The bright crystal chandelier lit up the grand entrance hall of the Montgomery mansion.
Elena adjusted the sleeves of her clean black-and-white uniform with trembling fingers.
She had worked as a maid for this family for over two years now.
Every single day she wiped down the heavy mahogany tables and polished the silver bowls.
She needed this job so she could pay off her mother's hospital bills back home.
Victoria Montgomery swept down the grand staircase with her silk dress trailing behind her.
Her face was red with anger as she held an empty wooden jewelry box in her hands.
She marched straight toward Elena and tossed the empty box onto the floor.
The velvet lining hit the glossy floorboards with a dull thud near the front door.
"Where is my grandmother's diamond necklace?" Victoria yelled at the top of her voice.
Elena stepped back in surprise and pressed her back against the cold wall.
"I do not know what you are talking about, Mrs. Montgomery," Elena whispered nervously.
"You were the only person cleaning my dressing room this morning!" Victoria screamed.
Guests who were arriving for the afternoon charity event began stepping into the grand foyer.
They stopped in their tracks and watched the bitter scene unfold right before their eyes.
Victoria raised her hand and delivered a sharp blow across Elena's cheek.
The loud slap rang out clearly through the tall ceilings of the silent mansion hallway.
Elena gasped as a sharp burning sensation spread across her delicate skin immediately.
Tears welled up instantly in her dark eyes as she held her bruised face with both hands.
"You thief! You are going to prison for the rest of your life!" Victoria shouted wildly.
The surrounding guests began whispering to each other in quiet shock and embarrassment.
Elena felt her heart pounding violently inside her chest as panic filled her mind.
She had never stolen a single penny from anyone in her entire life.
She knew that a criminal record would ruin her entire future instantly.
Victoria took out her expensive golden phone and began dialing the emergency number.
"I am calling the sheriff right now to take you away," Victoria sneered with contempt.
Elena wiped a fresh tear from her cheek and looked up at the ceiling above them.
She noticed a small red light blinking softly near the wooden molding of the wall.
A surge of courage replaced the deep fear that had paralyzed her moments ago.
She wiped her eyes quickly and straightened her posture in front of the crowd.
She walked directly up to Victoria without backing down a single inch this time.
With a fast and decisive motion, Elena slapped Victoria right back across the jaw.
The force of the hit spun Victoria around slightly as the crowd gasped in total disbelief.
Victoria held her sore cheek while her eyes opened wide in absolute shock and rage.
"How dare you lay your filthy hands on me!" Victoria shrieked in horror.
Elena pointed her index finger straight up toward the blinking light near the ceiling beam.
"Check the security camera, you fool!" Elena said with absolute calm and confidence.