Clara reached the bottom of the grand staircase in a second.
She looked up and saw little Lily running frantically along the balcony.
The child was sobbing uncontrollably, her face red with pure terror.
Victoria stood right behind her at the top landing, looking angry.
Victoria: Come back here right now, you little brat!
Lily: No! No stay away!
Lily tripped near the edge of the polished marble top stair.
Victoria reached out forcefully and grabbed the child's small arm.
Instead of pulling her back, Victoria knocked over a heavy ceramic vase.
The large vase shattered loudly near Lily's tiny bare feet.
Terrified by the noise, Lily scrambled backward down the carpeted steps.
She slipped on the smooth edge and began falling downward fast.
Clara: Lily!
Clara sprinted across the marble floor with her arms wide open.
She threw herself forward onto her knees at the bottom step.
She caught the falling child tightly against her chest just in time.
The force of the catch knocked Clara's shoulder against the floor.
Lily buried her small face into Clara's beige uniform, weeping hysterically.
Clara: I got you! Oh my god, sweetie, are you okay?
Lily: Bad lady sca'ed me! She broke vase!
Clara wrapped her arms around the toddler, her knees shaking violently.
At that exact moment, the front double doors burst open wide.
Richard rushed inside, his face pale with sudden panic and worry.
He had forgotten his briefcase and returned earlier than expected.
Richard: What happened?! Who did this?!
Clara stood up slowly while holding Lily securely in her arms.
She lifted her hand and pointed up at the top landing.
Clara: She pushed her down the stairs!
Victoria gasped dramatically and clutched her red dress in panic.
Victoria: Don't listen to her! It was an accident!
Victoria: The maid frightened the child and made her trip!
Richard looked at his crying daughter and then looked at Victoria.
His face contorted in intense rage as he pointed at the door.
Richard: Get out of my house!
Victoria: Richard, please! You have to let me explain!
Richard: I said get out before I call the police!
Victoria stomped down the steps, her high heels clicking loudly.
She glared at Clara with pure venom as she passed by.
Victoria: You will regret this, you pathetic house servant.
She grabbed her leather handbag and slammed the double doors shut.
Richard sat down on the bottom step and held his daughter tightly.
Richard: Thank God you were here, Clara.
Clara: I will always protect her, Mr. Sterling.
Richard wiped a tear from his eye and held Lily close.
Yet deep down, Clara knew this fight was far from over.