Julian walked up to Elena in the grand hallway, his eyes red with suppressed tears.
Elena stood up nervously, clutching her hands together in front of her torn apron.
Julian: Elena... I need to apologize to you. I was completely wrong about what happened.
Elena: You saw the security footage, sir?
Julian: I saw everything. You saved my daughter's life while my wife stood by and did nothing.
Elena let out a long breath she felt like she had been holding for hours.
Elena: Is little Lily okay now? Is she resting in her room?
Julian: She is sleeping upstairs safely thanks to your incredible bravery today.
Two police cruisers pulled up the long driveway, their red lights flashing through the front windows.
Clara was escorted down the stairs by two officers, her silver gown looking wrinkled and ruined.
She glared furiously at Elena as the officers led her toward the heavy front doors.
Clara: You ruined my life, you filthy maid! You don't belong in this house!
Julian: Take her away, officers. I will provide the video evidence to the court today.
The heavy oak doors closed, leaving the mansion quiet once again under the bright daylight.
Julian turned back to Elena, taking out a checkbook from inside his inner coat pocket.
Julian: You saved the most important thing in my life today, Elena. I can never repay that.
Elena: I just did what anyone would do, Mr. Vance. I couldn't let her get hurt.
Julian: Most people would have hesitated, but you didn't think twice about your own safety.
He wrote a check for a large sum of money and handed it directly to the young woman.
Julian: This is a bonus for your courage, and your salary is officially tripled from today on.
Elena looked down at the check and gasped, seeing enough money to pay off her family's debts.
Elena: Sir, this is too much! I cannot accept all this money from you!
Julian: You earned every single cent, and I want you to become Lily's full-time nanny.