Arthur Vance stepped inside the grand entrance foyer, pulling off his black suit jacket.
He was a powerful CEO who managed a massive real estate inheritance across the city.
He had just returned early from an emergency board meeting downtown.
His polished leather dress shoes clicked loudly against the white marble floor.
He expected the house to be empty while his stepmother attended her charity gala.
Instead, his sharp eyes immediately caught the small figure kneeling on the cold floor.
Arthur stopped dead in his tracks, his eyebrows furrowing in deep confusion.
He saw the young maid huddled near the base of the massive staircase.
She was shaking violently, her head bowed low over a dirty yellow water bucket.
Arthur stepped closer, his brow tightening as he noticed the strange red marks.
Arthur: Sarah? Why are you on the floor this early?
Sarah gasped loudly, jumping in place as if she had just been struck.
She quickly tried to pull her sleeves down over her bare arms.
Sarah: Mr. Vance! I am so sorry, I did not hear your car drive up.
Arthur: Stop moving for a second. Look at me.
Sarah kept her eyes fixed firmly on the ground, refusing to look up.
Arthur knelt down beside her, his hand reaching out to touch her shoulder.
When his fingers brushed her arm, she flinched away with a painful cry.
Arthur caught a clear glimpse of her forearms under the bright daylight.
Deep red scratches and dark purple bruises covered her soft, fair skin.
Shock and rising fury rushed through Arthur's chest like an ice-cold wave.
Arthur: What in the world happened to your arms?
Sarah: It is nothing, sir. I was just careless while cleaning the top steps.
Arthur: That is not from falling down steps, Sarah. Who hurt you?
Sarah began to sob softly, shaking her head back and forth in terror.
Sarah: Please, Mr. Vance, do not ask me any more questions.
Arthur: You are bleeding under your sleeve. I am taking you to a doctor right now.
Sarah: No, please! If I leave my spot, Mrs. Vance will fire me immediately!
Arthur stood up straight, his face turning pale with absolute anger.
Arthur: My stepmother did this to you, didn't she?
Sarah did not answer, but her fresh tears gave away the tragic truth.