Julian: Get off those stairs right now, Victoria.
Victoria: Julian, please, listen to me for one second!
Julian: I said get down here!
Victoria's high heels clicked against the polished stone as she slowly descended, her confident demeanor completely shattering under Julian's lethal gaze[cite: 1].
Victoria: She was being incredibly lazy, darling! I was just trying to maintain proper discipline in our mansion!
Elena: I wasn't being lazy, Mr. Sterling! I was polishing the hallway like you asked me to this morning!
Victoria: Shut your mouth, maid! You don't speak unless spoken to!
Julian rose to his full height, stepping between Victoria and Elena[cite: 1]. His hands were clenched into tight fists at his sides.
Julian: Do you have any idea what you just did, Victoria[cite: 1]?
Victoria: I put a disrespectful servant in her place! She's just a worker, Julian!
A loud crack echoed through the grand foyer as Julian's palm connected forcefully with Victoria's cheek, sending her stumbling back against the bottom banister[cite: 1].
Victoria: You... you hit me?!
Julian: GET OUT OF MY HOUSE RIGHT NOW[cite: 1]!
Victoria: Are you insane?! I am your wife! We got married three weeks ago!
Julian: And that marriage was the biggest mistake of my entire life!
Julian turned around quickly, gently placing his hands on Elena's shoulders to help her stand up from the floor[cite: 1]. His face softened instantly as he wiped a tear from her cheek[cite: 1].
Julian: Are you okay? Can you walk?
Elena: My head is spinning a little, but I'm okay...
Victoria: Why are you holding her like that?! She's just a maid! Look at how she's dressed!
Julian: Stop talking, Victoria, before I lose my temper completely.
Victoria: I won't stop talking! You chose a house maid over your lawful wife! Have you completely lost your mind?!
Julian: You don't know who she is, do you?
Victoria blinked, her cheek turning red and swollen where Julian had struck her[cite: 1]. She looked at Elena's plain, black uniform, her eyes narrow and full of spite[cite: 1].
Victoria: Who she is? She's the girl who cleans our toilets! She's a nobody!
Julian: She isn't a maid, Victoria.
Victoria: What are you talking about? Look at her! She's wearing the staff uniform!
Elena: I wore this because I wanted to understand how our staff is treated when we aren't looking...
Victoria: 'Our staff'?! What is she talking about, Julian?!
Julian: This is Elena Sterling. My sister[cite: 1]. The co-owner of this entire estate and fifty percent stakeholder in the family trust fund.