Clara reached the top floor of the grand foyer and held her small car.
The upper balcony overlooked the main entrance door far down below.
A thick brass railing went along the edge of the high upper floor.
Clara sat down on the polished floor to roll her toy against the railing.
The red toy car slipped through the bars and rested right on the ledge.
Clara leaned down carefully to pick up her favorite little car.
Suddenly, the sound of heavy heels echoed directly behind the young girl.
Victoria walked up the grand staircase with a cold and focused stare.
She saw Clara leaning against the high railing near the open drop.
Instead of helping the child, Victoria walked closer with silent steps.
She reached out her hand and kicked the small toy car off the ledge.
The toy car fell down and crashed onto the marble floor below with a loud noise.
Clara gasped and tried to grab her toy before it slipped completely away.
Victoria grabbed Clara by her small backpack strap and pulled her backward roughly.
Clara lost her balance on the smooth floor and fell against the wooden step.
Clara: Hey! Why did you do that to my car?
Victoria: Be quiet, you ungrateful little brat!
Clara began to cry loudly as her elbow hurt from the rough force.
Victoria leaned down low until her face was inches away from Clara's cheek.
Victoria: Nobody hears you up here, and nobody cares about your crying.
Clara: My daddy loves me and he will stop you!
Victoria: Your daddy will do whatever I tell him to do with his money.
Victoria grabbed Clara's small wrist tightly so the girl could not move.
Clara struggled to pull away, but the stepmother held her with firm strength.
The young girl screamed in sheer terror as she was held near the stairs.
Down below in the driveway, Mark was stepping out of his luxury car.
He forgot his briefcase inside the house and had turned back to fetch it.
As he stepped into the foyer, he heard his daughter's sharp scream echoed above.
The sheer terror in Clara's voice made Mark's blood run completely cold.
He dropped his leather briefcase onto the ground without a second thought.
Mark: Clara! What is happening up there?
Mark looked up and saw Clara struggling near the top balcony edge.
Victoria stood over the frightened girl with a cold and callous smile.
Mark sprinted forward across the slick white marble floor with fast strides.
He jumped up the grand staircase three steps at a time to reach them.