Victoria's high heels clicked loudly against the polished marble steps as she descended.
Her eyes were fixed on Clara with intense anger and sharp disdain.
Clara stayed on the floor, keeping her arms wrapped tightly around the scared child.
Clara: She could have been hurt so badly!
Clara: Why did you not reach out to grab her?
Victoria stopped right over them, looking down at the maid with complete contempt.
She did not display a single trace of guilt or fear.
Victoria: Mind your place in this house, Clara.
Victoria: You are just paid help here.
Clara: She was hanging from the railing, Victoria!
Clara: You were standing right beside her!
Victoria leaned down slightly, her face twisting into a bitter glare.
Victoria: It was not an accident.
Victoria: She slipped right from my hands.
Clara gasped in total horror as those cold words echoed through the silent foyer.
She could not believe what the woman had just openly admitted to her.
Clara: How could you do something like that to a little girl?
Victoria: This family estate belongs to Mark and me now.
Victoria: That child takes up too much of his attention and his fortune.
Victoria: Her trust fund was set to take half of his inheritance next year.
Clara felt a cold chill run down her entire spine as Victoria spoke so casually about greed.
Victoria cared only about the mansion, the wealth, and the upcoming marriage settlement.
She viewed the small toddler as nothing more than an obstacle to her luxury life.
Clara: Mark will hear about this the moment he returns!
Victoria: Who do you think he will believe?
Victoria: A simple maid or his future wife?
Victoria took a step closer, raising her hand to threaten Clara's job.
Victoria: You will be fired before the sun goes down today.
Victoria: I will tell Mark that you left the girl unattended near the balcony.
Clara pulled Lily closer to her chest, standing her ground against the cruel woman.
She knew she could lose her job and her humble income in an instant.
Yet she refused to back down when a helpless child's life was at stake.
Before Victoria could say another word, the heavy wooden front doors suddenly burst open.