The high ceilings of the mansion echoed with the quiet hum of the evening.
Clara adjusted her simple white apron as she adjusted the serving tray in her hands.
She had worked as a maid for the wealthy Vance family for less than two months.
Every single day brought new tasks and long hours of tiring physical labor.
Yet Clara always kept a smile on her soft face because she loved her honest work.
She needed the weekly paycheck to pay for her elderly mother's medical treatments back home.
The central hall was decorated with bright marble floors and giant gold picture frames.
A massive American flag hung proudly on the main wall near the grand staircase entrance.
Clara wiped down the side tables while watching the grandfather clock tick softly in the room.
The silence ended abruptly when loud high heels clicked sharply against the smooth floor tile.
Victoria walked into the living room wearing a bright orange dress covered in small diamonds.
She was the wealthy business owner's new fiancée and was very proud of her position.
Victoria never spared a nice word for any of the hardworking household staff members.
She treated the workers like they were completely invisible beneath her expensive high heels.
In her arms, she held tiny little Leo, who was only six months old tonight.
Leo was the only son of the master of the house, a billionaire named Richard.
The poor little baby was crying softly in his thick blue woolen blanket.
Victoria glared down at the infant's small face with pure hatred and dark disgust.
She did not want another woman's child to inherit the vast family business fortune.
Clara stopped wiping the glass table and looked up with deep worry in her eyes.
She noticed how roughly Victoria was holding the tiny baby by his soft arms.
Victoria: Stop your noisy crying right now, you little brat!
Waitress Clara: Excuse me, ma'am, can I please help you carry the baby?
Victoria: Know your place and keep your dirty mouth closed, maid!
Waitress Clara: He sounds very hungry and cold, Miss Victoria.
Victoria: I do not care what this miserable little mistake feels right now!
Clara felt a cold rush of anger stir deep inside her quiet chest.
She had lost her own little sister many years ago in a sad hospital accident.
She knew how precious every single young life was to a loving parent.
Victoria stepped closer toward the edge of the tall marble staircase landing above.
She tilted the screaming child forward in a very careless and dangerous way.
The infant gasped for air as his tiny hands reached out into the empty room.
Victoria chuckled under her breath like a cruel person enjoying a private bad joke.
Clara set her metal tray down on the wooden side table very quickly.
She took two cautious steps forward while keeping her eyes fixed on the baby.
Victoria: Let us see how much your rich daddy loves you after tonight!
Waitress Clara: Please step back from the staircase right now!
Victoria: Do not tell me what to do in this house, girl!
Victoria suddenly let go of the thick woolen blanket containing the helpless child.
The heavy blanket slipped from her hands into the high air over the steep steps.