Julian: What is that video on your screen, Lily?
Lily: It's the security camera feed from the hallway upstairs!
Julian: I turned those cameras off two days ago for maintenance!
Lily: You turned off the main system, Uncle Julian. You didn't know I set up my own webcam for my school project!
Julian's face went completely pale as he stared at the digital timestamp on the laptop display.
Julian: That... that can't be real. That timestamp says four o'clock this afternoon.
Mrs. Sterling leaned heavily against the sofa, her hands shaking as she pulled her lace handkerchief to her bruised cheek.
Mrs. Sterling: Julian... how could you strike your own mother in front of the staff?
Julian: Mother, I lost my temper! I thought you were covering up for Clara's stealing!
Clara: I never stole a single penny from this family! I've worked here for four years!
Julian: Shut up, Clara! I'm still talking to my family!
Lily: Don't yell at her! Look at the screen right now, Uncle Julian!
Lily pointed her finger at the crisp surveillance video playing on the loop.
Lily: Look who walked into Grandmother's dressing room while Clara was downstairs getting tea!
Julian: That's... that's Richard?
On the high-definition video, Julian's younger brother Richard stepped into the dressing room, checked his surroundings, and pulled open the top velvet drawer of the vanity table.
Mrs. Sterling: Richard? My youngest son took his own grandmother's wedding ring?
Richard stepped out from the library doorway, holding a half-empty glass of whiskey in his hand.
Richard: It's not what it looks like, Mother.
Julian: You let me blame the staff for your mess?!
Richard: You were the one screaming like a maniac, Julian! You didn't even ask questions before hitting Mother!
Julian: Because you told me Clara was the only person upstairs at four o'clock!
Richard took a slow sip from his glass, stepping into the bright light of the foyer chandeliers.
Richard: I needed cash fast, Julian. You know how much debt I owe to the gambling syndicate downtown.
Mrs. Sterling: You stole from your own family to pay off illegal gambling debts?
Mrs. Sterling's voice cracked with deep sorrow as she looked at her youngest son.
Richard: If I didn't pay them by midnight, they threatened to foreclose on my apartment building!
Julian: So you framed the maid who barely makes enough to support her little sister?!
Julian turned his rage onto Richard, his fists clenching tightly at his sides.
Richard: I was going to buy the ring back next week after my investment return cleared!
Lily: You lied to everyone! You watched Uncle Julian slap Grandmother and you didn't say a word!
Lily walked over to Clara, wrapping her arms tightly around the weeping maid's waist.
Lily: Clara is the only person in this house who actually cares about us!