The morning sun filtered through the tall stained-glass windows of the grand dining room, casting long golden light across the polished oak table. Catherine stood over the head of the table, her silk gown rustling loudly as she slammed her hand against the fine wood.
Catherine: You are the help! Get out of that chair right now!
Clara: The tea is still warm, Catherine. I am not finished sitting here.
Catherine: You have lost your mind! You clean these floors! You do not sit at my table and drink from my crystal cups!
Clara lifted the silver teacup slowly, taking a quiet sip while Catherine gasped in total disbelief.
Clara: It was never your table to begin with.
Catherine: Robert! Get down here right now and fire this insolent girl!
Clara set the cup down with a soft metallic clink that echoed across the vast, quiet room. Her freckled face remained calm, her dark eyes staring directly into Catherine's furious face without a single trace of fear.
Clara: Calling Robert won't change what is written in the court records, Catherine.
Catherine: You are a low-class maid in a gray uniform! You have nothing!
Clara reached inside the collar of her uniform, pulling out a heavy silver key attached to a delicate chain around her neck.
Clara: I own this house, Catherine.
Catherine: What are you talking about?! Put that away!
Heavy footsteps echoed down the grand marble staircase, and Robert stepped into the dining room wearing his tailored gray suit. His eyes locked onto the silver key glinting in Clara's hand, and his face instantly turned completely white.
Robert: Grace's key...
Clara: You abandoned my mother twenty years ago to take her estate, Robert. Now pack your things and get out of my house.
Catherine: Robert! Tell her she's crazy! Tell her to leave!
Robert stood frozen in the doorway, his shoulders slumping as his head bowed low in deep, overwhelming guilt.
Catherine: Robert! Speak to me! Why aren't you saying anything?!
Catherine grabbed his arm, shaking him violently as her voice rose to a hysterical scream that echoed through the entire mansion.
Catherine: She's your daughter!
The silence that followed was suffocating, holding the dark secrets of the mansion suspended in the cool morning air.