To understand the scratches on Clara's face, one had to look back two hours earlier.
Just before the party began, Clara was sent to dust the mahogany shelves in Julian's private study.
The study housed important legal documents regarding the family estate and Julian's personal business trust fund.
As Clara opened the heavy wooden door, she caught Chloe standing near Julian's locked desk drawer.
Chloe held a silver letter opener and was actively trying to pry open the lock mechanism.
A thick manila folder labeled with the word Inheritance sat open on the desk surface.
Clara: Miss Sterling, what are you doing in Mr. Vance's personal office?
Chloe jumped back in surprise, dropping the tool onto the thick Persian rug.
Her eyes flashed with panic before turning cold and dangerous.
Chloe: Get out of here right now and mind your own business!
Clara: Mr. Vance asked me to clean this room, and he keeps that desk locked for a reason.
Chloe marched across the room and grabbed Clara forcefully by her apron collar.
Chloe: If you tell anyone what you saw, I will make sure you rot in prison!
Clara tried to pull away from Chloe's tight grip to reach the open hallway door.
During the brief struggle, Chloe's sharp manicured nails raked harshly across Clara's cheek.
Clara stumbled backward into the doorframe, gasping from the sudden sting on her face.
Chloe: Remember your place, you worthless girl!
Chloe quickly grabbed the manila envelope and stuffed it deep inside her designer purse.
She threatened to have Clara arrested for theft if she ever uttered a single word to Julian.
Clara had locked herself in the maid's restroom for twenty minutes, crying in silence and fear.
She was terrified of losing her job and being falsely accused of a serious crime.
However, Chloe did not realize that Clara was much smarter than she assumed.
Before stepping into the study, Clara had placed her smartphone on the high bookshelf near the entrance.
She had turned on the video camera to record a quick cleaning inspection for her daily log.
The high-definition lens had captured every single second of Chloe breaking into the locked desk drawer.
It also recorded the exact moment Chloe struck Clara and stole the confidential legal file.
Clara had retrieved her phone silently while Chloe was distracted straightening her dress.
Now, standing in the grand foyer covered in champagne, Clara knew the moment of truth had arrived.