Chloe: "What is that noise? Who is at the gate?"
Maria: "It must be the delivery service for the pantry supplies."
Chloe: "Go check the monitor, quickly! I don't want strangers wandering around the grounds."
Maria hurried into the main hallway, her heart pounding in her chest. She stepped up to the security touch pad mounted near the grand staircase. The live video feed flickered to life, showing a black luxury SUV pulling smoothly up the driveway. Maria's breath hitched as she recognized the license plate immediately.
Maria: "It's Mr. Vance... he came back early."
Chloe stepped inside from the patio, holding the toddler's harness line tightly like a dog leash. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, but her expression quickly shifted into a calculated, calm smile.
Chloe: "Arthur? He wasn't supposed to fly back until late tonight. His flight from Illinois was scheduled for eight PM."
Maria: "The business trip must have ended early."
Chloe: "Fine. Quick, help me unbuckle this harness before he steps through the front door."
Maria: "No, Chloe. Let him see how you treat his son."
Chloe: "You insolent old woman! Unhook him right now or I will tell him you hit me!"
Chloe grabbed Maria's shoulder, shoving her roughly against the marble wall near the entryway. Maria gasped in pain as her shoulder struck the heavy wood trim, but she refused to touch the harness clip. Toby began to cry louder, frightened by the sudden screaming and violent movements.
Chloe: "Do what I say! Take this off him!"
Maria: "I won't cover up your abuse anymore! He deserves to know the truth about who he married!"
Chloe: "You think he'll believe a servant over his wife? I'll ruin you! I'll call the police and tell them you stole my jewelry!"
Maria: "Call them! Let them come examine the baby's skin under that strap!"
Chloe raised her hand again, her palm open, ready to strike Maria across the face a second time. But before her hand could come down, the front lock clicked open. The massive double doors swung inward with a heavy, echoing thud, revealing Arthur standing on the threshold with his briefcase in hand.
Arthur: "What in God's name is going on in here?!"
Chloe: "Arthur! Oh darling, thank goodness you're home!"
Maria: "Mr. Vance! Please, look!"
Arthur froze in place, his eyes moving from the bruised cheek on Maria's face down to the red leather leash wrapped around his wife's hand, and finally to his terrified son sitting cold and shivering on the hard floor.
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