Ten minutes later, Evelyn returned to the bright foyer carrying a heavy metal bucket filled with cold water and a clean cotton cloth. Victoria was still standing near the entrance, scrolling through her phone and complaining loudly to her wedding planner on speakerphone. She was demanding that the flower budget be doubled immediately using Daniel's corporate credit card, threatening to fire anyone who disagreed with her demands. Evelyn walked quietly near the base of the grand marble staircase, carrying the bucket with both hands like an experienced cleaner.
Victoria: No, I do not care about the contract! Charge it to Daniel's account!
Evelyn: Miss Sterling, the floor is ready for the final rinse.
Victoria: Can you not see that I am on an important phone call?
Victoria slammed her phone down onto the nearby marble console table with a loud crack. Her face twisted into a mask of rage as she looked down at the old woman standing before her. She had been stressed all morning about her father's pressing debts and the upcoming prenup agreement that Daniel's lawyers were preparing. Taking her frustration out on the household staff had become a habit over the past few weeks, but today she was feeling especially cruel and unstable.
Victoria: You are doing this on purpose just to annoy me!
Evelyn: I am simply following the daily house cleaning schedule, miss.
Victoria: I don't care about your schedule! I am the mistress here now!
Without a single second of warning, Victoria grabbed the heavy metal bucket directly out of Evelyn's hands. She lifted it up and dumped the icy water straight over the older woman's head and chest. The water splashed loudly across the white marble floor, soaking Evelyn's black dress and white apron completely. The heavy metal bucket fell onto the hard stone with a harsh, echoing metallic clatter that rang throughout the massive foyer. Evelyn gasped from the freezing temperature of the water, stepping back as droplets poured from her grey hair down onto her face.
Victoria: I own this house now. Learn your place!
Victoria stepped forward under the bright daylight pouring through the front doors, leaning in close with cold malice in her blue eyes. She sneered as she pointed a manicured finger directly at Evelyn's dripping chest. Evelyn stood perfectly still, shivering slightly from the cold, but her eyes remained steady behind her wet lenses. She calmly reached her hand into her wet apron pocket, her gloved fingers finding the small rubber button on her recorder. She pressed it firmly, hearing a tiny electronic click and a subtle chime that signaled the audio was saving safely.
Evelyn: You are a very cruel person, Victoria. Money cannot buy class.
Victoria: How dare you speak to me like that! I will have you fired instantly!
Evelyn: You cannot fire me from this house. You do not own it yet.
Victoria raised her hand as if she was about to slap the older woman across the face. But before her hand could strike, Evelyn took a deep breath, raised her head high under the bright sun, and called out toward the top of the marble stairs with a strong, clear voice that echoed through every room of the house.
Evelyn: Daniel, come down please!