By early afternoon, a cold wind began to howl outside the large mansion windows.
Victor called the front desk to announce he was heading home early from work.
Serena received the phone call in the formal living room near the grand entrance.
Her eyes narrowed as a wicked thought entered her mind while she hung up.
She knew that Victor was considering leaving a large trust fund for young Ethan.
If Clara remained in the house, she would always protect the boy's best interests.
Serena needed a plan to get rid of the faithful maid once and for all.
She walked into the central foyer where a large American flag hung on the wall.
Ethan was playing quietly on the floor with a small wooden toy sailboat.
Serena marched over and grabbed the child roughly by his thin arm.
Serena: Get up right now and go to your room upstairs!
Ethan: Stop it, please! You are hurting my arm! Let me go!
The young boy cried out loudly as Serena tried to drag him across the floor.
His shoes scraped sharply against the smooth edges of the white marble tiles.
Clara heard the child's loud distress cries from the nearby kitchen area.
She dropped her yellow dusting cloth immediately and ran toward the central foyer.
When she entered, she saw Serena pulling the terrified boy toward the stairs.
Clara: Please stop, ma'am! You are frightening the child terribly!
Clara rushed forward and dropped to her knees on the hard marble floor.
She wrapped her arms around Ethan to protect him from the harsh pulling motion.
Ethan hugged Clara's neck tightly while sobbing uncontrollably against her crisp shoulder.
Serena stumbled backward slightly and let go of the boy's small jacket sleeve.
Her face turned red with absolute fury as she stared down at them both.
Serena: Who do you think you are, you low maid?!
Clara: I am only protecting Ethan from getting hurt in this hallway!
Serena adjust her shimmering golden gown as heavy footsteps echoed near the front doors.
She heard the distinct sound of Victor's luxury sedan parking on the driveway.
She quickly spun around toward the entrance with a dramatic look of absolute horror.
She put her hand over her heart and began to weep loud fake tears.
The front door swung open, and Victor stepped into the grand, bright foyer.
He looked surprised to see his wife crying and his son on the floor.
Victor: What on earth is happening in here right now?
Serena pointed an aggressive finger straight at the kneeling maid on the floor.
Serena: Victor! She attacked Ethan! I was trying to protect him from her!