Victoria: David! Please! Think about our reputation in high society! Think about the corporate board meeting tomorrow!
David: The corporate board reviewed your toxicology reports an hour ago, Victoria. You have been officially removed as a director of Sterling Global.
Victoria: You ruined me! You and that miserable housemaid!
Maria: You ruined yourself, Victoria, the day you decided money was worth more than a child's skin.
The officers turned Victoria around, guiding her wet, shivering frame across the light marble floor toward the open double doors. High-society reporters who had monitored the emergency police dispatch were already swarming the driveway outside, camera flashes exploding continuously against the daylight.
Reporter 1: Mrs. Sterling! Is it true you poisoned Sarah Sterling for forty million dollars?
Reporter 2: Did you burn a seven-year-old child with a clothing iron?!
Victoria thrashed wildly against the officers' grip, trying desperately to cover her wet, tear-stained face with her handcuffed hands, but the photographers captured every second of her complete, pathetic downfall.
Officer Davis pushed her head down gently, guiding her into the back seat of the lead police cruiser. The heavy metal door slammed shut with a sharp, resounding thud, cutting off her hysterical screaming once and for all.
Inside the quiet bathroom, David turned back to Maria, who was gently holding a cold gel pack against Clara's burned arm.
David: Maria... I don't even know how to begin asking for your forgiveness. You saved my daughter's life today.
Maria: You don't have to ask for anything, Mr. Sterling. I made a promise to Mrs. Sarah that I would protect Clara no matter what happened to this house.
David: Starting today, Maria, your position as housemaid is officially terminated.
Maria's heart dropped into her stomach. She looked up at David with wide, fearful eyes, her hands trembling as she held the gel pack against the little girl's skin.
Maria: Mr. Sterling... am I being fired?
David: No, Maria. You are being appointed as Chief Legal Guardian and Estate Manager for Clara's trust fund, alongside me. Your salary is quadrupled, and you will live in this mansion as a full member of our family forever.
Maria gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as fresh tears of pure joy spilled down her cheeks.
Maria: Mr. Sterling... that is far too generous! I was just doing my job!
Clara: Stay with us, Maria! Please!
Maria: I'm never leaving you, sweetie. Never again.