Elena took two steps up the marble stairs, holding the wooden railing tightly in her hand.
Victoria: You silly little brat, you ruined my expensive silk scarf!
Leo: I did not mean to drop it, Victoria!
Victoria: Do not speak back to me in that tone!
Elena saw Victoria step forward aggressively, reaching out to grab the young boy's arm roughly.
Leo gasped in fear and tried to pull his arm back away from her sharp grip.
In the tense struggle, Leo lost his balance completely on the edge of the smooth step.
His small shiny shoes slipped against the slick white marble surface of the landing.
Elena screamed out in horror as the little boy tumbled headfirst down the long staircase.
Victoria simply stood at the top landing, watching the terrible fall with a cold expression.
The sound of the child hitting the hard marble steps echoed painfully through the foyer.
Elena: Help me!
Elena dropped down onto her knees at the bottom of the stairs with open arms.
She caught the terrified boy right as he reached the lowest step near the floor.
Elena wrapped her arms tightly around Leo's trembling body, pulling him close to her chest.
Leo sobbed uncontrollably, hiding his tear-stained face into the fabric of her black uniform.
Elena checked his head and hands quickly, looking for any bleeding or broken bones.
Fortunately, the boy had only suffered minor scrapes and deep fright from the sudden fall.
Elena held him tightly, whispering comforting words while her own body shook with rage.
She looked up toward the upper landing, her eyes filled with anger and utter disbelief.
Victoria did not show a single drop of remorse or concern on her polished face.
Instead, she smoothed down her red sequin gown and began walking down the stairs slowly.
Her high heels clicked sharply against the marble with every step she took downward.
Victoria: Give him to me this instant!
Elena: Stay back from him, ma'am!
Victoria: How dare you speak to me like that in my own house!
Elena: You pushed a defenseless child down the stairs!
Victoria: He tripped over his own clumsy feet, you foolish girl!
Victoria pointed her long fingernail directly at Elena's face as she reached the bottom.
Elena stood her ground firmly, placing her body between the angry woman and the boy.
Leo clung tightly to Elena's apron, tears streaming down his small pale cheeks continuously.
The air in the foyer was heavy with tension as the two women glared at each other.
Before Victoria could step closer, the massive front double doors suddenly swung open wide.