Leo fell onto the landing, holding his bruised shoulder in pain.
The boy cried out as the sharp wooden floor bruised his knees.
Victoria stood over him with a cold and heartless grin on her face.
Victoria: You should have obeyed me from the very beginning, boy.
Maria rushed down the hall and slid to her knees beside Leo.
She pulled the crying child into her arms to protect him fully.
Maria: It hurts so much, doesn't it, my poor sweet boy?
Leo: She hurt my arm again, Maria! She pushed me down!
Maria: How could you do this to an innocent child, Victoria?
Victoria: He tripped over his own feet because he was disobeying me.
Victoria clutched the stolen blue envelope tightly against her green gown.
She looked down at the maid and the boy with absolute disdain.
Victoria: Nobody in this city will ever take the word of a maid.
Maria: The truth always comes out, no matter how rich you are.
Victoria: I am the mistress of this estate, and you are fired!
She waved her hand dismissively and turned back toward the balcony railing.
Suddenly, the heavy front doors of the mansion swung wide open.
Two Dallas police officers entered the foyer with severe expressions.
Directly behind them walked Richard Vance, wearing his sharp black suit.
He had returned early from his business trip after receiving Maria's text message.
Richard took one look at his crying son kneeling on the floor.
He saw the red marks on Leo's arms and the torn envelope.
Richard sprinted up the grand marble staircase four steps at a time.
Richard: What in the world is happening in my house right now?
Leo pointed his small hand directly at Victoria with tears streaming down.
Leo: Father! She tried to steal mother's trust and she pushed me!
Richard stopped at the top of the stairs and looked at his wife.
His face turned red with absolute, uncontainable rage and betrayal.
Richard: Is this true, Victoria? Did you lay hands on my son?
Victoria: Richard, darling, the boy is lying to protect this maid!
Maria: She broke his mother's picture and tried to destroy his inheritance!
Maria held up the remaining legal documents that showed the estate ownership.
Richard snatched the papers from Victoria's hand and inspected the broken seal.
He looked at his wife as if he were seeing a stranger.
Richard: You came into my life only for my money and power.
Victoria: That is not true! I love you and this family!
Richard: You mistreated my son and tried to rob his future!
The two police officers walked up the stairs and stood behind Victoria.
Victoria backed up against the balcony railing, her face pale with shock.
Victoria: Richard, please! You cannot believe these ridiculous lies!
Richard: I have seen more than enough with my own eyes today.
He stepped forward and placed his arm around his sobbing son.
The air in the mansion was dead silent as judgment fell upon Victoria.