Richard stepped into the main hall holding a stack of legal papers.
His expensive black suit was tailored to perfection without a single wrinkle.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the kneeling maid.
His brow furrowed into a bitter line of pure, sharp rage.
Richard: What exactly do you think you're doing?
Elena jumped in surprise, her heart hammering wildly against her ribcage.
She stood up quickly, trying to shield the elderly man behind her.
The old man held the plate tightly, frozen in utter fear and confusion.
Richard marched across the white hall with long, heavy, furious strides.
He pointed an angry finger directly at Elena's pale, trembling face.
Richard: You brought a beggar inside my estate right before my gala?
Elena: He was hungry, sir! He hasn't eaten since yesterday.
Richard: I do not pay you to run a soup kitchen here!
Elena: He was fainting on your steps, Mr. Vance.
Richard: You disobeyed my direct orders and ruined my clean hallway.
Elena felt tears stinging the corners of her dark, tired eyes.
She looked down at the old man who was trembling in fear.
Richard did not show a single drop of pity or human warmth.
He looked at the elderly guest like he was trash on marble.
Richard: Throw that food in the trash and get him out.
Elena: Please, sir, just let him finish this one meal.
Richard: Do not dare talk back to me in my home!
Elena clenched her hands tightly together to stop them from shaking.
She thought about her daughter's pending medical bills back at home.
She knew she needed this job to pay for every treatment.
Yet her soul refused to snatch food from a starving man's hands.
Richard stepped closer, his shadow completely covering Elena and the guest.
He sneered at her uniform and her humble, tear-stained face.
Richard: You are a servant who forgot her proper place today.
Elena: Helping a human being is never a mistake, sir.
Richard: Hand in your apron. You're fired!
The harsh words echoed loudly off the high ceiling of the hall.
Elena gasped, her mouth opening wide as sob broke from her chest.
She reached up with shaking fingers to touch the white cloth strings.
Her whole life felt like it was crumbling in one second.
The dramatic sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the adjacent dining room.