Clara dropped to her knees on the cold polished floor near the tall staircase landing.
She cradled the crying infant securely against her chest while shielding him with her body.
Her blue dress was wrinkled, and her hands trembled uncontrollably from the terrifying close call.
Clara: What is wrong with you, Victoria?
Clara: You could have seriously hurt this innocent baby just now!
Victoria: Do not speak to me like that inside my own lavish home, girl!
Victoria turned around quickly when she heard the sudden heavy footsteps coming up the stairs.
Ethan climbed the marble steps rapidly while his face turned dark with rising anger.
His tailored suit jacket flapped open as he rushed directly toward the top landing floor.
Ethan: What is the meaning of this absolute chaos inside my house?
Victoria immediately changed her tone as her eyes filled with fake dramatic tears in seconds.
She smoothed down her glittering gold dress and rushed toward Ethan with open arms outstretched.
Victoria: Oh Ethan, thank God you finally arrived home to protect us right now!
Victoria: Your maid has completely lost her mind and tried to harm our precious baby!
Ethan: Is that what actually happened here just now, Victoria?
Victoria: Yes, she grabbed the stroller and tried to drag him down the steep stairs!
Victoria: She was shouting that she was going to ruin our happy family forever!
Ethan looked past his breathless wife toward the trembling maid sitting on the cold floor.
Clara shook her head rapidly while holding small baby Leo close to her warm heart.
The baby continued to cry loudly as his tiny fists waved inside the soft blanket.
Clara: That is completely false, Mr. Vanguard, I swear on my honest life!
Clara: Mrs. Vanguard was trying to drag the baby outside to her car by force!
Victoria: Silence, you lying thief, you are fired as of this exact minute!
Victoria pointed an angry finger toward the floor as her voice echoed through the house.
Ethan stood completely still between the two women while the heavy air felt suffocating.
He looked into Victoria's eyes, searching for any sign of genuine motherly concern or truth.
All he saw was a harsh calculating glare hiding behind a thin mask of distress.
He then looked down at Clara, whose simple face showed absolute terrifying love for the child.
Clara had worked for the Vanguard family for five long years without a single complaint.
She had cared for Ethan's late mother before taking over the nursery duties for little Leo.
Ethan: Clara has been a loyal worker in this house long before you arrived, Victoria.
Victoria: Are you taking the side of a humble maid over your legal wife?
Victoria: I am the lady of this mansion, and my word should be enough!
Ethan: I am taking the side of truth and the safety of my defenseless son.
Lily walked up the top steps slowly, holding her glowing phone tightly in her hands.
Her small shoes made soft clicking sounds against the hard white marble floor underfoot.
She looked directly at her father with steady eyes that held no fear or doubt.
Lily: Daddy, do not listen to a single word that Victoria is telling you right now.
Victoria: Go to your bedroom immediately, Lily, adults are talking right now!
Lily: No, I will not hide in my room anymore like you always force me to!