Clara dropped straight to her knees right on the cold, hard checkered marble floor.
She threw her hands up in desperation, blocking Victoria from dragging the small child further.
Tears streamed down Clara's face as she begged the wealthy woman to stop her cruel behavior.
Victoria looked down with immense disgust, scoffing loudly at the trembling house maid before her.
She demanded that Clara get back to work and mind her own low-level business immediately.
Clara shook her head firmly, standing her ground despite the intense fear gripping her heart.
She told Victoria that treating a helpless baby like an object was completely evil and unacceptable.
Victoria lifted her hand and shoved Clara backward onto the hard floor with sudden force.
Clara hit the polished marble tile hard, bruising her cheek against the cold surface below.
She held her sore face, but her eyes remained focused on keeping baby Leo completely safe.
Victoria laughed coldly and claimed that nobody would ever take the word of a simple maid.
She boasted about her power, her family fortune, and her top position in local high society.
Clara pulled baby Leo closer to her lap, comforting the scared child with gentle words.
The little boy wrapped his tiny fingers around Clara's apron, seeking warmth and real safety.
Victoria reached down angrily, attempting to grab the child back from Clara's protective arms.
Suddenly, the heavy oak double front doors of the mansion burst open with tremendous force.
Arthur had forgotten his confidential legal files on his primary desk inside the private study.
He had instructed his chauffeur to turn the luxury car around just five minutes after leaving.
He walked inside expecting a quiet house, but heard loud arguing echoing down the hall.
His eyes widened in shock as he witnessed the scene taking place in his grand foyer.
He saw his wife standing over the bruised maid who was shielding his crying son.
The atmosphere in the massive home froze instantly as Arthur dropped his leather briefcase down.
A terrible realization began to form inside his mind as he looked at their faces.
He took a deep breath, his heart racing fast as he stepped toward the hallway.