Clara stood on the cold stone balcony while the wind blew hard from the ocean.
The metal links wrapped tightly around her wrists as she pulled against them.
She was just a young maid working in the giant oceanfront mansion.
Victoria towered over her with a fierce glare in her dark eyes.
The expensive silk robe wrapped around Victoria fluttered softly in the damp sea air.
Clara felt tears burning in the corners of her swollen eyes.
She had worked for the Vance family for over three whole years.
She had always cleaned the rooms with great care and quiet honesty.
Now she was bound like a criminal on the top floor terrace.
Victoria leaned down until her sharp face was inches from Clara's cheek.
Victoria: You will take the blame for this, Clara.
Clara: I never touched those legal papers, ma'am.
Victoria: Nobody believes a poor house maid over a rich stepmother.
Clara looked down at the dark water crashing against the high cliff rocks below.
She knew that her life was hanging by a very thin thread today.
The heavy glass doors behind them suddenly opened with a loud thud.
Julian Vance stepped onto the terrace with a cold expression on his face.
He was the young heir to the giant Vance family estate and business.
His sharp black suit looked crisp against the cloudy gray sky above them.
Victoria jumped back instantly and tried to hide her nervous hands.
Victoria: Julian, thank goodness you are finally awake!
Julian: What is going on out here on the balcony, Victoria?
Victoria: She's lying! Don't listen to her!
Julian did not say a word as his dark eyes scanned the scenes.
He saw the heavy metal links wrapped firmly around Clara's pale wrists.
He saw the small blue bruise spreading slowly across Clara's soft cheek.
Clara raised her chin despite the bitter pain in her tight arms.
Clara: Please help me, Mr. Vance.
Victoria: She tried to steal your late father's will from the safe!
Julian stepped forward with slow and deliberate heavy footsteps.
His jaw locked tight as he glared down at his ambitious stepmother.
The tension on the ocean terrace grew thick and heavy like ice.
Clara held her breath and prayed that the young master would listen.