Elena stood directly in front of Victoria with her arms raised high.
Her heart pounded like a heavy drum inside her chest.
Elena: Stop! That's a baby!
Victoria stopped abruptly and clicked her heels against the floor.
She glared down her nose at the uniformed maid.
Victoria: Stay out of this!
Elena: You cannot treat a child like an animal on a strap!
Victoria: He needs to learn discipline before his father returns tonight.
Elena bent down quickly and unclipped the harness from the baby's chest.
She lifted little Leo gently into her warm arms.
The baby pressed his wet cheek against Elena's shoulder and sobbed.
Victoria snapped the strap through the air with a loud crack.
Victoria: Hand him back to me right now, Elena!
Elena: No, Mrs. Vance, I will not let you hurt him.
Victoria: I am the mistress of this house and your boss!
Elena: That does not give you the right to abuse a infant!
Victoria stepped forward with a tight, furious scowl on her face.
She pointed a long red fingernail directly at Elena's nose.
Victoria: You are fired as of this very second!
Elena: Fire me if you want, but I am telling Arthur everything.
Victoria laughed softly, but her eyes looked cold and nervous.
Victoria: My husband will never believe a poor maid over his beautiful wife.
Elena held the baby tighter against her heart.
She knew she had to protect this helpless boy no matter what happened.
She backed away slowly toward the front entrance of the mansion.
Victoria tried to grab the baby's arm with her hand.
Elena turned her shoulder to block the woman's sharp nails.
Elena: Touch him again and I will call the police immediately.
Victoria froze in place near the large marble column.
She realized the maid was not backing down from her threat.
She stepped back and straightened her burgundy dress.
Victoria: Leave the house right now before I call security!