The guests slowly dispersed back into the ballroom, leaving Julian, Leo, and Clara alone in the dust-filled hallway.
Julian gently sat his son down on a soft velvet bench near the grand staircase.
Clara brought a warm blanket and a glass of fresh juice for the tired boy.
Leo wrapped the blue blanket around his small shoulders and took a small sip.
Julian: How long were you in there, Leo?
Leo: Since yesterday morning, Daddy.
Clara: She must have put him in there while you were at the city office.
Leo: She told me if I made a sound, she would send you away forever.
Julian closed his eyes tightly as fresh tears rolled down his cheeks.
He knelt down in front of his son and wrapped his hands gently around Leo's small fingers.
Julian: I am so sorry I did not protect you, Leo.
Leo: Clara heard me tapping on the pipe.
Julian: Clara saved your life tonight.
Julian turned his head toward the quiet maid who stood respectfully near the broken wall.
He stood up and walked over to her, taking her dust-covered hand in his own.
Julian: I can never repay you for what you did today.
Clara: I only did what any decent person would do, Mr. Vance.
Julian: You did what a mother would have done.
Clara looked down at her stained uniform, feeling a soft blush touch her cheeks.
She had loved this boy like her own since his mother had passed away years ago.
She could not bear the thought of anything bad happening to his gentle heart.
Julian: Tomorrow, everything in this house changes.
Clara: What do you mean, sir?
Julian: Evelyn will face full criminal charges for child endangerment and kidnapping.
Clara: She deserves to answer for what she did to Leo.
Julian: And you will never have to clean another wall in this mansion again.