Nathan reached the edge of the hallway and paused right next to the framed flag.
He could hear Sarah's sharp voice echoing off the hard marble walls of the corridor.
Sarah: You will keep your mouth shut about these papers!
Elena: He has a right to know what you took from his daughter!
Sarah: This is my home and you are just the maid here!
Nathan felt his blood run cold as he listened to the hostile words being spoken.
He had known Elena for ten years because she took care of the home and Lily.
Elena was always soft-spoken, patient, and completely dedicated to protecting little Lily.
Hearing Sarah speak so harshly to Elena made Nathan step closer to the open door.
He saw Sarah standing in her golden-brown dress holding a wooden stick in her hands.
She was standing over Elena and little Lily who were cowering down on the marble floor.
Lily was wearing her favorite mint-green dress and holding tight to Elena's arm.
Sarah raised her voice higher as she pointed at the legal papers scattered across the floor.
Sarah: If you tell Nathan anything about the estate money, you are fired!
Elena: You cannot hide the truth from him forever, Sarah!
Lily: Mommy, please stop yelling at us!
Sarah glared down at the child with cold eyes while clutching the heavy wooden stick.
She swung the stick downward toward the floor to strike near Elena to intimidate her.
The loud wood impact thudded sharply against the floor right near Elena's knee.
Lily screamed in fear and buried her face into Elena's shoulder on the ground.
Nathan felt a wave of absolute fury surge through his body at that terrible sight.
He pushed the hallway door wide open and stepped into the room with dark eyes.
Nathan: Stop right now!