The quiet morning inside the massive estate was broken by the harsh sound of glass crashing onto the polished floor. Cold red wine splashed across the light oak planks, spreading like a stain that could never be cleaned. Hannah dropped to her knees right away, her hands shaking as she pulled out a towel to wipe up the mess. She had worked as a maid in this mansion for three hard years, doing her job without ever complaining once. But no matter how hard she worked, it was never enough to satisfy the woman standing above her. Victoria stood in her glittering dress, her eyes cold as she stared down at the trembling maid. She did not move her feet or offer to help at all. Instead, she lifted the heavy glass pitcher higher and tipped it over on purpose, pouring the rest of the dark red liquid right onto Hannah's back and shoulders. The cold liquid soaked through the thin fabric of her uniform, making her shiver as tears sprang instantly into her eyes.
Victoria: Look at what a clumsy fool you are.
Hannah: Why are you doing this to me, ma'am?
Victoria: Because you need to learn your place in this family.
Hannah kept her head down, swallowing her pride while trying to wipe the floor. She knew that arguing with Victoria was completely pointless and dangerous. Ever since Victoria married the master of the house, the atmosphere inside the home had turned toxic. Victoria treated every worker like trash and spent money like it was water. She wanted full control over the family business and the massive trust fund that belonged to the family. Hannah was just a small hurdle in her way, a simple staff member who noticed too much. As the red wine dripped down Hannah's pale cheeks, the front doors suddenly slammed open with a loud bang that echoed through the grand hallway.
David: What on earth is happening in here?
Victoria: Honey! She spilled it on herself!
David: Stop this right now!
David marched rapidly down the checkerboard hallway, his grey suit sharp and his posture rigid. His face was twisted in complete anger as he saw the terrible scene unfolding before his eyes. Victoria quickly tried to change her expression, putting on a fake look of deep shock and worry. She held out her hands and gestured exaggeratedly toward the messy floor, trying to put the blame on the poor worker. But David ignored her completely as he rushed forward. He did not yell at Hannah or demand an explanation from her. Instead, he dropped straight down to his knees right beside the soaked girl on the cold floor.
David: Are you hurt, Hannah?
Hannah: I am so sorry, sir... I tried to catch it.
David: Do not apologize for something you did not do.
He placed his warm hands gently on Hannah's wet face, wiping away the dark liquid and her tears with his thumb. Victoria gasped loudly in absolute shock as she watched her husband care for the servant. She stepped back, her golden dress rustling as her face grew pale with sudden panic. David looked up at Victoria with eyes that were cold as ice, his anger finally boiling over after months of quiet suspicion. The air in the hallway was heavy and completely silent except for Hannah's quiet sobs.