Standing in the shadow of the tall doorway was Victoria's husband, David.
He held a massive bouquet of fresh white roses tightly in his right hand.
He had returned home early from work specifically to surprise his wife today.
It was their wedding anniversary and he wanted to celebrate the happy day.
Instead, he stood completely still while watching the cruel scene unfold before him.
His jaw clenched tightly as he saw his wife ruin the clean floor deliberately.
He had always believed Victoria was a kind and gentle woman to everyone.
She always spoke softly when they attended big charity galas together in town.
Now the horrifying truth stood clearly before his very own eyes today.
His expression darkened with intense anger as he watched his wife mistreat Anna.
David valued honesty and basic human respect above all other things in life.
He had built his successful business from nothing through hard work and fairness.
Seeing someone abuse a working person filled his heart with pure rage.
Anna remained on her hands and knees scrubbing the sticky red puddle.
Victoria pointed her long painted fingernail down at the maid's forehead aggressively.
Victoria: Move faster or I will deduct this from your small paycheck.
Victoria: You are completely worthless at this simple job anyway.
David stepped out from the shadows into the bright light of the hallway.
His heavy dress shoes made a firm sound against the hard marble floor.
Victoria turned around quickly with a sweet smile suddenly spreading across her face.
She changed her tone in a second as soon as she saw her husband.
Victoria: Oh, darling, you came home so early today!
Victoria: Look at this terrible mess the maid made on our floor.
Victoria: I was just telling her to be more careful next time.
David walked forward steadily without smiling at his wife even a little bit.
The silence in the grand hallway grew heavy and filled with thick tension.
Anna stopped scrubbing and looked up nervously from the cold floor tile.