock portfolio!
Clara: That is his choice! It is his money and his late wife's legacy!
Elena: But if the child is gone, the prenup clause changes completely. The entire estate, including the life insurance policy, reverts directly to the legal spouse! That means me!
Clara: You are insane! You are talking about murdering a baby for money!
Elena: It won't be murder. It will be a tragic, terrible accident. A careless nanny left the crib unlocked, and the poor baby crawled over the edge while everyone was busy!
Clara: Nobody will ever believe that lie! Lily cannot even climb over a chair, let alone a balcony railing!
Elena: They will believe whatever I tell them! I have money, prestige, and high-priced defense attorneys on retainer! Who are they going to listen to? A grieving stepmother or a maid who makes minimum wage?
Clara: I will tell the police every single word you just said! I will testify against you in court!
Elena: You won't have the chance, Clara. Because by the time you run up these ten flights of stairs, it will all be over!
Clara: Don't do this! I am begging you in the name of God, don't do it!
Elena: Look at her, crying for a mother who isn't coming back. Well, you can go join her now!
Elena tightened her fingers around the toddler's clothes one last time, holding her completely out over the open empty air of the high foyer.
Clara: No! No! Stop!
Elena: GET OUT OF MY LIFE!
With a cruel, heartless shout, Elena opened her hands completely and pushed the baby off the edge into the empty air.
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