The bright morning sunlight streamed through the tall crystal windows of the Grand Manor ballroom. White marble floors sparkled under the big glass chandeliers, and an American flag hung proudly on the high main wall. Victoria stood in the center of the big room, wearing a very expensive beige silk gown. Her face was twisted with pure anger as she looked down at the young maid kneeling on the floor. Elena was only twenty-two years old, wearing a plain gray maid uniform with white trim. She was trembling as her small hands rested on the cold floor.
Victoria: You thought you could hide your thievery from me, didn't you?
Elena: I never took anything, ma'am. I swear on my life!
Victoria: Silence! You are a liar and a thief!
Victoria lifted Elena's brown leather purse high in the air and turned it upside down. Expensive gold watches, heavy silver rings, and diamond earrings spilled out onto the marble floor with a loud crash. The heavy metal noise echoed off the grand walls. Guests and servants stood along the edges of the room, whispering to each other in shock. Among the piles of shiny jewelry lay a simple, worn silver locket that had opened when it hit the floor. Inside the tiny frame was a faded photograph of a young woman with smiling brown eyes.
Elena: Please! Do not touch that locket! That belonged to my mother!
Victoria: Shut your mouth! Everything in this bag belongs to this family!
Elena: I have never stolen a single penny in my entire life!
Elena wept bitterly on her knees beside the scattered wealth, her hot tears dripping onto the cold white floor. She tried to reach out her hand to grab the tiny silver locket, but Victoria stepped forward and kicked the girl's hand away with her high heel shoes. The rich guests watched in silence, too afraid to speak up against the cruel mistress of the estate. Victoria had ruled the house with an iron fist for over fifteen years, ever since she married the famous billionaire real estate tycoon, Richard Vance. She controlled the household staff, the family budget, and every single charity event hosted at the mansion.
Victoria: Call the police right now! I want this trash thrown in prison!
Elena: Please, someone help me! I am innocent!
Victoria: Look at all this expensive jewelry on the floor! The proof is right here!
Elena buried her face in her hands, her body shaking with big, heavy sobs. She had worked at the mansion for only three months to pay off her late foster mother's hospital bills and save up money for college. She worked sixteen hours every day, scrubbing floors, polishing silver, and cleaning bedrooms without a single complaint. But Victoria had targeted her from the very first week, constantly giving her impossible chores and calling her worthless names. Now, it seemed her life was completely ruined because of a crime she did not commit.
Victoria: You will spend the next ten years behind bars where you belong!
Elena: God knows the truth! I did not touch your jewelry!
Victoria laughed cruelly and folded her arms across her chest, looking down at the poor girl with deep hatred in her eyes. The guests shook their heads, believing that the young maid was guilty of stealing thousands of dollars worth of family heirlooms. Nobody stepped forward to help her as she sat crying on the floor.