A young woman named Sarah ran into the library with wide, frightened eyes.
Her apron was damp, and her hands trembled as she saw the master standing there.
Sarah: Clara! Oh mercy, sweet baby, come here right now!
Master Richard: Sarah, stay right where you are. I need you to tell me the truth.
Sarah: Sir, I am so sorry! I left her in the staff breakroom with her toys!
Victoria: Tell him the truth, Sarah! Tell him you brought your child to work illegally!
Sarah: Mrs. Victoria told me five minutes ago that my daughter was ruining the rugs!
Sarah: She told me if Clara did not clean the spills, we would both be out on the street tonight!
Master Richard: Is this true, Victoria? Did you threaten a young mother like that?
Victoria: She is a careless maid who does not deserve her generous monthly salary!
Richard bent down and gently removed the heavy yellow gloves from little Clara's cold hands.
He picked up the small toddler, holding her safely against his tailored black suit jacket.
Master Richard: You have crossed a line that you can never cross back over, Victoria.
Victoria: Are you taking the side of a common maid over your own wife, Richard?
Master Richard: I am taking the side of decency and basic human kindness today.
Sarah wiped a lone tear from her pale cheek, looking at Richard with immense relief.
Victoria took a step back, her red lipstick curling into a bitter, angry sneer.
She grabbed her designer leather purse off the nearby wooden reading desk with fury.