Lily stared at the puddle of dirty water spreading across her small lap.
Her hands began to tremble as the cold liquid soaked through her thin dress.
She looked up slowly toward the tall woman standing over her.
Evelyn did not offer a hand or apologize for kicking the heavy bucket.
Instead, Evelyn crossed her arms and glared down at the shivering child.
Tears well up quickly in Lily's wide brown eyes as she tried to catch her breath.
Little Girl: Grandma, why? Why did you do that to me?
Grandma: Watch your tongue and clean up this mess before people start looking!
Lily squeezed her eyes shut as a warm tear rolled down her pale cheek.
The guests around the room began to whisper quietly among themselves.
Several people pulled out their smartphones to record the dramatic scene unfolding on floor.
Evelyn ignored the crowd and tapped her foot impatiently against the floor.
Grandma: Stop crying right now, or you will spend the evening in the car!
Little Girl: I was doing what you asked me to do, Grandma.
Grandma: You are clumsy and slow, just like your mother always was!
Lily felt a deep ache inside her heart at the mention of her missing mother.
She remembered her mother's soft voice and warm hugs from years ago.
Her father had trusted Evelyn to raise Lily while he worked overseas for months.
Evelyn used that trust to isolate Lily from the rest of her wealthy family.
She made the little girl handle household chores to lower her self-esteem daily.
Lily picked up the soaking rag and tried to mop up the spilled pool of water.
Her small fingers were red from the ice-cold water spilling everywhere around her.
The guests watched from a distance, but nobody stepped forward to intervene.
Evelyn smiled slightly, pleased with the complete control she held over the situation.
She believed that no one in the city could challenge her authority or wealth.
She did not know that a black luxury car had just pulled up outside the building.
The heavy glass doors of the grand entrance swung open with a loud burst of wind.
A woman stepped through the doors, her presence catching everyone's attention instantly.