Elena: Is there something else you need, sir?
Arthur: I need to apologize to you, Elena.
Elena: You don't need to apologize to me, Mr. Vance. You did nothing wrong.
Arthur: I brought that woman into this home. I exposed my daughter and my staff to her cruelty because I was too blind to see her real character.
Elena: She was very clever, sir. She only showed her bad side when you were away at the office.
Lily: Yeah! She acted real nice when you were home, Daddy, but as soon as your car left, she was mean!
Arthur: How long has this been going on, Elena?
Elena: About a month, sir. She started by yelling at the kitchen staff, then docking our pay for minor mistakes.
Arthur: Docking your pay?! She had no authority to touch your salaries!
Elena: She told us if we complained to you, she would have us blacklisted from every estate agency in the state.
Arthur shook his head in absolute disgust, holding Lily tighter against his chest.
Arthur: She threatened your livelihoods to keep you silent.
Elena: We were scared, Mr. Vance. Most of the staff have families to feed.
Arthur: Today, that ends. Elena, starting immediately, I am doubling your salary.
Elena: Oh! Mr. Vance, no... that is far too much!
Arthur: You stepped between a dangerous woman and my daughter today. You took a hit to protect my child. Double salary isn't even close to what you truly deserve.
Lily: Yay! Elena stays!
Arthur: Not only stays, sweetie. I am promoting Elena to Head Estate Manager. She will oversee all staff, all budgets, and all house operations.
Tears welled up in Elena’s eyes as she placed her hand over her heart, looking at Arthur in utter shock.
Elena: I... I don't know what to say, sir. Thank you so much.
Arthur: You proved your loyalty and love for my family today. That is priceless to me.
Lily: Can Elena have dinner with us tonight, Daddy?
Arthur: Of course she can. If she wants to, of course.
Elena: I would be honored, Lily.
A soft knock sounded at the open bedroom door. Frank, the head security officer, stepped into the doorway with a professional nod.
Frank: Mr. Vance, the intruder has been escorted off the property premises. The gate locks have been reset, and her codes have been deleted.
Arthur: Did she cause any trouble at the gate?
Frank: She screamed a bit, sir, but a taxi picked her up two minutes ago. Her personal bags are piled near the guardhouse.
Arthur: Have a courier ship those bags to her mother's apartment in town. I don't want a single trace of her remaining in this house by sunset.
Frank: Understood, sir. It will be taken care of immediately.
Frank bowed his head respectfully and walked back down the hallway, leaving the bedroom peaceful once more.
Lily: Daddy, my face doesn't hurt as much now.
Arthur: That's good, my little princess. Let's get you washed up, and then we'll order whatever you want for dinner.
Lily: Pizza?!
Arthur: Whatever you want, chief. Extra cheese.