Three weeks passed quickly as Clara settled into her daily routine at the estate.
She spent most of her long days caring for baby Leo in the bright nursery.
Leo was a joyful baby with large blue eyes and a sweet ringing laugh.
Clara grew deeply fond of the sweet little boy with each passing afternoon.
Mr. Julian Vance was often away in high-stakes corporate boardrooms managing his empire.
Whenever Julian came home, he held his small son with immense warmth and tenderness.
Yet whenever Julian left the grounds, Victoria's demeanor changed instantly into harsh cruelty.
She treat the household staff with harsh demands and constant cold insults.
One sunny afternoon, Clara was pushing Leo in his silver stroller through the foyer.
Victoria walked briskly out of the living room, clutching a stack of expensive shopping bags.
Victoria: Get that noisy brat out of my path right this second!
Clara: He is completely quiet, ma'am. He is just enjoying his peaceful afternoon nap.
Victoria: I do not care! His presence annoys me endlessly!
Clara gently pulled the stroller back to clear the wide walkway.
Victoria: He is just a constant reminder of Julian's former wife.
Clara was shocked by the sheer bitterness in Victoria's cold sharp voice.
Clara: He is just an innocent baby, Mrs. Vance.
Victoria: Do not dare talk back to me, you lowly servant!
Victoria stepped dangerously close to Clara with a sharp glint in her eyes.
Victoria: If that child was not here, the entire estate trust would belong to me.
Clara felt a wave of fear wash over her fragile frame.
She realized that Victoria did not just dislike the little boy.
Victoria viewed baby Leo as a direct obstacle to her total financial control.
Clara: Mr. Vance loves his son more than anything in this world.
Victoria: Julian will love whatever I tell him to love!
Victoria snapped her gold fan shut with a loud cracking noise.
Victoria: Watch your step, Clara, or you will find yourself out on the street.
Clara clutched the handles of the stroller tightly to stop her shaking fingers.
She knew she had to watch Victoria very closely from now on.