By seven o'clock in the evening, the grand foyer of the Vanguard mansion was filled with hundreds of wealthy guests. Men wore sharp black tuxedos while women wore designer gowns made of silk and gold lace. Soft violin music played in the background as waiters carried silver trays filled with champagne glasses. Evelyn walked around the room like a queen, wearing a shiny golden sequined dress that caught everyone's attention.
Clara stood near the side wall holding a tray of clean napkins. Her cheek still burned from the morning slap, but she stayed quiet because Julian was supposed to arrive soon from his business meeting. She kept her eyes on the double entrance doors, hoping to see his face and feel safe again. Her baby kicked softly inside her, as if telling her to hang on just a little longer.
Evelyn: Look at this filthy girl ruining our party view.
Evelyn walked over to Clara with a crowd of wealthy friends following close behind her. She smirked as she held a glass of red wine, intentionally tilting it over Clara's white apron. The dark liquid stained the clean cloth immediately, making several guests chuckle softly in amusement.
Clara: Please, Miss Evelyn, I am just doing my work.
Evelyn: Your work is to stay out of my sight! Kneel down!
The guests around them gasped, but nobody stepped forward to help the poor girl. They all wanted to stay on Evelyn's good side because her father controlled a large portion of the family trust fund. Evelyn pushed Clara's shoulder roughly, forcing the pregnant woman down onto her knees on the hard floor.
Clara held her belly tightly with both hands to protect her baby from the fall. Blood trickled down from a small cut on her forehead where she hit the base of a stone pillar. She looked up with tears streaming down her pale face, feeling completely broken and embarrassed in front of the laughing crowd.
Clara: Please stop... I am carrying a child!
Evelyn: You think a maid's baby matters in this house?
Evelyn stepped closer and lifted a pair of silver scissors from a nearby flower decoration table. She held the sharp blades close to Clara's long brown hair while the crowd watched in silence. Evelyn wanted to destroy Clara's pride completely and show everyone who held real power inside this estate.
Clara wept softly, feeling helpless as the cold metal touched her head. She closed her eyes tight and prayed for Julian to come home. She knew that if she fought back, Evelyn's lawyers would twist the story and ruin their lives before Julian could explain the truth to the family board.
Evelyn: You'll always be nothing but a filthy servant! I'll strip away every ounce of your dignity!
Evelyn raised the scissors high into the air, ready to cut Clara's hair right in front of the entire party. The sharp sound of opening blades echoed through the quiet room as the guests held their breath in suspense.