The morning sun poured through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of the Sterling family mansion, casting long shadows across the polished oak hardwood floors. It was supposed to be a quiet Saturday morning before the grand charity gala, but the silence inside the grand hall did not last very long.
Heavy, rapid footsteps echoed down the grand staircase as Eleanor, the family grandmother, came running toward the front entrance with pure panic on her face. Her grey hair was styled neatly, and her expensive suburban dress fluttered around her ankles as she sprinted toward the kitchen door.
Grandmother: Help! Someone please help me!
The young maid, Clara, stepped out from the adjacent dining room holding a fresh basket of folded linen. She dropped the heavy basket onto the white crown molding edge, her wide brown eyes full of deep worry as she rushed forward to meet the older woman.
Clara: Mrs. Sterling, what happened? Are you okay?
Eleanor did not answer with words right away. Instead, the frail woman grabbed Clara by the arms and pulled her into a tight, desperate embrace right in the middle of the foyer. Her entire body shook as heavy tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her wrinkled cheeks.
Grandmother: Oh thank God you're here, Clara! I could not find him anywhere in the garden!
Clara: Shh, calm down. Who is missing? Is it little Leo?
Before Eleanor could answer, high-pitched shouts echoed from the back hallway leading to the outdoor swimming pool. Seven-year-old Leo came sprinting around the corner, his small black tuxedo jacket unbuttoned and trailing behind him like a cape. His face was red and covered in tears as he called out into the open room.
Boy: Mommy! Mommy! Help me!
Close behind the frightened boy was Victoria, his wealthy mother, wearing an elegant champagne-colored silk gown that swept against the floor. Her face was twisted with intense rage as her heavy designer heels clicked loudly against the hard floor. She was moving with terrifying speed, her eyes locked entirely on the terrified child.
Victoria: Stop running right now, Leo! Come back here!
Leo did not head toward his mother. Instead, the little boy threw his small arms around Clara’s waist, burying his wet face directly into her plain grey maid uniform. Clara immediately knelt down on the hard floor, wrapping her arms protectively around the child to shield him from his mother's fury.
Clara: It is okay, sweetie. You are safe now. I have got you.
Victoria: Don't you dare touch my son, you filthy servant!
Victoria reached down and grabbed Leo by his small collar, yanking him backward with extreme force. Leo let out a sharp cry as he was pulled away, but before Clara could even stand up, Victoria stepped forward and raised her right hand high in the air. The air felt cold as the sudden strike came down.
A loud, sharp slap echoed through the massive high-ceiling hallway as Victoria’s open hand struck Clara squarely across the cheek. The force of the strike made Clara's head snap back violently, sending her spinning onto the hardwood floor as a bright red mark instantly formed across her pale skin.