The heavy double doors of the front entrance suddenly swung wide open.
A blast of crisp morning wind blew through the warm grand entry foyer.
A tall man stepped across the threshold carrying a sleek silver rolling suitcase.
He wore an elegant black trench coat paired with a dark grey wool scarf.
Julian Sterling had finally returned after four long years of working abroad in Europe.
He pulled off his leather gloves and took a deep breath of familiar air.
However, his bright blue eyes instantly froze when he looked toward the stairs.
He saw Elena soaking wet and shivering on her knees near the puddle.
He saw the dark grape juice dripping slowly from her hair onto her uniform.
Standing right above her was his younger sister holding an empty drinking glass.
Julian dropped his heavy luggage handle directly onto the hardwood entrance trim.
The loud thud resonated through the high ceilings of the silent marble foyer.
Victoria gasped in total surprise and quickly pulled back her yellow gown.
Victoria: Julian... you were not supposed to arrive until late tonight!
Julian: What in the world is going on right here, Victoria?
Julian walked forward with long steady strides that commanded the entire room.
His jaw was clenched tight as his face turned dark with rising anger.
He stopped beside Elena and gently placed a warm hand on her trembling shoulder.
Julian: Are you alright, young lady?
Elena: Sir... she purposely dumped dirty water and poured her drink on me!
Victoria: Do not listen to her lies, Julian!
Victoria: She was being incredibly lazy and dropped the bucket herself!
Elena looked up into Julian's eyes with genuine tears streaming down her cheeks.
Elena: I swear on my life that I am telling the absolute truth!
Julian looked down at the exact pattern of juice on the girl's shoulder.
It was painfully obvious the drink had been poured from directly above her.
He turned his gaze slowly toward Victoria with pure fury in his eyes.
Julian: Do you think I am stupid enough to believe your pathetic lie?
Victoria: She is just a simple hired maid, Julian!
Victoria: Why are you making such a big scene over a small accident?
Julian: How dare you humiliate a hard worker inside my house!
Julian stepped between his sister and the crying housekeeper on the floor.
His voice shook the grand glass chandelier hanging high above their heads.
Victoria took a quick step backward up the glass stairs in sudden alarm.
She had never seen her older brother look so completely furious before today.
Julian: Hand me your keys and your credit cards right this instant.
Victoria: What are you talking about? You cannot take my things!
Julian: This estate belongs to me under our father's official legal will.
Victoria turned pale as the realization of his power suddenly struck her mind.
She clutched her expensive designer handbag tightly against her yellow satin gown.
Victoria: Our father built this home for both of us equally, Julian!
Julian: Father gave me sole ownership because of your endless reckless cruelty!
Elena watched from the floor as the powerful brother confronted his younger sister.
She had never seen anyone stand up to Victoria in this house before.
A small flicker of hope began to warm her cold and shivering body.
Julian pointed a commanding finger straight toward the open front entrance doors.
Julian: You will apologize to Elena immediately or leave this property right now.