Inside the bright marble bathroom, Victoria stood towering over six year old Lily in her flowing silk robe.
Lily was wearing her favorite cream dress, her eyes wide with tears as she cowered against the counter.
Victoria was holding a delicate family heir doll that had belonged to Lily's late biological mother.
In her other hand, Victoria gripped a bright red lighter, flicking the flame open near the soft fabric.
Victoria was threatening to destroy the irreplaceable memory just to punish the little girl for a simple spill.
"You will learn to obey me in this house, Lily," Victoria snarled through her clenched white teeth.
Lily sobbed uncontrollably, reaching out her tiny hands toward her mother's cherished keepsake.
Elena felt a wave of cold fury sweep through her body as she witnessed the cold emotional abuse.
Without hesitating for a single second, Elena rushed across the smooth marble floor without making a sound.
She reached out and firmly swatted Victoria's wrist, knocking the lit red lighter straight onto the floor.
The plastic lighter hit the polished marble surface with a sharp metallic clatter and slid under the vanity.
Victoria gasped in total shock, her face turning bright red with rage as she turned toward Elena.
"How dare you lay your hands on me, you lowly maid!" Victoria screamed at the top of her lungs.
Elena paid no attention to the harsh words and immediately dropped to her knees beside the child.
She wrapped her arms securely around Lily, shielding the crying girl with her own body entirely.
"I am taking Lily out of here right now, ma'am," Elena said with absolute calm and firmness.
Victoria stepped forward aggressively, her hands clenched into tight fists at her silk robe's sides.
"You are fired, Elena! Pack your bags and leave this property this instant!" Victoria shouted loudly.
Elena stood her ground, holding Lily tightly as the heavy footfalls of dress shoes echoed outside.