Vance Sterling leaned against the wooden door frame with a smile.
He was wearing a silk robe over his formal shirt.
Vance: Is there a problem in my house, Arthur?
Arthur: Just checking on the estate maintenance, Vance.
Vance: You seem very focused on the new help.
He looked at Elena with cold, dark eyes.
Vance: Go finish scrubbing the kitchen floor down stairs.
Elena lowered her head and walked past him quickly.
She could feel his glare burning into her back.
Once she reached the main floor, her heart beat wildly.
She hurried to the kitchen and grabbed her cloth.
Mrs. Gable was standing by the large center island.
Mrs. Gable: Why were you talking to Mr. Vance upstairs?
Elena: I was just clearing the guest bathroom trash.
Mrs. Gable: Stay away from the family members, girl.
Mrs. Gable: People like us get blamed when things break.
Elena: I understand, Mrs. Gable.
Elena knelt on the floor to continue her work.
She thought about the pictures Arthur took on his phone.
She wondered if the law firm could really help her.
An hour later, the sun began to drop low.
The clock in the hall chimed six long times.
Elena gathered her coat from the staff closet near the back.
She walked out the side exit into the cool air.
She took the local bus straight to the city center.
The tall office building was bright against the night sky.
She rode the elevator up to the tenth floor.
Arthur was waiting for her inside his glass office.
Arthur: I am glad you made it safely, Elena.
Elena: I was scared someone was following my bus.
Arthur: You are safe in this building tonight.
He opened a large blue file on his big desk.
Arthur: Vance has hurt other staff members in the past.
Elena: Why did nobody report him to the police?
Arthur: His family paid large settlements to keep them silent.
Elena sat down in the soft leather chair opposite him.
Elena: I do not want his money, I want justice.
Arthur: A lawsuit will strip his control over the estate.
Arthur: His father's will has a clear moral clause.
Elena: What does that mean for his inheritance?
Arthur: If he breaks the law, he loses his trust fund.
Elena stared at the legal documents on the desk.
Elena: He will fight with every lawyer he has.
Arthur: He does not know I have the evidence yet.
A sudden knock sounded at the front reception door.
Arthur turned his head toward the dark outer hallway.