The giant white double doors of the mansion foyer swung open with a heavy thud.
Bright natural daylight poured into the grand hallway, illuminating every tiny specks of dust.
A tall man named Mark stepped across the grand threshold into the house.
He wore a sharp black suit and a matching tailored vest over his broad chest.
His firm leather shoes clicked loudly against the clean marble tile floor.
He stopped dead in his tracks the second he saw the scene before him.
Victoria was trembling on her knees beside a bucket of dirty water.
Sarah was crouching beside her, trying desperately to wipe away Victoria's heavy tears.
Evelyn stood directly over them, holding the thick wooden handle like a weapon.
The sweet smile instantly flashed across Evelyn's face the moment she saw Mark.
She lowered the wooden handle and smoothed down her silk red robe with graceful fingers.
Evelyn: Darling, you came home so much earlier than I expected today!
Mark did not answer her immediately as his dark eyes scanned the messy hallway.
He noticed the dirty water dripping slowly down the clean white wall.
He saw the framed American flag resting just above the damaged wall paint.
Most of all, he saw the deep terror written on Victoria's worn, wet face.
Mark: What exactly is going on here right now?
Evelyn walked forward with an innocent, gentle smile on her polished face.
Evelyn: Darling, I was only teaching her a much-needed lesson about quality work.
Evelyn: She was being incredibly lazy with her daily morning cleaning routine.
Mark stared back at Evelyn with a cold and piercing glare.
His strong jaw clenched tightly as his face grew stone cold.
He slowly reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a dark smartphone.
His knuckles turned bright white as his grip on the phone tightened significantly.
Mark: A lesson, Evelyn?
Evelyn: Yes, sweetie, house staff need firm boundaries or they get comfortable.
Sarah spoke up from the marble floor, her voice steady and clear.
Sarah: That is simply not true, Mr. Mark!
Sarah: She raised a broom handle at Victoria and threatened to throw us out!
Evelyn turned around instantly and shot a deadly glare toward Sarah.
Evelyn: Keep your mouth shut if you value your job in this city!
Mark stepped directly between Evelyn and the two kneeling maids on the floor.
His tall frame towered over Evelyn in the bright morning sunlight.
Mark: Do not ever speak to them like that in my presence again.
Evelyn blinked in total shock as her sweet smile completely faded away.
Evelyn: Mark, why are you taking the side of the household help?
Mark: Because Victoria was serving this family long before I ever met you.