The golden chandeliers cast a warm light across the marble floor of the grand estate.
Musicians played soft classical tunes in the corner of the crowded ballroom.
Wealthy guests walked around in expensive clothes while sipping expensive champagne.
Victoria adjusted her sparkling gold gown as she watched the servants work.
She held a cold look in her eyes whenever a staff member walked past her.
Elena kept her head down while carefully wiping down the wooden tables.
She wore the simple black and white uniform of the house staff.
Her hands worked quickly because she needed to finish her assigned duties.
Victoria suddenly stepped into Elena's path with an angry expression on her face.
She spilled her dark wine onto the polished surface of the floor on purpose.
"Look at the terrible mess you just made," Victoria said loudly.
Several guests turned their heads to watch the growing argument near the entrance.
"I am so sorry, ma'am," Elena whispered softly while stepping back.
"Sorry is not enough when you ruin my evening," Victoria hissed back.
She grabbed a heavy leather strap from a nearby display stand with rage.
"Clean my shoes right now," Victoria shouted across the bright room.
Elena dropped down to her knees to clean up the spilled liquid quickly.
Tears welled up in her eyes as the crowd watched her in silence.
Victoria raised the heavy leather strap high into the air above Elena.
She prepared to make a scene to humiliate the poor young worker further.
A tall man in a black coat suddenly moved across the floor quickly.
Julian reached out and caught Victoria's wrist before she could do anything.
His grip was firm and steady as he held her arm mid-air.
"Why are you holding that?" Julian asked in a stern tone.
Victoria gasped loudly and pulled back her hand in deep shock.
She placed her palm over her chest and pretended to be afraid.
"She attacked me first!" Victoria claimed with a dramatic look on her face.
Julian did not look convinced by her sudden panic at all.
He stepped past Victoria and looked down at the crying young woman.
Elena remained on the marble floor with her shoulders shaking gently.
"Did you do that to her?" Julian asked in a soft voice.
Elena shook her head frantically as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"No, I swear I didn't!" Elena cried out from the floor.
Julian knelt down on the cold floor right beside the weeping maid.
He reached out towards her uniform collar with a quiet suspicion.
His fingers pulled back the edge of her shirt collar very gently.
A small silver coin pendant necklace glittered underneath the bright light.
Julian stared at the metal coin as his eyes widened in shock.
The room seemed to grow silent around them in that exact moment.