The morning sun cast long shadows across the giant stone estate.
Arthur Vance stood inside his spacious office looking over his legal papers.
He was a successful businessman who built his wealth from scratch.
His heart belonged entirely to his newly adopted baby daughter named Lily.
Lily was only six months old and brought bright joy to his life.
However, his second wife Victoria did not feel the same way.
Victoria loved the family mansion and the expensive car collections.
She married Arthur two years ago after meeting at a charity gala.
She always dreamed of inheriting his vast estate and trust fund money.
The surprise adoption of baby Lily completely shattered her selfish dreams.
Victoria viewed the small helpless child as an unwanted obstacle to wealth.
She believed an adopted baby did not deserve a single dollar.
Elena, the young house maid, noticed Victoria's cold glare every morning.
Elena had worked for the Vance family for over four years.
She cleaned the marble floors and took care of the baby rooms.
Elena loved little Lily like her own little sister.
She often carried the child through the bright sunlit gardens.
Every time Victoria walked past, her face twisted with bitter disgust.
Elena stayed extra watchful whenever Arthur had to travel for business.
That quiet Tuesday morning, Arthur had an important corporate board meeting.
He kissed baby Lily on her forehead before leaving the mansion.
Arthur reminded Elena to keep a close eye on the baby.
Elena promised him that she would never leave the child's side.
As Arthur's dark sedan drove away, Victoria stepped onto the balcony.
She looked down at the courtyard with a cruel smile on her face.
Victoria called out to Elena in a sharp, cold voice.
She ordered Elena to clean the basement storage rooms immediately.
Elena felt a sudden wave of worry wash over her heart.
She knew the basement was far away from the nursery upstairs.
Elena gently placed baby Lily inside her soft wooden crib.
She decided to hurry her cleaning task so she could return quickly.
Meanwhile, Victoria walked quietly toward the baby nursery door.
She opened the heavy wooden door without making any sound.
Victoria picked up the sleeping child along with her birth papers.
She planned to take the child away before anyone noticed.
Her goal was to erase the adoption records forever.
Victoria wanted her own name on the estate documents instead.
She carried the baby out toward the bright rear pool balcony.
The poolside balustrades stood high above the deep blue water.
Victoria looked around the quiet yard to make sure no one watched.
She held the baby carrier tightly near the stone edge railings.
Her heart was filled with dark greed and total selfishness.
She was ready to ruin a little girl's entire future today.