David didn't listen to his wife's words. He dropped down to his knees on the hard floor, rushing forward to scoop little Leo into his arms. The baby clung tightly to his father's suit jacket, burring his wet, tear-stained face into David's chest. David held the child close, rocking him gently while checking his tiny arms and legs for injuries.
"Shh, daddy's here. I've got you, Leo. I've got you," David muttered softly, his heart breaking into a thousand pieces as he felt the baby trembling in fear. He looked up at Clara, who was standing a few feet away, clutching her chest and crying softly.
"Clara, what happened here?" David asked, his voice low and dangerous. "Tell me right now."
Before Clara could answer, Victoria stepped forward, her red dress rustling loudly. "David, don't listen to her! She is incompetent! She dropped Leo on the floor, and when I tried to save him, she attacked me! I was trying to pull him away from her! Look at her, she's unstable!"
Clara wiped the tears from her eyes and stepped forward, facing the billionaire directly. She didn't look down at the floor this time. She looked David straight in the eyes, her voice loud and clear. "She is lying, Mr. Sterling! She hurts the child every time you leave! Every single time!"
David turned his head slowly to look at the maid. He saw the dark, ugly bruise on her cheek and the fierce protectiveness in her eyes as she looked at Leo. "What did you say?" David asked softly.
"She doesn't care about baby Leo!" Clara sobbed, tears streaming down her bruised cheek. "Whenever you go on business trips, she locks him in his room for hours. She screams at him. Today, she dragged him across the floor because he was crying! When I tried to stop her earlier this week, she slapped me! Look at my face, sir! She did this to me!"
"That is a complete lie! She's trying to extort money from us!" Victoria screamed, her calm mask completely shattering. She lunged toward Clara with her hands raised, her sharp nails aiming for the maid's face. "Shut your mouth, you poor trash!"
David stood up quickly, keeping Leo safely tucked against his chest with one arm. Before Victoria could touch Clara, David stepped in between them. His face twisted into intense, furious rage, his jaw locked tight and his teeth gritting with anger he had never felt in his entire life.
With a swift, powerful movement, David raised his open palm and slapped Victoria hard across the face. The sharp impact sounded like a gunshot in the grand hallway. Victoria's head snapped to the side, and she stumbled backward, landing hard on the marble floor. Her red gown pooled around her as she gasped in complete shock, holding her cheek.
"How dare you touch my child!" David roared, his voice shaking the entire entryway. "How dare you abuse my baby in my own home!"