Victoria: What did you just say into that phone?! What kind of joke is this?!
Clara: It’s not a joke, Victoria. It’s your official notice.
Victoria: My notice?! I am Catherine Sterling’s daughter-in-law! You are nothing but an administrative assistant who was invited here to hand deliver contract files!
Clara: I brought those files because your mother-in-law requested them personally. But I didn't come here to be your whipping post.
Maya continued to weep softly into Clara's shoulder, her small frame trembling. Clara gently rubbed her daughter's back, keeping her body turned away from Victoria.
Maya: Mommy... my knee hurts... the lady pushed me hard...
Clara: I know, baby. Mommy's got you. You're safe now.
Victoria: She's exaggerating! She barely touched the chair and fell over her own feet! You're raising a manipulative little liar, just like yourself!
Clara: Do not speak about my daughter again. You have no idea who you're dealing with.
Richard: Enough of this nonsense! Clara, take your daughter and leave through the kitchen entrance immediately! We have important guests arriving in twenty minutes!
Clara: You might want to hold off on welcoming those guests, Mr. Sterling. Because in about two minutes, your catering staff, your security detail, and your private venue lease are all going to be canceled.
Richard: What insolence! I will have Catherine fire you from the firm tomorrow morning!
Clara: Catherine can't fire me, Richard. Because Catherine doesn't own Sterling Global. I do.
Victoria let out another sharp, nervous laugh, stepping closer to Clara, her gold heels clicking against the hardwood floor.
Victoria: You own Sterling Global?! Is that the best lie you could come up with?! You drive an six-year-old sedan and wear off-the-rack clothes!
Clara: I live modestly because I don't need to flaunt wealth to feel important, Victoria. But my majority stake in the holding company is very real.
Victoria: Richard, listen to her! She's lost her mind! Call security right now!
Richard: Security! Get in here right now!
The heavy double doors of the dining room swung open, but it wasn't the estate security guards who entered. It was Catherine Sterling herself, the legendary CEO of Sterling Global, walking in briskly with her personal secretary close behind her.
Catherine: What on earth is going on in here?! Why is there shouting down the hall?!
Victoria: Mother! Thank goodness you're here! This crazy assistant you sent over brought her brat into our private dining room, got dirt on our furniture, and then started threatening us!
Catherine: Assistant...? Who are you talking about, Victoria?
Victoria: Her! Clara! She's standing right there making up insane stories about owning the company!
Catherine turned her gaze toward Clara, and the moment she saw the blood on Clara's cheek and the weeping child in her arms, Catherine's face drained of all color.
Catherine: Oh my God... Clara... what happened to your face?!
Clara: Ask your daughter-in-law, Catherine. She shoved Maya into the corner table and cut my cheek when I stepped in to protect her.
Catherine: Victoria... tell me you didn't touch this child...
Victoria: Mother, she's exaggerating! The brat was dirtying the furniture!
Catherine’s hand trembled as she reached into her pocket, her phone buzzing incessantly with automated corporate alerts.
Catherine: Victoria, you fool... do you have any idea who this woman is?!