Mark took three quick strides across the dark patio toward the spot where Victoria was standing tall.
His teeth were clenched tight, and his eyes were dark with absolute fury at what he saw.
He had been searching every catering agency in the city for six long and painful months.
Seeing his sweet younger sister treated like trash made something break deep inside his chest.
Victoria turned her head toward him with an annoyed expression as he walked closer to them.
Victoria: What are you doing out here, Mark? You should be inside talking with the wealthy investors.
Mark: I came out here to see why my guest of honor was missing from the main room.
Victoria: She is just a simple maid I hired to manage the dessert station for our party.
Mark looked down at Elena, whose hands were still trembling as she held the paddle tight.
Mark: She is not just a maid, Victoria. She is my little sister Elena!
Victoria blinked in surprise, but her cold expression quickly turned back into a mean sneer.
Victoria: I do not care who her family is because she signed a work contract with me!
Elena: Mark, please do not get angry at her. I really need this paycheck tonight.
Mark: You will never take another order from this mean woman again as long as I live!
Before Victoria could say another word, Mark stepped forward and grabbed the rim of the vat.
With one powerful push, he lifted the bottom edge of the massive metal tub into the air.
The heavy container tipped over on its side with a loud metal scraping sound against stone.
A thick flood of dark red cherry liquid splashed out across the patio floor toward Victoria's feet.
The warm sticky syrup hit the bottom of her expensive green silk dress with immense splash force.
Red liquid splattered all over her high heels, her long dress, and her smooth pale legs.
Victoria: AHHH! Look what you just did to my custom designer silk gown!
Victoria shrieked in complete horror as she stepped backward into the deep pool of red glaze.
She lost her balance on the slippery stone floor and nearly fell backward into the mess.
Mark did not even look at the ruined green dress as he walked straight past the spilled tub.
He reached out his warm arms and pulled Elena close into a tight and protective brotherhood hug.
Elena dropped the wooden paddle onto the stone, and tears began flowing freely down her cheeks.
She buried her tired face into Mark's dark suit coat and began sobbing after hours of pain.
Mark placed one firm hand on her shoulder and held her close against his chest.
Victoria stood drenched in red syrup, shaking with rage while holding her empty glass of wine.