Inside the grand bathroom, small Lily cowered near the marble wall.
Elena held the silver pitcher high with a harsh, cold look.
Elena: Hold still!
Elena: You need to learn discipline!
The cruel stepmother tilted the silver pitcher slowly over Lily's arm.
Freezing water spilled over the poor child's delicate pink skin.
Lily let out a shrill cry that echoed off marble tiles.
Suddenly, the bathroom door burst open with a loud thud.
Clara, the house maid, rushed inside with utter panic on her face.
Clara: Lady, it's freezing!
Clara: Stop doing that right now!
Elena spun around in complete shock at the maid's bold entrance.
She did not expect anyone to cross her authority inside this home.
Elena took a sudden step backward on the wet marble floor.
Her slippery slipper lost all traction on the smooth slick tile.
She gasped loudly as her balance failed her completely in seconds.
Elena fell backward hard into the deep, water-filled white bathtub.
A massive splash of cold water erupted across the white bathroom.
Soaking wet silk robes clung to Elena as she gasped violently.
Clara immediately wrapped small Lily inside a thick dry towel.
Clara: You are safe now, sweet girl.
Lily: She was so mean to me, Clara!
Clara held the shivering child close against her warm chest.
Elena struggled desperately to climb out of the deep tub bowl.
Water spilled out across the floor, soaking the marble rugs.
Outside the mansion, tires screeched loudly along the wide driveway.
Mark had finally arrived home with police cruisers close behind him.
The heavy front doors of the estate swung open with force.
Mark ran straight up the front steps into the main lobby.
Two uniform officers followed directly behind his quick rushing steps.
Mark held his digital tablet firmly in his right hand.
The hidden camera footage still recorded every sound and action live.
He heard the loud commotion coming from the master suite upstairs.
His blood ran cold as he sprinted toward the main hallway.