The bright Dallas sun beamed through the high windows of the grand mansion, illuminating the polished white marble floor and the sparkling crystal chandeliers overhead[cite: 1]. Underneath a framed American flag hanging on the pristine wall, Victoria stood in her vibrant red silk dress, her eyes blazing with pure hatred[cite: 1]. She pinned Maria against the heavy frame of a large golden mirror[cite: 1]. Maria, wearing her light blue maid uniform, clutched her visibly swollen stomach, her brown hair pulling loose from her tight bun as tears streamed down her cheeks[cite: 1]. Victoria's manicured fingernails dug sharply into the soft skin of Maria's shoulder, pinning her helpless body against the glass[cite: 1].
Victoria: THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SERVANTS FORGET THEIR PLACE[cite: 1]!
Maria: MY BABY... PLEASE[cite: 1]!
Victoria: You don't get to ask for mercy in my family's house!
Maria: Please, Miss Victoria! I didn't mean to drop the vase!
Victoria: You ruined a hundred-thousand-dollar heirloom, you useless girl!
Maria let out a sharp, distressed gasp as Victoria squeezed her arm tighter, raising her free hand to strike her across the face[cite: 1]. But before her hand could move, heavy, rapid footsteps echoed down the long hallway[cite: 1]. Daniel rushed into the foyer[cite: 1]. Wearing a tailored black suit and a crisp white unbuttoned shirt that revealed the dark edge of his chest tattoo, his face was locked in total outrage[cite: 1]. He charged straight toward them, placing his broad frame directly between Victoria and the cowering maid[cite: 1].
Daniel: LET HER GO[cite: 1]!
Victoria: WHO ARE YOU TO INTERRUPT ME[cite: 1]?!
Daniel: SIT... SLOWLY. DON'T STAND[cite: 1].
Daniel turned his back on Victoria completely, kneeling down with incredible gentleness to support Maria's trembling frame as he lowered her safely onto the cold marble floor[cite: 1]. He looked down at her swollen stomach, his dark eyes brimming with a terrifying mix of protective grief and dangerous fury[cite: 1]. Standing back up, he turned to face his personal security team standing at attention down the hall[cite: 1]. His voice boomed through the high-ceilinged mansion[cite: 1].
Daniel: DELLA, CALL MEDICAL CARE! PRESERVE THE FOOTAGE! TEXAS POLICE ARE ON THEIR WAY[cite: 1]!
Victoria: Are you out of your mind?! You can't call the police on me!
Without saying a single word, Daniel stepped forward and forcefully slapped Victoria across her face[cite: 1]. The loud, stinging crack reverberated off the marble walls[cite: 1]. Victoria screamed as the sheer force sent her flying backward, crashing hard onto the hard stone floor beside the mirror[cite: 1]. She lay there dazed, her red silk dress tangled around her knees, staring up at him in absolute shock and humiliation[cite: 1]. She had no idea that the pregnant maid she had just tortured was actually Daniel's secret, lawfully wedded wife[cite: 1].