The grand ballroom of the Sterling estate was filled with bright natural daylight streaming through the arched windows.
Over two hundred wealthy guests stood around the room in polished tuxedos and expensive evening gowns.
A massive American flag hung proudly on the high marble wall near the main stage.
Clara stood near the serving table with a silver tray in her trembling hands.
She was twenty-four years old and worked twelve hours a day to support her sick younger sister.
Her black maid uniform was neatly pressed and her hair was tied back tightly.
Victoria Sterling stepped toward her with a cold glare in her dark eyes.
Victoria was the thirty-five-year-old wife of the city's top real estate developer, Julian Sterling.
She wore a dark wine silk dress that rustled loudly with every angry step she took.
Victoria: You spilled champagne near my custom leather shoes!
Clara: I am so sorry, ma'am, someone bumped into my elbow!
Victoria: Do not offer me your cheap excuses!
Victoria reached out and snatched the expensive crystal bottle from the silver bucket.
The guests went completely silent as the heavy glass bottle clinked against the metal tray.
Clara lowered her eyes to the white marble floor beneath her shoes.
Pieces of broken crystal lay scattered across the polished floor near her feet.
Victoria: Kneel down right now and look at what you caused!
Clara: Ma'am, please let me grab a broom and clean this up quickly.
Victoria: I said get on your knees this second!
Clara felt tears sting her eyes as she slowly lowered herself to the hard floor.
The cold marble pressed against her knees right next to the sharp glass shards.
Victoria lifted the open bottle of golden champagne high into the air.
Victoria: You need to know your place in this house!
She tipped the heavy bottle forward without a single second of hesitation.
The cold liquid poured directly over Clara's dark hair and ran down her face.
It splashed over her eyes and soaked through the clean white collar of her uniform.
Clara squeezed her eyes shut and kept her hands firmly on her lap.
A few guests gasped in horror, but no one stepped forward to help her.
Victoria smiled coldly as the last golden drops fell onto Clara's wet shoulders.
The sound of liquid dripping onto the stone floor echoed in the quiet room.
Clara's shoulders shook as she struggled to keep her breath steady.
She knew she could not lose this job without putting her family's rent at risk.
The golden liquid pooled around the broken glass on the white floor.
Victoria tilted her head back and looked down at the kneeling maid with disgust.
Victoria: That should teach you to pay attention when you serve my guests.
Clara held her breath and wiped a drop of champagne from her cheek.
She stayed on her knees while the wealthy crowd stared at her in silence.