Victor stopped near the threshold and looked at the strange scene before his eyes.
Serena stood in her golden dress with tears streaming down her carefully painted cheeks.
Clara remained on the floor with her arms wrapped tightly around the shaking boy.
Victor: Clara, is this true? Did you raise your hands against my son?
Clara: No, Mr. Vance! I would never hurt Ethan in my entire life!
Serena: She is lying, Victor! She shoved him down when he would not obey!
Ethan hid his face inside Clara's white uniform collar while crying softly.
Ethan: No, Dad! Clara saved me! Stepmother pulled my arm really hard!
Serena gasped dramatically and placed her hands over her ears in deep distress.
Serena: She has brainwashed the poor boy to turn him against me, Victor!
Serena: Look at the child's jacket! It is ripped because she pulled him down!
Victor took a step closer with a stern expression on his handsome face.
He looked down at his crying son and then at his emotional new wife.
The conflict in his mind was clear as he weighed their conflicting words.
Clara looked up at her employer with pleading eyes full of genuine truth.
Clara: Please do not let her touch him again, Mr. Vance!
Clara: Check my hands or check the room! I only tried to shield him!
Serena walked up to Victor and grabbed his arm with a desperate grip.
Serena: Fire her immediately and call the police to have her arrested today!
Serena: I will not feel safe in this mansion with such a violent woman!
Victor looked down at the floor and noticed a small tear on Ethan's sleeve.
His face darkened with anger as he believed his wife's convincing emotional act.
He could not tolerate any harm coming to his only precious young son.
Victor: Clara, pack your belongings and leave my home at once.
Clara: Please, sir, listen to me for just one moment before you decide!
Victor: I cannot risk my son's safety another minute under this roof.
Serena smiled slyly behind Victor's back as Clara began to cry softly.
It seemed as though the evil stepmother had won her cruel little game.