Victoria did not hesitate for even a single second.
She ran across the wide marble floor with pure protective fury.
Victoria: DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY BABY!
Victoria shoved Evelyn away with all the strength left in her body.
Evelyn lost her footing on the slick floor and stumbled backward hard.
The heavy iron flew out of her hand and clattered onto the rug.
Evelyn crashed onto the cold marble floor with a sharp gasp of pain.
Victoria rushed straight to the white cradle and scooped Leo into her arms.
The baby startled from the sudden motion and began to cry softly.
Victoria held the little boy tight against her trembling chest.
Victoria: My poor sweet angel! Mommy is here, Mommy's got you...
Tears of anger and fear streamed down Victoria's pale face as she sobbed.
She checked Leo's tiny feet and arms to make sure he was unhurt.
The child was safe, but the tension in the room remained dangerous.
Evelyn scrambled up from the floor with burning spite in her eyes.
Her golden gown was wrinkled, and her manicured nails dug into her palms.
She marched up behind Victoria while the mother held her child.
Before Victoria could turn around, Evelyn slapped her across the cheek.
The sharp sound echoed off the high ceilings of the opulent room.
Victoria's head snapped sideways, but her grip on Leo never loosened once.
Evelyn: You filthy maid, how dare you push me in my own house!
Victoria: You tried to hurt an innocent infant!
Evelyn: Shut your mouth before I have you thrown onto the street!
Victoria held her ground, backing toward the American flag display.
She knew Evelyn would try to flip the story the moment help arrived.
The heavy mahogany doors at the main entrance suddenly burst wide open.
Heavy footsteps echoed down the grand corridor toward the living room.
Victoria braced herself for the confrontation that was about to unfold.