Clara raised her voice until it echoed down the white walls of the corridor.
She stepped directly into Brenda's personal space to intimidate her.
Clara: You will be fired without a single penny of your salary!
Brenda: You cannot treat me or this child like this.
Clara: I run this house while my husband is away on business!
Brenda looked at the giant American flag hanging on the hallway wall.
She wished that Mr. Marcus was home to stop this terrible scene.
Clara: Hand over the boy right now or face the consequences!
Brenda: He is trembling because of your loud shouting!
Clara reached out her hand to grab the baby's little arm roughly.
Brenda quickly turned her body to shield the child from Clara's grip.
Clara: You dare turn your back on me inside my house!
Suddenly, heavy footsteps sounded from the far end of the long hallway.
A tall man in a tailored green suit marched rapidly toward the quiet confrontation.
It was Marcus, the child's father, who had returned home earlier than expected.
Clara: Marcus, thank goodness you are finally home to help me!
Clara quickly changed her tone to sound helpless and sweet.
Clara: She's trying to turn him against me!
Brenda gasped as she saw the intense look on Marcus's dark face.
Brenda: Mr. Marcus, I was only trying to protect Joey.
Marcus: Stop talking right now, both of you!
Marcus stopped right in front of Clara with his fists tightly clenched.
His jaw was locked tight as he glared down at his new wife.
Clara: Fire her immediately, darling, she laid hands on me!
Marcus: Enough!
His deep voice rang out like thunder across the high ceilings of the house.