Evelyn: How dare you raise your voice to me in my own home!
Maria: Put that down right now! She's just a child!
Evelyn: Mind your own business, Maria, or you won't have a job by the end of the afternoon.
Maria rushed across the room, putting her body directly between the glowing iron and the frightened child on the sofa. She reached out and grabbed Lily, pulling the crying toddler tightly against her chest.
Maria: Fire me then, but I am not letting you burn this innocent little girl.
Evelyn: You forget who pays your salary in this house. Arthur left me in charge of this estate, and that includes his daughter!
Maria: Mr. Vance would never allow you to hurt his baby like this!
Evelyn laughed, a bitter and cold sound that echoed through the vast, empty high-ceilinged room. She set the iron down on the wooden side table with a heavy thud, her eyes narrowing at the maid.
Evelyn: Arthur believes whatever I tell him. He thinks you're careless and lazy. Who do you think he'll believe if I tell him you dropped that iron near her?
Maria: You are a monster, Evelyn. A cold, cruel monster.
Evelyn: I am the mistress of this home, and you are just hired help who can be replaced in five minutes.
Maria held Lily tighter, feeling the little girl's chest heaving against her uniform. The child's tears were soaking through the fabric of Maria's shirt, her tiny fingers clutching at Maria's collar for safety.
Lily: Maria... stay... don't leave me with her...
Maria: I'm right here, sweetie. Nobody is going to hurt you while I'm breathing.
Evelyn: Hand her over right now, Maria. She needs to go to her room for her timeout.
Maria: No! I won't let you touch her again!
Evelyn stepped closer, her designer heel clicking sharply on the polished floor. She raised her hand, reaching out to yank the toddler from Maria's arms with force.
Evelyn: Give her to me this instant!
Before Evelyn's fingers could grab the child's small arm, heavy footsteps rattled the double wooden front doors of the estate entrance. The doors swung wide open, revealing a sharp figure framed by the bright Texas sunlight outside.
Grandmother Eleanor Vance stood on the threshold, her designer leather handbag slung over her arm and her sharp blue eyes taking in the entire chaotic scene instantly.
Eleanor: What in God's name is going on in this house?
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