Mary gasped in utter disbelief at the wicked lie spinning from Victoria's glossed lips.
She looked up at David with trembling hands, clutching the crying infant carefully against her chest.
Nanny Mary: Sir! That is completely untrue!
Nanny Mary: She set your baby down roughly on the hard floor to frighten him!
David stood between the two women, his breath coming in short, furious gasps as he looked down.
His protective instincts as a father kicked into overdrive at the sight of his weeping son.
He looked into Victoria's eyes, searching for any sign of genuine concern for the little boy.
Instead, he caught a subtle, triumphant smirk crossing her face when she thought he was looking away.
David had built a multi-million dollar logistics empire by reading people's true motives carefully every day.
He knew Mary had served his family faithfully without a single complaint for nearly a year.
He also remembered how Victoria often complained about the baby crying during her quiet afternoons.
David: Victoria, look me in the eye right now.
Victoria: David, darling, you must fire this crazy old woman immediately!
Victoria: She is trying to ruin our happy future together because she fears losing her job!
David reached down swiftly and lifted little Leo into his strong, protective arms.
He held his son tight against his chest, kissing the top of his soft head repeatedly.
David: Daddy's right here, sweet boy... I will protect you with my life.
The baby's intense wailing slowly subsided into quiet, tiny whimpers against his father's warm shoulder.
David turned his gaze back to Victoria, his brown eyes cold and dark with unyielding anger.
David: Don't you ever touch my baby or come near him again!
Victoria stepped back slightly, surprised by the sheer intensity of David's deep, booming voice.
She adjusted her sequin dress quickly, trying to regain her composure and authority in the room.
Victoria: You are taking the word of a servant over your own fiancee?
David: Mary is not just a servant, she is a trusted member of this household!
Victoria: If you choose this child over me, our upcoming wedding is completely off!
David looked at the woman he almost married, realizing how close he came to a terrible mistake.