Elena stood her ground while lifting the small child firmly into her arms.
Victoria marched forward with her heels clicking loudly on the polished floor.
Victoria: You are a hired employee, and you will obey me!
Elena grabbed a crystal glass from the nearby tray and smashed it down.
The glass shattered across the marble, scattering sharp pieces across the floor.
Elena: You locked an innocent baby inside a dark wall compartment?!
Victoria: You do not understand the legal complexity of this situation!
The little girl pointed her small finger back toward the dark wall opening.
Toddler: Brother... my brother is still trapped inside there.
Elena felt a chill run down her spine as the child spoke.
She pulled out her smartphone and switched on the bright LED flashlight beam.
She shone the white light deep into the narrow space behind the wall.
A small boy sat tied to a wooden chair near the back wall.
Elena stepped forward, her body shaking with intense righteous anger.
She turned back toward Victoria, who stood near the broken glass.
Elena swung her palm forward and struck Victoria across the cheek.
The sharp hit knocked Victoria sideways against the bright white wall.
Victoria: How dare you lay a hand on me in my home!
Elena: I am calling the authorities right this second!
Victoria straightened her posture and pulled a small black device from her pocket.
She pressed a button, and heavy iron security doors began sliding shut over the exits.
Elena realized the front doors and windows were being locked down electronically.
She backed away toward the side corridor holding the little girl tight.
Victoria: Nobody leaves this house until my husband gets back from town.
Elena knew she had to find another exit before Arthur returned home.
She rushed back to the secret door to free the young boy quickly.
Her heart pounded against her ribs as she unraveled the rope bindings.
Boy: Thank you, lady, please help us get out of here.
Elena: I promise I will get both of you out safely.
She grabbed both children's hands and moved rapidly toward the kitchen pantry.
The home was vast, but Elena knew every service passage intimately.
Victoria called out down the hallway as her footsteps gave chase.
Victoria: You cannot run anywhere with those children, Elena!