The next afternoon, the Dallas heat beat down on the windows.
Mark was still away in Houston finishing his business meetings.
Elena was in the small nursery closet folding soft baby clothes.
She heard footsteps walking down the long tile hallway outside.
Victoria stepped into the nursery wearing her favorite bright blue dress.
She did not see Elena inside the open closet doorway.
Baby Leo was sitting on a plush rug playing with wooden blocks.
Victoria stood over the small boy with her arms crossed tight.
Victoria: You look just like your stubborn mother.
The baby looked up and offered a wooden toy block to her.
Instead of taking it, Victoria kicked the toy block away hard.
The block clattered loudly across the hard polished wood floor.
Baby Leo startled and began to weep loud tears on the floor.
Elena gasped quietly inside the shadows of the open closet.
She grabbed her phone and quietly turned on the video camera.
She held her breath as she recorded through the door crack.
Victoria: Stop your senseless crying right now!
Victoria grabbed the baby's arm roughly to force him up.
The baby wailed louder from the sudden harsh handling.
Victoria: Look what you made me do!
Elena could not stand by and watch this cruelty anymore.
She pushed the closet door open and stepped out into view.
Elena: Stop right there, Mrs. Sterling!
Victoria whirled around in shock, her face turning pale white.
Victoria: What are you doing in that closet?!
Elena: I was organizing his clean clothes, ma'am.
Victoria: How dare you sneak up on me like that!
Elena: I saw how you just treated this helpless child.
Elena rushed forward across the room to scoop up the baby.
She lifted Leo away from Victoria and held him securely.
Elena: I got you, you're safe now!
The baby hid his teary face against Elena's shoulder.
Victoria stepped closer, her eyes blazing with sudden cold anger.
Victoria: You saw nothing, do you understand me?
Elena: I recorded the entire thing on my mobile phone.
Victoria's jaw dropped in absolute surprise and deep panic.
Victoria: Give me that phone right now, Elena!
Elena: No, ma'am, this evidence goes directly to Mr. Sterling.
Victoria: If you try that, I will call the police on you!
Elena: Tell them whatever you want, but the video speaks truth.
Victoria lunged forward to grab Elena's coat pocket wildly.
Elena stepped back quickly and blocked Victoria's hands with her arm.
Victoria's sharp ring scratched Elena's cheek during the quick scuffle.
Elena felt a hot sting on her face near her cheekbone.
Victoria: You are fired as of this exact second!
Elena: You cannot fire me for protecting this innocent child.
Victoria: Get out of my house before I have security throw you out!
Elena backed toward the doorway while holding the crying baby.
Elena: I am not leaving Leo alone with you for one second.
Victoria: He is my stepson, you have zero rights here!
Elena: We will see what Mr. Sterling says about that.
Elena turned and walked quickly down the long main hallway.
Victoria followed right behind her, shouting angry threats repeatedly.
The house was filled with the sound of intense confrontation.