The entire room went completely silent as the powerful businessman walked slowly toward the sink area.
Victoria watched in utter confusion as the famous billionaire ignored every manager in the room.
Maya looked up from her mother's waist and recognized the tall man standing right before them.
Maya: Daddy!
the little girl gasped out loud, reaching her tiny hands out toward Raffaello open-armed.
Victoria's jaw dropped open as her face instantly lost every single trace of color.
Victoria: What... what did that little kid just call you?
Raffaello ignored Victoria entirely and knelt right down on the wet kitchen tile floor.
He did not care about his expensive custom suit touching the dirty, soapy floor water at all.
He reached out his large hands and gently pulled little Maya into a tight, loving embrace.
Raffaello: I found you, my sweet baby girl.
Raffaello: I finally found you both.
Tears filled Raffaello's dark eyes as he stood back up and faced Elena directly now.
He reached for Elena's sore hands, looking down at the red, raw skin caused by harsh chemicals.
His face transformed from tender love into an absolute, dark, terrifying wave of rage.
Raffaello: What happened to your hands, my love?
Elena: I had to work, Raffaello.
Elena: After the fire at the estate, I thought you were gone forever.
Raffaello: I have been searching every single corner of this state for three long months.
He gently cradled her red hands in his, kissing her knuckles with deep, emotional reverence.
Then he turned his head slowly toward Victoria, who was now trembling where she stood.
Raffaello: Who told my wife to scrub pans in this kitchen?
Julian fell to his knees immediately, waving his hands in total panic and terror.
Julian: We did not know, sir!
Julian: She applied under a fake name three weeks ago, we had no idea!
Victoria: She... she is your wife?
Victoria: But she was wearing old clothes and washing dishes like a poor servant!
Raffaello stepped forward, his massive frame towering over the terrified woman in sequins.
Raffaello: You dared to speak to the owner of this entire enterprise like she was dirt?