Julian Sterling walked briskly into the mansion foyer holding a leather briefcase.
He wore a tailored dark blue suit and crisp white shirt that showed his executive status.
He froze in his tracks as he observed the strange scene before him.
His young wife stood tense with a red face while his maid held his crying son tightly.
"What on earth is going on here?" Julian asked, his voice dropping an octave.
Victoria immediately changed her tone, putting on a soft, helpless expression.
She squeezed out a few fake tears and pointed an accusing finger at Clara.
"Darling, thank goodness you are home early!" Victoria cried out softly.
She rushed over to Julian's side and grabbed his sleeve with trembling fingers.
"This maid laid hands on me!" Victoria lied without missing a single beat.
Julian stared at Clara with deep confusion and growing concern in his blue eyes.
"Clara, is this true?" Julian demanded, taking a cautious step closer.
"Did you attack my wife in my own house?" he asked with rising anger.
"No, Mr. Sterling, that is completely false," Clara answered smoothly and calmly.
"She is lying, Julian!" Victoria screamed, her voice cracking with dramatic theatrical performance.
"I caught her trying to steal baby clothes from the nursery," Victoria added quickly.
"When I tried to stop her, she pushed me and grabbed poor Leo!" Victoria sobbed.
Clara looked down at the infant, who was finally beginning to quiet down in her arms.
She knew that if she failed now, Victoria would destroy her life completely.
Rich people always had the power to crush simple workers without second thoughts.
"Mr. Sterling, please ask yourself why your son is crying so hard," Clara suggested.
Julian looked down at his young boy's red cheeks and dirty knees.
"Leo does not usually cry like this unless he is in pain," Julian observed quietly.
"He is just having a tantrum because he is tired!" Victoria interjected loudly.
"I was trying to take him upstairs for his afternoon nap," she continued lying.
"With a velvet leash around his tiny neck?" Clara challenged, stepping closer to Julian.
Victoria's face turned pale as Julian turned his sharp gaze back toward her.
"A leash?" Julian repeated, his brows furrowing in deep suspicion.
"Victoria, what is she talking about?" Julian asked, his tone turning cold as ice.
"She is making up absurd stories to cover her theft!" Victoria shouted in panic.
"I would never hurt your baby, you know how much I love him!" she pleaded.
"I do not need to make up stories, ma'am," Clara said calmly.
She reached into her apron pocket and pulled out her dark smartphone again.
"I have something here that tells the complete truth," Clara declared openly.
Victoria lunged forward suddenly, trying to snatch the glass phone from Clara's hand.
"Give me that phone right now!" Victoria shrieked, losing her calm composure.
Julian stepped firmly between the two women, blocking Victoria with his broad arm.
"Stop right there, Victoria," Julian ordered sternly.
"Clara, show me what you have on that screen immediately," Julian commanded.