At the top of the second-floor balcony, a heavy wooden door swung open with a soft sound. Daniel Vance stepped out, wearing a sharply tailored dark blue suit with a silk tie, preparing to leave for his afternoon board meeting. Hearing his mother's distinct voice call out his name made his heart skip a beat. He looked over the polished wooden railing and saw two figures standing in the center of the flooded foyer. He did not hesitate for a single second, turning quickly and rushing down the wide marble staircase as fast as his feet could carry him.
Daniel: What is going on down there? What was that noise?
Victoria: Daniel, thank goodness you are here! Save me!
The moment Victoria heard Daniel's polished leather shoes hitting the marble steps, her mean expression melted away instantly. She gasped dramatically, clutching her chest with both hands as fake tears filled her eyes. She dropped to her knees right next to the puddle of water, ruining her green satin dress on purpose to make herself look like a helpless victim. She pointed an accusing finger at the soaked older woman standing quietly in front of her.
Victoria: Daniel, this crazy woman just attacked me! She poured water on me!
Daniel: Victoria, stop screaming for a second! Who is this?
Victoria: She is a new temp cleaner! She threw a bucket at me!
Daniel reached the bottom three steps of the staircase, his forehead wrinkled with confusion and deep concern. The bright natural daylight flooded the lower hall, illuminating the splash marks on the high walls and the heavy puddle covering the entrance. He looked at the drenched maid whose back was half-turned toward him. The woman did not look panicked at all. Instead, she slowly raised her hands to her head, taking hold of the heavy black horn-rimmed eyeglasses that covered half her face.
Evelyn: Look closely at my face, son.
With a smooth, deliberate motion, Evelyn unclipped the wet eyeglasses and set them down on the edge of the bannister. She turned around completely to face the stairs, pulling off her wet hairnet to let her silver hair fall naturally around her shoulders. She stood tall, wiping a trickle of cold water from her cheek with her gloved thumb. Her eyes, the exact shade of deep hazel as Daniel's, stared directly into his eyes with calm authority and emotional weight.
Daniel: Mom?!
Victoria: What... what did you just call her?
Daniel stopped dead in his tracks on the bottom step, his jaw dropping in absolute shock and total disbelief. His eyes widened as his mind tried to process the sight of his billionaire mother standing in a wet maid's apron in their front hall. His breathing hitched as he looked at her dripping clothes, then turned his gaze slowly toward Victoria, who was still sitting on the wet floor with a look of pure horror freezing her face.
Daniel: Mom, what are you doing in that uniform? Are you okay?
Evelyn: I am fine, Daniel. But your fiancee has a lot of explaining to do.