Victoria leaned down until her face was just inches away from Leo's small face.
The emerald diamonds on her rich gown caught the bright morning sun rays.
Victoria: You think your father will protect you forever, don't you?
Leo: Please let me pass, Victoria. The school bus is waiting outside.
Victoria: Accidents happen so easily in big houses like this!
Without a single moment of hesitation, Victoria raised her hand and shoved the boy hard.
Leo lost his balance instantly and let out a sharp scream of terror.
He tumbled backward down the steep, slick marble steps toward the main foyer.
His heavy bookbag clattered loudly down the stairs ahead of his rolling body.
Down below, Hannah heard the awful commotion and dropped her cleaning supplies instantly.
She sprinted across the slippery marble floor faster than she had ever run before.
She reached the base of the staircase right beneath the grand hanging flag.
With her arms outstretched, Hannah leaped forward to cushion the child's violent fall.
She caught Leo securely in her arms just inches before his head hit the floor.
They both slid across the smooth floor, breathing heavily in the sudden quiet air.
Leo clung tightly to Hannah's uniform, crying uncontrollably against her shoulder.
Hannah held the child tightly, checking his arms and legs for any broken bones.
Hannah: I have got you safe, sweetheart! You are okay now!
Leo: She pushed me! She did it on purpose!
Hannah looked up toward the top of the grand marble staircase with burning fury.
Victoria stood at the top step, adjusting her expensive dress with complete calm.
She slowly walked down the steps as if nothing terrible had just taken place.
Victoria: The clumsy little fool simply tripped over his own clumsy feet.
Hannah: You are a lying monster, and I saw everything with my own eyes!
Hannah stood up quickly, keeping Leo safely behind her broad shoulders.
Victoria reached the bottom step, looking down her nose at the loyal maid.
Victoria: Mind your place, Hannah, or you will be fired by nightfall.
Hannah: Don't you ever dare touch him again!
Before Victoria could react, Hannah delivered a sharp open-hand slap across her face.
The loud crack echoed through the massive foyer under the shining chandelier light.
Victoria gasped loudly, stumbling back against the bottom wooden banister post.
Her face flushed bright red where Hannah's hand had made hard contact.
Victoria: You hit me! You are a low-class maid and you hit me!
Hannah: I will do whatever it takes to protect this innocent child from you!
Victoria raised her hand to strike back, her face twisted in pure rage.
Suddenly, the massive front double doors were thrown open with a violent crash.