Maria took a hesitant step forward on the smooth marble floor toward Elena.
Maria: Please, ma'am, let me pick up little Toby right now.
Elena: Do not move another inch toward that child, Maria!
Maria: He has been crying on the cold floor for over twenty minutes.
Elena: He needs to learn how to be quiet when I am speaking!
Elena pointed an angry finger directly at the frightened young housemaid.
Maria: He is just a baby, ma'am, he does not understand!
Elena: I do not care about his tears or your useless opinions!
Maria: Mr. Vance would be heartbroken if he saw this happening!
Elena laughed out loud with a sharp, mean sound that rang through the hall.
Elena: Arthur is miles away attending a corporate trust fund conference!
Maria: You cannot keep treating this poor child so harshly, ma'am!
Elena: I run this estate whenever my rich husband is out of town!
Maria wiped a stray tear from her cheek and stood her ground bravely.
Maria: I will tell him everything the moment he walks through that door!
Elena: You will be fired and ruined before he ever gets back!
Elena stepped closer to Maria and raised her hand in a harsh warning gesture.
Elena: No lawyer or court in this city will ever believe a maid!
Maria: God sees how you treat this helpless motherless boy, Elena!
Elena: Shut your mouth before I have security throw you into the street!
Arthur felt a wave of intense heat rush straight up into his face from behind the door.
His fists clenched tight as he realized the nightmare taking place in his own home.
He could not hold back his anger for another single second in that quiet hallway.
He pushed the heavy double doors wide open with a loud thundering bang that echoed wildly.