Richard Sterling rushed across the marble floor with quick angry steps.
He stopped right in front of Elena and the crying toddler.
His fists were clenched tight at his sides in deep frustration.
Richard: Lower your voice and step away from him right now!
Elena did not back down or lower her dark tearful eyes.
She stood up slowly while holding her thirty-pound son firmly in her arms.
Elena: I gave up my life so he could have medical care, Richard!
Elena: But you forced me to work like a ghost in my own son's home!
The crowd surrounding them gasped loudly at the sudden explicit confession.
Several guests pulled out their cell phones to record the confrontation.
Clarissa marched over in her maroon dress, her eyes full of venom.
Clarissa: You are a paid house employee who signed a strict agreement!
Clarissa: You have no legal rights to this boy inside this house!
Elena: A legal document cannot change who gave him life and love!
Elena held Oliver tighter as the toddler kept his head hidden on her shoulder.
He clung to her soft uniform as if he knew the danger around them.
For two long years, Elena had snuck into his room at night.
She had sung old lullabies while the rest of the mansion slept soundly.
The child knew her touch and her voice better than anyone else alive.
Richard reached out his large hand to pull the toddler away forcefully.
Richard: Give me the child before I call the city police!
Before Richard could touch the boy, a strong voice spoke from the crowd.
An older gentleman in a dark grey suit stepped out from the circle of guests.
It was Judge Arthur Vance, a respected senior legal figure in the city state court.
Arthur: Hold on a minute, Richard.
The room went completely quiet as the respected judge walked into the center space.
He looked at the emotional mother holding her frightened son.
Then he turned his stern gray eyes back to the wealthy property developer.
Arthur: I think we all need to hear the real truth behind this arrangement.