The bright daylight flooded through the grand glass doors of the Sterling estate, casting a harsh glow across the pristine white marble floors[cite: 1]. Victoria adjusted her silk dress, her eyes cold as she stared down at the young woman kneeling before her[cite: 1].
Victoria: You missed a spot right here, girl[cite: 1].
Elena: I'm sorry, ma'am, I've scrubbed this marble three times already today[cite: 1].
Victoria: Are you talking back to me[cite: 1]?
Elena: No, ma'am, I'm just trying to explain—
Before Elena could finish her sentence, Victoria's hand flew through the air, landing with a loud, vicious slap across Elena's cheek[cite: 1]. The force sent the young woman sprawling onto the hard marble floor[cite: 1].
Victoria: CLEAN THIS UP RIGHT NOW[cite: 1]!
Elena lay on the cold stone, her hand covering her burning cheek as soft sobs escaped her throat[cite: 1]. Victoria stood over her with an arrogant grin, pointing firmly at the ground[cite: 1].
Victoria: You are a useless servant, and I will make sure you never work in another luxury home in this city again[cite: 1].
Elena: Please... I didn't mean any disrespect...
Victoria: I don't care about your excuses! Get on your hands and knees and finish wiping this floor, or I'll throw you out on the street myself!
Elena wiped the tears from her bruised cheek, her body trembling with absolute terror[cite: 1]. She tried to pull herself up, but her knees were shaking too hard to stand.
Suddenly, the massive front double doors swung open with a heavy echo[cite: 1]. Footsteps clicked rapidly against the marble floor as a handsome man in a dark suit stepped into the foyer[cite: 1].
Julian: What in the world is going on here[cite: 1]?!
Julian stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening in pure horror as he took in the scene before him[cite: 1]. Victoria's fake smile instantly dropped, but before she could speak, Julian rushed across the room and dropped to his knees right beside Elena[cite: 1].
Julian: WHO DID THIS TO YOU[cite: 1]?!
Elena: It... it hurts so bad...
Julian: Look at me, sweetheart. Tell me who hit you!
Elena's hand shook as she raised her arm, her voice cracking with sobbing desperation as she pointed straight toward the staircase[cite: 1].
Elena: IT WAS YOUR NEW WIFE... SHE SLAPPED ME[cite: 1]!
Victoria: NO, DARLING! SHE'S LYING TO YOU[cite: 1]!
Julian stared at Victoria, his face flushing crimson as a wave of dark, uncontrollable fury swept over him[cite: 1]. Victoria took a nervous step backward on the stairs, but it was already too late[cite: 1].