The polished white marble tiles inside the grand entrance foyer caught the glare of the morning chandeliers[cite: 1]. High above the front archway, a large framed American flag hung mounted against the wall[cite: 1]. Clara adjusted her white apron over her black uniform, carrying a tray of warm tea toward the sitting parlor[cite: 1]. She stopped dead in her tracks as sharp heels clicked across the stone[cite: 1]. Victoria stepped into the foyer wearing a sparkling maroon sequined gown, holding three-month-old baby Toby in her arms[cite: 1].
Victoria: Look at you, whimpering like a little dog!
Clara: Miss Victoria, please be careful with him!
Victoria: Shut your mouth, servant! He has been screaming in my ears for an hour!
Clara: He only needs his warm milk bottle!
Victoria sneered, lifting the fragile infant high above her shoulder[cite: 1].
Victoria: Cry all you want! You will never belong in this family![cite: 1]
Without warning, Victoria threw her arms downward, violently hurling the infant straight onto the marble floor[cite: 1].
Clara: NO! PLEASE NO![cite: 1]
The sickening thud of the baby hitting the hard stone floor echoed through the high ceiling, followed by a terrified shriek of pure pain[cite: 1]. Clara dropped her tea tray, dishes smashing everywhere, and dropped to her knees to crawl across the floor[cite: 1]. She scooped Toby into her arms, seeing a thin streak of dark blood trickling from his forehead onto the white tile[cite: 1].
Clara: What did you do?! You tried to kill him![cite: 1]
Victoria leaned down close over the weeping maid, her lips twisting into a mocking smirk[cite: 1].
Victoria: Who do you think he'll believe? His future wife... or a worthless nanny?[cite: 1]
Before Clara could scream for the estate security team, the front double doors flew open with a deafening crash[cite: 1]. Marcus Sterling stormed inside, his black overcoat billowing, his eyes locking onto the blood on the floor[cite: 1].