Clara's knees slid violently across the polished marble, the friction tearing through her uniform stockings as she stretched both arms outward[cite: 1].
The bundle tumbled rapidly through the air, hitting the lower wooden banister post before crashing down into Clara's outstretched arms[cite: 1].
The heavy impact knocked Clara flat onto her back, her elbows taking the blunt force against the hard stone tile[cite: 1].
Clara: I've got you! Shh, you're safe! Clara has you![cite: 1]
Toby shrieked in frantic, choking agony, tiny red marks rising on his brow from grazing the banister edge[cite: 1].
Clara curled her body completely around the infant, sobbing uncontrollably as she checked his tiny fingers and toes[cite: 1].
Clara: Breathe, baby, breathe! You're alive, thank God, you're alive!
Up on the curved balcony, Victoria gripped the iron railing, staring down in furious disbelief[cite: 1].
Victoria: You stupid, worthless maid! Why did you catch him?![cite: 1]
Clara: You're a demonic monster! You just tried to murder a three-month-old baby![cite: 1]
Victoria: Nobody saw a thing, Clara! It's your word against mine, and my word is backed by twenty million dollars!
Victoria gathered the train of her blue sequined gown and began descending the grand marble staircase, her heels clicking softly on the steps[cite: 1].
Victoria: Hand that child over right now so I can finish what I started!
Clara: Over my dead body! Touch him again and I will tear your eyes out!
Victoria: You threaten me in my own mansion?! I will have security throw you onto the street in handcuffs!
Before Victoria could take another step down, the massive mahogany front doors were thrown open with a thunderous bang that shook the high ceiling[cite: 1].
Heavy leather boots stomped across the threshold as Harrison Sterling, dressed in an imposing black tailored suit, stepped inside[cite: 1].
He froze instantly under the grand American flag, his sharp eyes darting from Clara bleeding on the floor to Victoria standing on the steps[cite: 1].
Harrison: What on earth is happening in my house?![cite: 1]
Clara lifted her head from the marble, pointing an accusatory, trembling finger straight up at the woman in the royal blue gown[cite: 1].
Clara: Sir! She threw your baby from the balcony! She tried to kill your child![cite: 1]
Victoria: Darling, thank God you're home! It was an accident, she slipped from my hands! Don't listen to this crazy maid![cite: 1]
Victoria put on a trembling, innocent smile, rushing down the remaining steps with her hands clasped against her chest[cite: 1].
Victoria: I was just rocking Toby near the railing to show him the garden, Harrison! A sudden breeze startled me and my hands slipped![cite: 1]
Clara: She laughed, Mr. Sterling! She mocked him and yelled 'Oops, too bad' right before she threw him over the banister![cite: 1]
Victoria: Harrison, look at my eyes! You know how much I love this family! Would I ever hurt our precious boy?
Harrison's face turned into a mask of pure, murderous rage, his jaw clenching so hard his teeth nearly cracked[cite: 1].
He didn't say a single word[cite: 1].
He charged across the foyer with blinding speed, lunging straight at Victoria under the prominent American flag[cite: 1].
His heavy right hand flew forward, delivering three explosive, consecutive slaps across Victoria's face[cite: 1].
The cracks echoed off the marble walls like gunshots, snapping her head violently from side to side before she crashed onto the bottom steps[cite: 1].
Harrison: HOW DARE YOU TOUCH MY CHILD, YOU VILE MONSTER![cite: 1]