The sharp crack of the hand strike echoed off the dining room walls, silencing the holiday chatter instantly.
Victoria: You thought you could rule over my household forever, didn't you?
Martha: I raised your husband, I built this estate, and this is how you treat me on a holiday?
Victoria: You built nothing! You just inherited a fortune and lorded it over everyone around you!
The woman in red violently shoves the elderly woman backward, sending her crashing into the dining table as plates shatter across the floor[cite: 1].
SFX: Crash, breaking plates[cite: 1]
Martha: Oh! Help me...
Victoria: Stay down where you belong, old woman!
Clara: Careful with the antique china, Victoria! That set cost a small fortune!
Victoria: I don't care about the china right now. I care about making sure she understands who is in charge.
Martha gasped for air as the heavy wooden edge of the table bruised her side, sending sharp pains through her back.
Martha: You have no heart, Victoria. None at all.
Victoria: My heart hardened the day you tried to write me out of the family trust fund.
Martha: That trust fund was meant to protect this family from people like you.
Victoria: It's protecting me now, and you're nothing more than an unwanted guest in my dining room.
The family members seated nearby averted their eyes, too terrified of Victoria's temper to intervene.
Clara: Just make her get out of our sight before dessert is served.
Victoria: She's not going anywhere yet. Not until I've made my point entirely clear.
Will anyone in the room find the courage to stand up to Victoria's cruelty, or will Martha remain at her mercy?
Martha: You will regret this day before the sun sets.