The second-floor curved balcony of the grand white mansion overlooked the polished marble foyer beneath a tall framed American flag[cite: 1]. Clara stood near the base of the stairs in her black maid uniform and white apron, trembling as sharp laughter echoed from above[cite: 1].
Victoria leaned dangerously over the white railing, her glittering sapphire-blue sequin gown catching the light[cite: 1]. In her outstretched hands, dangling twenty feet over empty air, was three-month-old Toby in a thin cotton blanket[cite: 1].
Victoria: Hey maid, catch! Let's see if this worthless baby can fly![cite: 1]
Clara: PLEASE, I BEG YOU! HAVE MERCY ON THE INNOCENT BABY! DON'T DROP HIM![cite: 1]
Victoria: Why should I care about this pathetic little street rat?[cite: 1]
Clara: He is Mr. Sterling's only living son! Please, pull him back over the rail![cite: 1]
Victoria: He is the only thing stopping me from controlling the entire Sterling family trust fund!
Clara: Take the money, Victoria! Just don't hurt the child![cite: 1]
Victoria's face twisted into an expression of vicious, demonic delight as she gripped the cotton cloth[cite: 1].
Victoria: I don't want your permission, servant! I want this brat gone forever!
Without warning, Victoria let go of the blanket and callously hurled the infant over the banister into open air[cite: 1].
Toby let out a piercing shriek as he tumbled through the empty space above the foyer[cite: 1].
Clara: NOOO!
The bundle plummeted downward, striking the lower wooden rail before skidding violently across the cold, reflective marble floor[cite: 1].
Clara dropped to her hands and knees, frantically crawling across the slick tiles to reach the crying child[cite: 1].
She scooped the screaming, bruised baby into her arms, pressing him against her chest beneath the grand American flag[cite: 1].
Clara: I have you, my precious angel... you're safe now...[cite: 1]
Before Clara could stand, the heavy mahogany double doors burst open with a deafening bang[cite: 1]. Ethan Sterling strode into the hall in a tailored black tuxedo, but Victoria had no idea her secret was already recorded[cite: 1].