The heavy bucket clinked against the marble floor as the filthy water surged over Margarethe's shoulders, soaking straight through her thin grey uniform[cite: 1, 1]. The icy liquid stung her skin, dripping down her graying hair and running across her pale face[cite: 1]. She stood frozen in the center of the grand mansion foyer, holding her breath while the harsh smell of pine cleaner filled the air[cite: 1]. Standing right in front of her was Chloe, her brand-new daughter-in-law, wearing an emerald green silk gown and holding the empty plastic bucket[cite: 1, 1].
Chloe: Oops! My hand slipped, old woman[cite: 1]!
Margarethe: You did that on purpose, Chloe[cite: 1].
Chloe: I own this house now! Learn your place[cite: 1]!
Chloe leaned in close, her eyes wide with cold arrogance as she glared down at the dripping maid[cite: 1]. Margarethe didn't scream or throw a punch[cite: 1]. Instead, her wet hand slid quietly into the deep pocket of her grey uniform skirt, her thumb finding the smooth plastic of a small digital recording device and pressing the black button until it clicked silently[cite: 1].
Margarethe: You think money gives you the right to humiliate people?
Chloe: Money gives me the right to do whatever I want in my husband's home!
Margarethe: This isn't your husband's home yet, Chloe[cite: 1].
Chloe: It will be by tonight! Daniel is signing the final estate transfer papers in an hour!
Margarethe reached up with a trembling hand, wiping a stream of dirty gray water away from her eyes[cite: 1]. She adjusted her wet, black-rimmed glasses, took a deep breath, and raised her voice just enough to echo off the high white walls of the foyer[cite: 1].
Margarethe: Daniel, come down please[cite: 1].
Chloe: What are you doing?! Don't you dare call my fiancé!
Rapid, heavy footsteps echoed from the top of the grand marble staircase[cite: 1]. Daniel, dressed in a sharp dark blue suit, rushed down the steps two at a time, his necktie flying over his shoulder[cite: 1, 1]. Hearing the commotion from his upstairs office, he sped toward the foyer, only to freeze dead in his tracks at the bottom landing[cite: 1].
Chloe: Daniel! Thank God you're here! This crazy woman just attacked me[cite: 1]!
Daniel: Mom[cite: 1]?!
Daniel stood completely frozen, his jaw dropping in absolute shock as he looked at the wet, shivering woman standing in the puddle of dirty floor cleaner[cite: 1]. The entire mansion went dead silent as Chloe's arrogant smirk instantly dissolved into pure, paralyzing terror[cite: 1].