As soon as the iron gates closed behind Arthur's car, the atmosphere inside the mansion shifted immediately. Victoria turned around on the marble hallway, her soft blue eyes turning cold and dangerous. She pulled off her delicate gold ring and glared sharply at Sarah, who was still holding Lily's hand near the staircase.
Victoria: Take that brat upstairs to her room right now and lock the door from the outside.
Sarah: Mrs. Vance, it is time for her lunch. She needs to eat her soup first.
Victoria: Did I ask for your opinion, Sarah? Do what I tell you or pack your bags today!
Sarah squeezed Lily's trembling fingers and walked up the carpeted stairs toward the child's bedroom. Lily began sobbing quietly, holding onto Sarah's apron with both of her small hands. Inside the bedroom, Sarah noticed small purple spots on Lily's upper arms. The child had been hiding them under long sleeves for weeks, but now Sarah could see them clearly under the bright afternoon light.
Sarah: Sweetheart, where did you get these bad marks on your skin?
Lily: Stepmother pinched me because I dropped my cup of orange juice yesterday.
Sarah: Did she hit you anywhere else, Lily? You can tell me the truth.
Lily: She said if I tell Daddy, she will send my puppy away and lock me in the dark basement.
Sarah felt a wave of horror wash over her body as she looked at the innocent child's tear-stained face. She realized that Victoria had been abusing the little girl in secret for weeks, using Arthur's frequent business trips to inflict pain without getting caught. Victoria always made sure the marks were hidden under thick clothes where Arthur would never notice during his brief stops at home.
Sarah took a deep breath and decided she could no longer remain silent about the terrible cruelty. She pulled out her mobile phone from her pocket and attempted to send a text message directly to Arthur's personal line. But before the message could send, the heavy bedroom door creaked open, and Victoria stepped into the room with a sneer on her face.
Victoria: Who are you texting on that cheap phone, Sarah?
Sarah: I am telling Mr. Vance what you are doing to his daughter!
Victoria: Give me that phone right now, you pathetic little maid!
Victoria rushed forward and snatched the device out of Sarah's hands, tossing it violently against the hardwood wall. The glass screen shattered into tiny pieces across the floor, breaking the phone completely. Lily screamed in horror and hid behind Sarah's skirt, trembling like a leaf in the cold wind.
Victoria: You think Arthur will believe a lying maid over his beautiful wife? I will destroy your life if you say another word!
Sarah: You are a monster, Victoria! She is just a little girl!
Victoria raised her hand and delivered a hard slap across Sarah's face, sending a loud sharp crack echoing through the room. Sarah stumbled backward against the wooden table, holding her burning cheek in shock. Victoria grabbed Sarah's hair and leaned in close, whispering threats into her ear while Lily cried hysterically in the corner.