The bright sunlight flooded through the tall glass windows of the grand ballroom, lighting up the white marble floor and the crystal chandelier above.
Dozens of wealthy guests stood in small groups, sipping champagne and talking quietly.
Suddenly, a harsh, painful scream shattered the polite noise of the room.
Evelyn: You clumsy, useless girl! Look at what you did to my dress!
Victoria, a young maid in a simple grey uniform, was kneeling on the cold marble floor.
Her hands were shaking violently as she reached for a spilled silver tray.
She was heavily pregnant, her small baby bump clearly visible under her apron.
Victoria: I am so sorry, Mrs. Montgomery! Someone bumped into my shoulder...
Evelyn: Don't you dare lie to me! You did this on purpose!
Evelyn Vance, dressed in a sweeping beige gown, reached down with a look of utter disgust.
She grabbed Victoria's brown hair tightly in her hand and pulled back hard.
Victoria gasped in pain, her hands flying up to clutch at Evelyn's wrist.
Victoria: Please, ma'am! You're hurting me! Please let go!
Evelyn: You need to be taught a lesson! You don't belong in a room like this!
The surrounding guests turned to watch, whispering behind their gloved hands, but no one stepped forward to help.
Victoria's eyes filled with tears as the sharp pain pulled at her scalp.
Victoria: Please, my baby... please don't do this!
Evelyn: Your baby should know its place, just like you!
A loud, furious voice suddenly echoed from the grand arched entrance of the ballroom.
Julian: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! LET GO OF HER!
Julian Montgomery, the heir to the massive estate, strode into the hall with fast, angry steps.
His jaw was tightly set, and his black tuxedo jacket flared as he moved straight toward the scene.
Evelyn immediately let go of Victoria's hair, her face turning pale as she turned to face him.
Evelyn: Sir... your maid forgot her place, so I was just correcting her!
Julian stopped directly in front of Evelyn, his eyes burning with absolute rage.
Julian: You put your hands on her in my house?
Evelyn: She ruined my Italian silk dress! I had every right to—
Before Evelyn could finish her sentence, Julian raised his hand and delivered a hard, heavy slap across her left cheek.
The sharp sound cracked through the ballroom like a gunshot, sending a shockwave through the crowd.