An old kitchen door swung open suddenly at the far end of the long corridor.
An elderly woman stepped into the bright hallway wearing a simple black maid dress.
Martha had worked as the chief housekeeper for the Vance family for thirty long years.
She had wiped away Arthur's tears when he was just a little boy playing outside.
Martha loved young Leo like he was her very own flesh and blood grandson now.
Her soft eyes widened in utter horror as she saw Victoria dragging the weeping child.
Martha dropped her white cleaning cloth onto the polished marble floor without a word.
She moved faster than she had moved in ten years despite her aching old knees.
Martha: Take your hands off that innocent boy right this second Victoria!
Victoria froze and turned her head with a furious scowl on her makeup covered face.
Victoria: Mind your own business you foolish old servant and back away!
Martha: My business is protecting this family from cruel people like you!
Martha stepped directly between Victoria and the crying boy under the American flag.
She wrapped her arms protectively around Leo and pulled him close against her white apron.
Leo buried his tear soaked face deep into Martha's warm familiar cotton apron instantly.
He shook uncontrollably as the elderly maid held him tight in her safe embrace.
Martha: Shh it is okay my sweet boy Martha is right here with you.
Leo: She broke my red car and she was taking me away Martha!
Martha: Nobody is taking you anywhere as long as I am still breathing child.
Victoria stood tall and crossed her arms over her expensive emerald green silk gown.
Her sharp heels tapped angrily against the cold floor like a ticking clock count.
Victoria: You are just a paid servant in this estate Martha and nothing more!
Martha: I have been here longer than you and I know your true character.
Victoria: I am going to be the mistress of this house next month old woman!
Martha: Arthur will see right through your lies once he learns the truth today.
Victoria sneered coldly and reached down to grab Leo's shirt collar again aggressively.
Victoria: Don't you dare touch him or stand in my way ever again!
Martha held her ground firmly and pushed Victoria's hand away with solid strength.
Martha: You will have to go through me before you hurt this child again!
Victoria gasped in shock that a domestic servant dared to challenge her authority openly.
She raised her hand high in the air and pointed a sharp long fingernail down.
Victoria: I will have Arthur fire you today without a single penny of severance!
Martha: Fire me if you want but you will not harm this precious boy!
Leo held on tight to Martha's apron as his small shoulders shook with deep heavy sobs.
The elderly maid smoothed down his messy hair with her gentle calloused old hand.
She whispered soothing words into his ear while keeping her gaze locked on Victoria.
Victoria took a menacing step closer as her face turned red with bubbling fury.
Victoria: Hand the boy over right now or you will regret this forever!
Martha: Never while I am alive to stop a heartless woman like you!
The tension in the sunlit marble hallway grew thick enough to feel in the air.
Victoria raised her voice to a harsh screech that shook the silent quiet hallway.
Victoria: He is a spoiled brat who needs to learn discipline from me!
Martha: He is a grieving boy who deserves love and kindness in his home!
Victoria reached out roughly to pry Martha's protective arms away from the frightened child.
Leo screamed in fear as he pulled himself deeper into the old maid's apron.