Victoria yanked against Clara's grip with all her strength, but Clara refused to let go. Clara held her ground firmly, shielding the trembling elderly woman in the wheelchair behind her own body while Victoria gasped in fury.
Victoria: Let go of me! You are hurting my wrist!
Clara: I am holding your hand so you don't hurt an innocent person. Take a step back!
Victoria: Guards! Where are the security guards? Fire this woman immediately!
Arthur: Take your hands off her!
A deep, booming voice echoed down from the grand balcony staircase. The entire room seemed to freeze instantly as Arthur Vance stepped down the steps, wearing a flawless black tailcoat suit and a white bow tie. He walked with total command, his gray eyes cold as ice.
Victoria smiled sneeringly, believing her powerful uncle had finally arrived to crush the maid and throw her out onto the street.
Victoria: Uncle Arthur! Thank goodness! This crazy maid grabbed me and threatened to beat me up in front of everyone!
Arthur: Silence, Victoria.
Victoria: But Uncle! Look at my wrist! She put her hands on me!
Arthur: I said, silence!
Arthur stopped right in front of them, his heavy gaze cutting straight through Victoria, who suddenly felt her heart drop into her stomach.
Victoria: Uncle... why are you looking at me like that?
Arthur: I saw everything from the balcony. I watched you raise your hand against your grandmother.
Victoria: I... I was just trying to move her out of the way for the family photo!
Arthur: Your business is finished.
Victoria: What? What do you mean my business is finished?
Arthur: She's only protecting my mother.
Arthur reached down gently and placed a warm, protective hand on Eleanor's frail shoulder, looking up at Clara with profound respect.
Arthur: Young lady, you can release her arm now. You have done your job better than anyone in this house.
Clara slowly let go of Victoria's wrist. Victoria stumbled back, clutching her arm while red blotches of embarrassment covered her face.
Arthur: Victoria, hand over your security clearance badge and step out of this room right now.
Victoria: You can't expel me! My father owns stock in the estate!
Arthur: I hold the legal power over every account in this family, and as of five minutes ago, your inheritance claim is revoked.
Victoria: You are ruining my life over a maid and an old woman!
Arthur: No, Victoria. Your own cruelty ruined your life. Now get out before security removes you by force.
Victoria burst into hysterical tears, turning on her high heels and sprinting out through the heavy double doors as the crowd whispered in shock.