The heavy briefcase made a loud thud as it hit the polished stone.
Arthur stared at the young woman kneeling on the floor in front of him.
His heart beat wildly against his chest as he took a step forward.
He looked past the dirty apron and the soapy bucket near her knees.
He recognized the small freckles across her nose and her bright blue eyes.
This was the daughter he had been searching for over twenty long years.
His former wife had moved away with Clara after their difficult divorce back then.
Arthur had spent endless money on private investigators without finding a single clue.
Now his long-lost daughter was kneeling right inside his own front door.
Arthur: Clara? Is that really you?
Clara: It is me, Papa.
Victoria stood up from the sofa so quickly her wine glass wobbled dangerously.
Her face went completely pale as she looked between Arthur and the maid.
She had never known Arthur had a daughter from his first young marriage.
He rarely spoke about his past painful losses to anyone in his new life.
Victoria stepped forward, wrapping her silver watch around her slender wrist nervously.
Victoria: Arthur, what on earth are you talking about right now?
Victoria: She is just the new cleaning girl I brought in this week.
Arthur: Shut your mouth, Victoria!
Arthur ignored his wife and dropped straight down to his own knees.
He did not care that his expensive suit trousers were getting soaked in water.
He wrapped his strong arms around Clara and pulled her into a tight hug.
Clara buried her face in his shoulder and finally let her tears flow freely.
The years of pain and struggle seemed to lift off her tired shoulders instantly.
Arthur held her head gently, feeling her shake with deep, emotional sobs.
Arthur: I searched everywhere for you, my sweet sweet girl.
Clara: Mom said you forgot about us after we moved away.
Arthur: I never forgot about you for a single day of my life.
Victoria watched the tender scene with a mix of shock and rising anger.
Her perfect control over the grand house was completely crumbling before her eyes.
She stepped closer, pointing a sharp finger down at the sobbing girl.
Victoria: Arthur, this is ridiculous! She is a random common worker!
Victoria: You cannot just believe some stranger who calls you father!
Arthur slowly stood up, turning to face Victoria with cold, icy eyes.
The warmth in his expression completely vanished as he stared at his wife.
He saw the red marks on Clara's hands and the dirty floor around her.
A dark rage settled deep inside his heart as he took a step.
Arthur: How dare you treat anyone in this house like this?