A tall man wearing a crisp tux stepped through the double kitchen doors looking panicked.
His name was Julian, the general manager of the entire luxury venue complex tonight.
He wiped sweat off his forehead as he glanced back over his shoulder toward the hallway.
Julian: Victoria, stop shouting right now, the owner is walking down the corridor!
Victoria: I am just putting this lazy worker in her proper place, Julian!
Julian: You do not understand who just walked into the building tonight!
Elena turned her back to Victoria and focused entirely on soothing her scared little girl.
She brushed Maya's soft curls away from her face and kissed her small forehead gently.
Elena: Shh, sweetie, everything is okay, do not cry anymore.
Victoria: Look at me when I am speaking to you, dish scrubber!
Victoria reached out aggressively and grabbed Elena by the arm to turn her back around violently.
Elena snapped her arm away with remarkable strength and gave Victoria a chilling look.
Elena: Do not ever put your hands on me again.
Victoria scoffed loudly, clearly startled by the maid's sudden strength and confident tone of voice.
Victoria: Or what?
Victoria: What are you going to do about it, call the manager?
Victoria: The manager answers to the owner, and the owner is coming here right now!
Julian looked like he was about to faint as heavy footsteps sounded in the outer hallway.
The firm, rhythmic sound of polished leather shoes hit the hard marble floor outside the kitchen.
Every worker in the kitchen stopped what they were doing and stood up straight immediately.
The doors flew wide open as a bold, well-dressed man stepped authoritatively into the room.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore a dark tailored suit that screamed immense wealth and power.
This was Raffaello, the legendary businessman who owned half the commercial property in the city.
Two large security guards in dark suits flanked him on either side as he entered.
Victoria instantly changed her posture, smoothing down her sequined gown with a huge fake smile.
Victoria: Welcome to the kitchen, Mr. Raffaello sir!
Victoria: We were just handling a small problem with an uncooperative maid, sir.
Raffaello did not even glance at Victoria as his sharp eyes scanned the large kitchen.
His gaze landed directly on Elena, who was standing quietly near the dirty dish station.
His entire body froze as his powerful eyes locked onto the tired woman holding the toddler.
The air in the room instantly grew thick with sudden, intense, unimaginable tension.
Julian ran forward frantically, putting his hands up in a desperate attempt to explain things.
Julian: Raffaello, please let me explain before you get angry!
Julian: She misunderstood the situation, she is just a temporary kitchen worker!
Raffaello pushed Julian aside with one strong arm without taking his eyes off Elena once.