The polished white marble of the grand living room reflected the morning glare pouring through the tall arched windows[cite: 1].
High above the stone fireplace, a large American flag hung mounted against the wall, perfectly straight and immaculate[cite: 1].
On the velvet sofa below, three-month-old Toby kicked his tiny legs, screaming at the top of his lungs[cite: 1].
Victoria stood over him in a shimmering gold embellished gown, her face twisted in disgust as steam hissed from a heavy laundry iron[cite: 1].
Victoria: Quiet down, you little brat[cite: 1]!
She lowered the glowing metallic plate closer, stopping barely an inch above the baby's bare chest as heat radiated off the metal[cite: 1].
Victoria: Your dead mother isn't here to coddle you anymore[cite: 1].
Victoria: If you don't shut your mouth, I'll give you a real reason to cry[cite: 1].
Across the hall, Maria dropped her basket of fresh linen, her eyes widening in sheer, unadulterated panic[cite: 1].
Maria: No! Stop[cite: 1]!
Maria sprinted across the slick floor in her grey maid uniform, throwing her entire body weight forward[cite: 1].
She slammed her shoulder into Victoria, shoving the heiress hard against the carved mahogany table[cite: 1].
The heavy iron clattered onto the marble tiles, sizzling loudly against the stone as steam billowed into the air[cite: 1].
Before Victoria could regain her footing, Maria swung her open palm with all the strength in her arms[cite: 1].
The first slap cracked across Victoria's face like a pistol shot[cite: 1].
Maria didn't pause, swinging her left hand back to deliver a second brutal strike across Victoria's jaw[cite: 1].
Maria: Get your dirty hands off that child[cite: 1]!
Victoria: You filthy peasant! You hit me[cite: 1]!
Maria ignored her screams, dropping to her knees by the sofa to scoop the crying infant against her heart[cite: 1].
Maria: It's okay, sweetie, you're safe now... Nana has you[cite: 1].
The heavy double doors of the foyer burst open with a thud[cite: 1].
Ethan Sterling walked in, wearing his dark burgundy suit coat, his briefcase slipping from his fingers as he took in the scene[cite: 1].
Victoria clutched her swollen cheek, tears of fake horror instantly welling in her eyes[cite: 1].
Victoria: Ethan! What is wrong with her[cite: 1]?!
Maria tightened her grip on the child, her chest heaving as she raised her tear-stained face toward the billionaire CEO, ready to reveal the darkest secret hidden inside the mansion walls[cite: 1].