The night of the charity gala arrived with bright lights everywhere.
Dozens of rich guests walked through the front doors of the mansion.
Julian stood in the center of the room wearing a black suit.
He talked to his company lawyers about the upcoming trust fund papers.
Julian: Is everything ready for the official public announcement tonight?
Lawyer: Yes sir, we just need your final signed document on stage.
Julian looked around the crowded ballroom to find his young son.
Julian: Have you seen Leo dressed in his new grey suit yet?
Lawyer: I think he was upstairs getting ready with Mrs. Vance.
Upstairs on the second floor landing, Eleanor stood near the staircase.
She wore a bright green diamond dress that shimmered under lights.
Her sharp eyes looked down at young Leo with total anger.
She held the stolen trust fund document behind her golden purse.
Leo: Please let me go down to see my father now.
Eleanor: You are not going downstairs to take my estate money!
Leo: That is my mother's gift to me and my dad!
Eleanor: Your mother is gone and this money belongs to me now!
She stepped closer to Leo and raised her voice in fury.
Eleanor: Get out of my life and stay out of this mansion!
She forcefully pushed Leo backward toward the steep marble stairs.
Leo stumbled on the edge of the smooth white marble step.
He cried out in fear as he lost his balance near the top.
Leo: Help me please, somebody help me!
Down at the bottom of the steps, Maya was serving drinks.
She heard Leo's terrified cry echo through the large hallway.
Maya dropped her serving tray onto the floor without a second thought.
She ran directly toward the grand white marble staircase.
Leo slipped down two steps before catching the thick wooden handrail.
Eleanor stood above him and refused to reach out her hand.
Maya rushed up the bottom steps and caught Leo securely in her arms.
She held the crying boy tightly against her blue uniform shirt.
Maya: I have you sweet boy, you are safe with me now.
Leo sobbed softly against Maya's shoulder while shaking with fear.
Leo: She pushed me and took my dad's important papers!
Maya stood up slowly while holding Leo right beside her side.
She glared up the staircase at Eleanor with extreme public anger.
Eleanor held her head high and acted like nothing had happened.
Eleanor: He was clumsy and almost tripped over his own shoes.
Maya: I saw what you did with my own two eyes!
Eleanor: You are just a waitress, nobody will listen to your words!
Maya walked up the steps until she faced Eleanor directly.
Guests in the foyer stopped talking and looked up at them.
The loud music in the main ballroom began to fade away.
Everyone sensed that a giant confrontation was starting on the stairs.