The officers guided Marcus down the grand marble staircase into the main foyer[cite: 1]. High-society house staff and estate guards stood along the walls, watching in absolute silence as the vice chairman was led away in restraints.
Out on the front patio, local news crews who had been tipped off by the corporate audit team swarmed the marble steps, flashbulbs exploding continuously against the daylight[cite: 1].
Reporter A: Mr. Marcus Sterling! Is it true you tried to poison your infant son for an estate inheritance?
Reporter B: Did you forge a five-million-dollar life insurance policy?
Marcus: Get those cameras away from my face! Turn them off!
Marcus pulled his handcuffed hands up to try and cover his face, but the photographers captured every second of his ruined, terrified expression.
Officer Miller pushed his head down gently, guiding him into the back seat of the lead police cruiser. The heavy metal door slammed shut with a sharp thud, cutting off his angry shouting instantly.
Inside the nursery, Clara stood near the wooden crib, holding four-month-old little Leo safely in her arms[cite: 1]. The infant was resting peacefully, unbothered by the chaos outside.
Victoria and Evelyn walked back into the room, their faces pale but full of quiet resolve.
Victoria: Clara... I need to say something to you.
Clara: Ma'am?
Victoria walked over to the young maid, taking Clara's hands into her own with deep, tearful gratitude[cite: 1].
Victoria: I screamed at you when I walked into this room earlier[cite: 1]. I knocked that bottle out of your hand and blamed you for trying to starve my baby[cite: 1].
Clara: You were terrified for your son, Mrs. Victoria. I understand.
Victoria: Knocking that bottle onto the floor saved my baby's life[cite: 1]. If you had fed him that formula... he wouldn't be here right now[cite: 1].
Evelyn: You saved the primary heir to our family estate, Clara. You showed more courage and honesty than anyone else in this mansion.
Clara: I just wanted to protect the baby, Miss Evelyn.
Victoria: Starting today, Clara, your position as housemaid is terminated.
Clara's heart dropped into her stomach. She looked at Victoria with wide, fearful eyes, holding the baby tight against her chest.
Clara: Ma'am... am I being fired?
Victoria: No, Clara. You are being appointed as the Chief Head Nurse and Estate Guardian for my son. Your monthly salary is quadrupled, and you will live in the master suite beside the nursery.
Clara gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as fresh tears of joy spilled down her cheeks[cite: 1].
Clara: Mrs. Victoria... thank you! Thank you so much! I promise I will protect him with my life!
Victoria: I know you will, Clara. You already proved it today.