The checkered marble floor of the grand estate hallway glittered under the soft light, setting the scene for an evening meant for high society and celebration. Guests laughed softly in the main ballroom just down the corridor, their crystal glasses clinking amidst warm chatter. But in the quiet hallway leading to the private suites, the air was cold and thick with malice.
Victoria: Look at you, trembling like a helpless little stray on my marble floor.
Maya: Please, Victoria... just stop. I only came here to hand over the estate papers like you asked.
Victoria: You came here to steal what belongs to my family, Maya! You thought you could walk back into this house and claim your father's trust fund?
Victoria stood tall in a shimmering gold sequin gown that caught every reflection of light in the hall. In her right hand, she held a heavy crystal goblet filled to the brim with dark red wine. Kneeling before her on the cold, hard checkered marble was Maya, wearing a simple cream dress that was already ruined.
Maya: Victoria, please don't do this... this dress belonged to my mother!
Victoria: Your mother was a nobody, Maya! And you are nothing but a stain on this family name!
Slowly and deliberately, Victoria tilted the glass forward. A thick stream of deep red wine poured directly over Maya’s head, soaking into her hair and running down her face onto her pale dress. Maya flinched, biting her lower lip as tears welled up in her eyes, choking back a quiet sob. She didn't dare fight back—she knew Victoria controlled the family estate, the household staff, and the legal firm handling her father's will.
Victoria: Oops. Look at that awful mess you made on my checkered floor. You always were so clumsy, weren't you?
Maya: Why do you hate me so much? I gave up the house. I gave up the company shares!
Victoria: Because as long as you breathe, my husband will never truly look at me!
Heavy footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor, followed by the deep, solid thud of double doors swinging open. Victoria’s eyes widened slightly, her confident smirk instantly morphing into a look of feigned panic as she dropped her hand to her side. Standing in the doorway was Julian, dressed in an immaculate grey suit, staring at the scene in absolute shock.
Victoria: Oh, honey! Thank goodness you're here! Look at what she did—she slipped and spilled wine all over herself!
Maya pulled her knees to her chest, her body shaking as the red liquid dripped down her cheeks, waiting for the inevitable humiliation. But what Victoria didn't realize was that Julian hadn't walked in alone, and the truth in that hallway had already been recorded by an unseen eye.