Julian: Lily, look at me, sweetie.
Lily: Are you going to send Miss Cora away, Daddy?
Julian: Never. I will never send her away.
Lily: Promise?
Julian: I promise you on my life, Lily.
Julian reached out and wrapped his arms around both his daughter and the old cook kneeling on the marble.
Cora: Mr. Sterling, you don't have to do this on the floor...
Julian: No, Cora. I should have done this a long time ago.
Mrs. Gable: Mr. Sterling, this is highly unorthodox for a family of your stature!
Julian: Silence, Mrs. Gable!
The four staff members stood frozen near the staircase, their strict faces suddenly pale with panic.
Mrs. Gable: Sir, we were hired to maintain order in this estate!
Julian: You were hired to protect and care for my daughter after her mother passed away!
Lily: Miss Cora makes me warm soup when my tummy hurts.
Julian: I know, baby. I know she does.
One of the younger staff members, Clara, stepped out of the strict line with tears in her eyes.
Clara: Mr. Sterling... Mrs. Gable told us not to go into Miss Lily's room at night.
Mrs. Gable: Clara! Hold your tongue!
Clara: No, I won't! Mrs. Gable said if we spent time comforting the child, we would be fired!
Julian: Is that true, Clara?
Clara: Yes, sir. Miss Cora was the only one who ignored her orders and went upstairs anyway.
Julian turned his head toward Mrs. Gable, his eyes burning with quiet fury.
Julian: You threatened my staff for showing mercy to my motherless child?
Mrs. Gable: I was trying to build character in the girl! She needs structure, not coddling!
Lily: I choose Miss Cora!
Lily held the older woman closer, her small face radiant with confidence as she looked up at her father.
Lily: She stays!
Clara took three fast steps across the foyer and knelt beside them, placing a gentle hand on Lily's shoulder.
Clara: I'm so sorry, sweetie. I should have come into your room too.
Lily: It's okay, Clara. You can hug us now!
The other two staff members looked at each other in shame, then quickly hurried across the floor to join them.
Staff Woman 1: Forgive us, Mr. Sterling. We were afraid of losing our jobs.
Julian: The only person losing their job today is Mrs. Gable.
All four staff members and Julian wrapped their arms around Lily and Miss Cora, creating a warm group embrace in the middle of the sunlit room.
Lily: I know who is kind!
Lily giggled happily in the center of the hug, her small hands holding Cora's apron tight.
Mrs. Gable: This is absurd! You're letting a cook run this mansion!
Julian: Get your things and leave this property immediately, Mrs. Gable.
Mrs. Gable: You'll regret this, Julian! You can't raise a girl without proper upper-class discipline!
Julian: Clara, see Mrs. Gable to the gates. Make sure she leaves her keys at the front desk.
Clara: Yes, Mr. Sterling. Right away.
Mrs. Gable turned on her heel and stormed out of the front doors, her heels clicking loudly against the stone.
Julian helped Miss Cora stand up, holding her arm gently as the elderly woman wiped her eyes.
Cora: Thank you, sir. But I am just the kitchen worker here...
Julian: No, Cora. You are the heart of this house. And starting today, things are going to change.