Evelyn glared down at the small child with absolute icy disdain in her cold eyes.
She gripped her designer leather purse so tightly that her long acrylic nails turned pale.
Richard was currently away at his downtown corporate office finishing an important business deal.
He was not expected home until late that evening after the charity evening dinner party.
This long absence gave Evelyn the perfect chance to put her cruel plan into motion.
She wanted to force Leo out of the family's official legal inheritance paperwork today.
She had hired a dishonest estate lawyer who drafted fraudulent custody papers in secret.
If she could prove Leo was emotionally unstable, she could gain full legal guardianship.
That legal move would give her complete liquid control over his vast multimillion dollar trust.
Evelyn: Go to your room and lock the door until I call for you.
Leo: But my dad said I should wait in the grand foyer for him.
Evelyn: Your father is far too busy to care about your small silly wishes.
Maria: That is simply not true, ma'am, and you know it well.
Evelyn: Mind your own business and return to scrubbing the dirty kitchen floors!
Maria held her tongue, but her sharp eyes remained locked on the cruel stepmother.
She knew Evelyn was hiding something dangerous inside her small leather briefcase today.
Earlier that morning, Maria had overheard Evelyn speaking quietly on her cell phone.
Evelyn had mentioned sending Leo away to a strict boarding school across the country.
She wanted the young heir far away from his loving father's daily protective sight.
Leo stood up slowly from his breakfast chair and held his small hands together tightly.
Leo: I want to call my dad on the house phone right now.
Evelyn: You will do no such thing, you stubborn little brat!
Evelyn reached out aggressively and grabbed the young boy roughly by his small arm.
Leo gasped loudly in sudden fright as she pulled him toward the quiet rear hallway.
Leo: Stop it! You are hurting my wrist very badly!
Evelyn: Keep your voice down before the house servants hear your noisy crying!
Leo: Let me go! I want my dad to come home!
Evelyn: Your father handed control of this household over to me this morning!
Maria stepped out from the dining room and saw Evelyn dragging the terrified child.
The boy's small leather shoes squeaked loudly against the smooth white marble tiles.
A massive American flag hung proudly on the tall marble wall near the grand entrance.
Leo tried to pull back, but the cruel stepmother tightened her harsh grip instantly.
Evelyn: Shut up and move! You have no say in this house anymore!
Leo: Maria! Please help me escape from her right now!
Evelyn: Nobody in this house can save you from my final written decision!
Maria felt her heart pounding furiously inside her chest as anger took over completely.
She dropped her yellow cleaning cloth onto the polished white floor and ran forward.
She would not let this rich cruel woman hurt the sweet boy any longer.