Victoria: Oh, the pain! My head! Someone restrain this child before she attacks another person!
Clara: Stop screaming lies, Miss Victoria! You pushed that vase off the pedestal yourself!
Victoria: You dare accuse me, you miserable maid?! You were standing right there and let this wild child throw an antique at my face!
Victoria lay dramatically spread across the marble floor, her metallic gold dress tangled around the broken white porcelain shards[cite: 1]. She rubbed her cheeks, forcing tears to stream down her makeup as guests began gathering around the edge of the foyer[cite: 1].
Guest 1: Is she okay? Did the little girl really throw that heavy porcelain?
Guest 2: Look at the size of those broken pieces! That could have killed someone!
Victoria: She's out of control! I was just trying to hand her a glass of juice, and she threw a temper tantrum and smashed the entire display!
Lily: No! No! I didn't do it! I didn't touch the vase!
Clara: Sweetie, come behind me. Don't touch the glass[cite: 1].
Clara stepped in front of Lily, shielding the crying child from Victoria's sharp, pointing fingers[cite: 1]. Lily buried her face against Clara's side, her small hands shaking as she squeezed her stuffed bear tightly[cite: 1].
Victoria: Get away from her, maid! You are enabling a dangerous child! When Richard comes inside, I will make sure both of you are removed from this estate permanently!
Clara: You can tell Mr. Sterling whatever story you want, but I know what my eyes saw[cite: 1]. You broke that vase on purpose[cite: 1]!
Victoria: You are a hired hand who washes dishes for minimum wage! Who do you think Richard is going to believe? A loyal family friend in a gold gown, or a temporary servant and a spoiled six-year-old?
Lily: Daddy... please come back... Daddy!
The heavy mahogany front doors swung open, the sharp thud of leather soles echoing across the marble floor[cite: 1]. Richard Sterling stepped into the foyer wearing a crisp black three-piece suit, his phone still in his hand as his eyes took in the scene of shattered glass, crying guests, and his girlfriend lying on the ground[cite: 1].
Richard: What on earth is happening in here?! What was that loud crash?
Victoria: Richard! Oh thank God you're back! Save me!
Victoria scrambled upward slightly on her knees, pressing a hand to her forehead while pointing dramatically at the little girl standing behind the maid[cite: 1].
Victoria: Your daughter has completely lost her mind, Richard! Girl gone crazy! She tried to hurt Lily! She threw your mother's heirloom vase straight at my head!
Richard: What?! Lily did this?
Victoria: Yes! Look at the floor! It's completely ruined! If I hadn't ducked in time, I would be in an emergency room right now!
Richard took three long strides toward his daughter, his brow furrowed in deep concern and disbelief as he looked at the destruction[cite: 1].
Richard: Lily Sterling, is this true? Did you touch the display table after I explicitly told you to stay away from it?
Lily: Daddy! No! I didn't do it! Teddy saw everything!
Richard: Stop talking about toy bears, Lily! Look at me! Did you break this vase?