The grand marble entrance of the estate felt cold and tense.
Victoria adjusted her expensive green dress while glaring down the steps.
Young Leo held tightly to the wooden railing near the landing.
His hands shook as he looked up at his stepmother.
Victoria: You think you own this mansion just because of your mother!
Leo: My dad said this house belongs to our whole family!
Victoria: Your father is blind to the truth about your inheritance!
She took a sharp step forward on the smooth marble floor.
Leo: Please stay back, I did nothing wrong to you!
Victoria: You exist only to ruin my future in this home!
Leo backed away until his heels touched the top step.
He gripped a silver heirloom locket firmly inside his pocket.
Victoria: Hand over that locket right now, you spoiled child!
Leo: No, this belonged to my real mother before she died!
Victoria: It belongs to this estate, and I control this estate now!
She reached out aggressively to grab the golden chain around his neck.
Leo stumbled back a step, gasping in sudden fear.
Leo: Help me, somebody please help me down here!
His heel caught the edge of the plush staircase runner.
He lost his balance for a scary second on the edge.
Victoria shouted at him while pointing her long manicured finger down.
Victoria: Get out of my life and out of this house!
Leo carefully slipped down three steps to escape her reach.
He kept his balance while trembling near the heavy carved banister.
Victoria stood above him like a dark shadow in the hall.
Her voice echoed loudly across the grand high ceiling above.
Victoria: You will never see a single penny of your trust fund!
Leo: My father promised me that my mother wanted me safe!
Victoria: Your father does not know half of what I plan to do!
She made another threatening gesture toward the frightened young boy.
Leo backed down several more steps to keep his distance.
His heart beat fast against his small chest in panic.
The silence of the giant mansion was broken by raised voices.
Victoria raised her hand sharply toward the young boy again.
Victoria: You are nothing but a memory of a dead woman!
Leo: Stop saying mean things about my mom!
Victoria: I will make sure you leave this estate forever today!
She pointed toward the heavy wooden front doors downstairs.
Leo wiped a hot tear from his pale cheek quietly.
He continued stepping backward down the steep marble flight.
Every step felt long and dangerous under her hateful stare.
Victoria stood at the top, her face twisted in deep anger.
She felt her golden plans falling apart right before her eyes.
Leo reached the mid-landing, catching his breath with a gasp.
Leo: Dad will be home soon and he will stop you!
Victoria: Your father believes every single lie I tell him!
She leaned over the banister, shouting with cold hatred.
Victoria: No one in this house can save you from me!