From around the corner of the grand corridor, Maria heard the distinct sound of a child crying in deep distress.
Maria was an elderly maid who had served the Vance family loyally for over twenty-five long and dedicated years.
She wore her traditional navy blue uniform topped with a crisp white apron that showed her long years of service.
Maria had cradled Leo in her arms when he was just a newborn baby resting in his mother's arms.
She loved the little boy as if he were her own grandson, protecting him whenever trouble brewed in the house.
Rounding the marble pillar, Maria's heart sank instantly as she saw Evelyn roughly gripping the small boy's arm.
Leo's face was streaked with hot tears, his maroon tuxedo crumpled under the pressure of Evelyn's sharp fingers.
Maria set down her dusting cloth immediately, stepping forward with a courage that defied her fragile old age.
Maria: Stop, please! Leave him alone right now, Mrs. Vance!
Evelyn: Mind your own business, you old servant!
Maria: He is just a frightened child who has done nothing wrong to you!
Evelyn: He needs to learn respect for the mistress of this house!
Maria: You have no right to treat him with such cruel anger!
Maria reached out with her trembling hands and gripped Evelyn's arm, trying desperately to pry her away from Leo.
She placed herself between the vicious woman and the crying boy, putting her own safety on the line completely.
Leo scrambled backward against the base of a marble pillar, sobbing uncontrollably as he wiped his wet face.
Evelyn turned her head slowly, her dark eyes flashing with pure rage at being touched by an elderly maid.
She ripped her arm away from Maria's grasp with a violent jerk that startled the entire quiet room.
Evelyn: How dare you lay your filthy hands on my red jumpsuit!
Maria: I will not stand by and watch you harm young Leo!
Evelyn: You are a nobody in this house, Maria!
Maria: Mr. Vance will hear about how you act when he is away!
Evelyn: He will fire you long before he ever believes a word you say!
With a harsh and sudden thrust of her arms, Evelyn shoved the frail elderly maid forcefully backward toward the wall.
Maria lost her balance completely on the slick, polished white marble floor that she had cleaned just hours earlier.
She crashed heavily onto the hard surface directly beneath the giant American flag draped across the grand wall backdrop.
A sharp, painful groan escaped Maria's lips as her body hit the unforgiving marble with a sickening thud sound.
Leo screamed out in utter terror as he saw his beloved caretaker lying motionless on the cold floor.
Leo: Maria! No! Please get up, Maria!
Evelyn: That is what happens to anyone who dares to cross my path!
Leo: You are evil! You are the worst person in the world!
Evelyn: Shut your mouth before I make you suffer the exact same fate!
Evelyn stood over the fallen maid, her red jumpsuit gleaming under the bright overhead lights of the grand hall.
She showed not a single shred of remorse or pity for the elderly woman who lay groaning at her feet.
Instead, she straightened her outfit calmly, turning her cold gaze back toward the terrified seven-year-old boy.
Leo backed up as far as he could, his small spine pressing firmly against the cold marble wall behind him.
He felt completely isolated in the massive mansion, surrounded by wealth but defenseless against such overwhelming malice.
Evelyn took another step toward him, her shadow looming over him like a dark cloud blotting out the light.
She reached down to grab his collar once again, determined to force him into complete silence and obedience.