The long, sunlit corridor of the Sterling estate was lined with tall white columns and expensive antique oil paintings[cite: 1].
Seven-year-old Toby stumbled along the polished wooden boards in his tailored navy suit, crying hysterically as his shoes dragged uselessly behind him[cite: 1].
Victoria: Move your feet, you clumsy little stray! I told you not to enter the west gallery[cite: 1]!
Toby: Please let go of my wrist! You're hurting me! I want my dad[cite: 1]!
Victoria: Your father isn't here to save you from this family, and you are going straight into the cellar pantry[cite: 1]!
Victoria pulled him hard by his sleeve, her green silk evening dress rustling against the dark wainscoting as her heels clicked sharply on the floor[cite: 1].
Toby: Let me go! Help me! Somebody help me[cite: 1]!
Victoria: Shut your screaming mouth right now! Nobody in this house cares about a penniless orphan[cite: 1]!
From the service archway near the kitchen, a young maid in a maroon jacket and black apron sprinted into the hallway[cite: 1].
Clara: I have you[cite: 1]!
Clara threw herself forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Toby's waist and pulling the boy away from Victoria's tight grip[cite: 1].
Victoria: Get your filthy hands off him, you common maid! How dare you interfere with family discipline[cite: 1]!
Clara: Don't you dare touch him again[cite: 1]!
Clara dropped to her knees on the wooden floor, shielding the weeping child with her own body while glaring upward in sheer outrage[cite: 1].
Victoria: You are fired, Clara! Pack your bags and get off this estate before I have the guards throw you into the street[cite: 1]!
Clara: I don't answer to you, Miss Vance! I take orders from Mr. Sterling alone[cite: 1]!
The heavy mahogany double doors at the end of the corridor suddenly swung open with an explosive crash that shook the glass light fixtures overhead[cite: 1].
Carter Sterling stormed through the entrance in a sharp navy three-piece suit, his jaw clenched tight and his eyes blazing with fury[cite: 1].
Carter: What is going on here[cite: 1]?!
Carter marched down the hall, but Victoria had no idea that the sealed folder in his inner pocket was about to destroy her entire life[cite: 1].