Elena wrapped her arms tighter around the little boy as the terrible argument erupted beside her.
The child buried his face into her shoulder and shivered like a leaf in a storm.
Victoria sat up on the hard floor, holding her bruised elbow with a look of pure shock.
Victoria: Richard, listen to me before you call anyone! You do not know the full story!
Richard: Shut your mouth! I know you have been abusing my trust for months!
Elena slowly stood up while keeping the frightened child safe behind her back.
She looked closely at the young boy’s pale face for the first time in the clear light.
He was wearing worn canvas clothes that looked far too small for his thin frame.
His soft blue eyes looked exactly like Richard Sterling’s eyes in the family oil portraits.
Elena: Mr. Sterling, this child needs food and water immediately.
Richard turned his glare away from his wife and looked down at the small child.
His expression softened for a brief moment before turning back into dark suspicion.
Richard: His name is Leo. He was supposed to be living with a private nurse in Vermont.
Victoria: He was safe in that room! I was only protecting our family reputation!
Elena could not believe the cold words coming out of the woman's mouth.
She took two steps backward, positioning herself near the hallway emergency phone on the wall.
Elena: Protecting your reputation by locking a boy inside a wall vent?
Victoria: Mind your business, maid! You are an employee who knows nothing about our life!
Victoria scrambled back to her feet, her gold dress catching the bright afternoon light.
She reached out to grab Leo’s arm, but Elena stepped directly into her path.
Elena: Do not touch this child again, Mrs. Sterling.
Victoria: Get out of my way! I pay your salary!
Richard pulled his cell phone from his expensive jacket and began dialing a number quickly.
Richard: I am calling the local sheriff right now. Your games are finally over, Victoria.
Victoria’s eyes widened with sudden panic as she realized her husband was serious.
She lunged forward to grab Richard’s phone before he could complete the phone call.
Richard side-stepped her push easily, sending her stumbling against the grand hall table.
A glass vase fell off the edge and shattered into a hundred pieces across the marble.
Leo let out a tiny scream at the loud noise and grabbed Elena’s apron strings.
Elena: Come with me, Leo. We are going to sit in the kitchen where it is safe.
She guided the young boy toward the service door at the end of the long hall.
Victoria ran after them, her high heels clicking loudly against the hard floor.
Victoria: If you take him out of this house, I will call the police on you for kidnapping!