The Setup In The Foyer
The Setup In The Foyer
The grand foyer of the Vance mansion was paved with polished white marble that reflected the crystal chandeliers hanging high above. Every single morning, twenty-two-year-old Elena stood near the grand staircase in her plain white maid apron, waiting for her daily instructions. She had worked for the Vance family for only six months, but she carried herself with quiet dignity despite the grueling twelve-hour shifts. Her mother was sick back home, and the salary from this cleaning job paid for the expensive medical bills every month. Elena could not afford to lose this job, no matter how cold the people in this giant house were to her.
Victoria Vance, the young wife of real estate mogul Arthur Vance, strutted down the curved staircase wearing a striking maroon designer dress. Her golden bracelets clinked together as she held a soft leather designer wallet in her manicured hands. Victoria had never liked Elena from the day the young woman was hired. Elena was young, hardworking, and well-liked by the rest of the household staff, which somehow deeply bothered Victoria. Victoria liked absolute control over everyone in her house, and she hated anyone who did not bow down to her instantly.
As Victoria reached the bottom step, she glanced around the wide open hallway to make sure the heavy wooden doors were clear. She walked past Elena, who was carefully wiping down a tall porcelain vase on a mahogany table. Victoria paused for just half a second right behind the unsuspecting young maid. With a swift, practiced movement of her wrist, Victoria secretly slid her expensive maroon leather wallet straight into the wide front apron pocket of Elena's uniform. Elena was wiping the porcelain glass so intently that she only felt a tiny tug at her waist, assuming her apron had caught on the corner of the table.
Victoria took three quick steps away, then suddenly spun around on her high heels. She let out a loud, dramatic scream that echoed right through the high ceilings of the entire mansion. Before Elena could even turn around to see what was happening, Victoria stepped forward and swung her hand hard. A sharp, stinging slap echoed across the marble hall, hitting Elena right across her left cheek. The force of the blow knocked the poor maid sideways against the edge of the mahogany table.
Victoria: You stole it! Thief!
Elena: What... what are you doing, ma'am? I didn't touch anything!
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Victoria: Keep your hands where I can see them! My leather wallet is missing from my bag, and you were standing right next to me!
Staff members immediately began spilling out from the kitchen and side hallways, their eyes wide with shock as they witnessed the sudden violence. Elena held her burning, bruised red cheek with both shaking hands, tears instantly welling up in her wide blue eyes. She backed up against the cold marble wall, terrified and deeply confused by the wild accusation being shouted in front of all her coworkers.
