Thomas: You think your family business makes you untouchable, don't you, Victoria?
Victoria: I know exactly who I am. And I know that a common independent contractor like you has no standing in this house. You were hired to fix the plumbing in the guest house, not to lecture me.
Thomas: I know exactly who you are too. You're the woman who used her family's divorce lawyer to destroy your ex-husband's life ten years ago.
Victoria's dismissive smile faltered for a fraction of a second, her fair skin turning slightly pale under the brilliant daylight of the foyer. She crossed her arms tightly, trying to regain her dominant posture.
Victoria: That is entirely irrelevant to this conversation. My personal history has nothing to do with your daughter's terrible performance.
Thomas: It has everything to do with it. You've been bitter and cruel ever since the judge ruled against your custody claims because of your abusive behavior.
Lily: Papa... how do you know that?
Thomas: Because my brother was the investigator who worked that legal lawsuit, Lily. He told me all about the wealthy Mrs. Vance who thought she could buy the court system with her trust fund.
Victoria: That is a complete fabrication! I settled that case out of court, and my inheritance remains fully intact under the current family trust!
Thomas: You settled because you knew the media would destroy your family's retail shares if the truth about how you treated your own children got out to the public.
Lily stood up slowly, leaning against the marble column for support. Her stomach was still twisting with hunger pains, but the revelation left her stunned.
Lily: You have children, Mrs. Vance? Where are they?
Victoria: Shut your mouth! You do not speak to me about my family! You are a servant, nothing more!
Thomas: They won't even visit her at this massive mansion, Lily. They live across the country with their father because they couldn't stand being near her cruelty for another second.
Victoria: Enough! I am calling the police this instant! You are threatening me in my own home, and I will ensure your business license is revoked by the city board before the sun goes down!
Victoria snatched her luxury phone from the console table, her long, manicured nails clicking loudly against the glass screen. Her face was flushed with a mixture of intense anger and deep embarrassment that someone from the working class knew her darkest secrets.
Thomas: Go ahead and make the call, Victoria. Let's see what happens when the officers arrive and see the physical evidence of assault on a young girl's face.
Victoria: I didn't assault anyone! She fell while carrying the cleaning supplies!
Lily: You slapped me! You know you did! You screamed at me because I didn't move fast enough when you walked through the hallway!
Victoria: Nobody will believe a word that comes out of a starving maid's mouth over the testimony of a major corporate CEO.