Within fifteen minutes, the red lights of police cars flashed outside the mansion.
Two uniformed police officers walked briskly through the heavy front double doors.
Richard handed them the digital memory drive containing the clear security video footage.
"She put my daughter in direct physical danger," Richard told the lead officer.
"I want her removed from my property and charged to the fullest extent."
The officers reviewed the footage quickly on their handheld tablet device.
Their expressions hardened instantly as they saw Victoria's actions on the screen.
The lead officer stepped up to Victoria and pulled out a pair of handcuffs.
"Victoria Vance, you are under arrest for child endangerment," the officer stated.
Victoria began to scream and thrash wildly as the cold metal cuffed her wrists.
"You can't do this to me! Do you know who I am?" she shrieked loudly.
The officers escorted her firmly out the door and toward the waiting police cruiser.
The heavy front doors swung closed, leaving a serene silence inside the foyer.
Richard took a long, deep breath, feeling a massive weight lift away.
He turned around to face Elena, who was standing quietly by the stairs.
She was sweeping up the remaining pieces of broken glass from the floor.
Richard walked over to her and gently put a hand over the broom handle.
"Please stop working, Elena," Richard said with deep, genuine gratitude.
Elena looked up, her calm brown eyes meeting his filled with tears.
"You saved my daughter's life today," Richard said, his voice cracking slightly.
"If you hadn't been here, I can't even bear to think about what happened."
Elena smiled softly and looked at little Maya, who was resting on the sofa.
"I promised to protect Maya the day I started working here," Elena replied.
"She is a precious little girl, and she deserves to be safe always."
Richard nodded firmly, knowing that simple words were not enough to repay her.
He knew right then that everything in their household was about to change for good.