The Sterling estate stood like a massive white fortress on top of the green hills of Emerald Bay.
Inside the grand house, long silk curtains hung from the warm plaster ceilings down to polished marble floors.
Every corner of the mansion smelled of fresh lilies and dark polished wood that cost thousands of dollars.
Arthur Sterling had spent twenty long years building his logistics empire from the ground up through hard work.
He was a strong man who loved his newborn son Leo more than his own life or huge fortune.
Arthur: He is my entire future, Clara.
Clara: He has your kind eyes, Mr. Sterling.
Clara had worked as a maid in the Sterling house for nearly five whole years now.
She kept her navy uniform spotless and washed the long hallways with soft white cotton towels every day.
She knew every dark corner of the mansion better than anyone else who lived under that high roof.
Six months ago, Arthur had married a younger woman named Vivian after a very quick whirlwind courtship.
Vivian always wore expensive royal purple velvet gowns and walked through the halls like a proud queen.
She rarely smiled at the domestic staff and never spent time with baby Leo in his quiet nursery.
Vivian: Take those dusty boots out of my sight right now.
Clara: Yes, Mrs. Sterling, right away.
Clara bowed her head politely and picked up the heavy leather riding boots from the clean rug.
She noticed how Vivian glared at the small wooden crib sitting near the grand curved marble staircase.
It was clear to everyone that Vivian disliked sharing Arthur's massive inheritance with an infant boy.
The newborn baby had required special daily liquid medication ever since his early premature birth last fall.
Without those vital glass vials, the young boy's weak heart would struggle to beat smoothly throughout night.
Arthur had trusted Clara to keep the glass medicine bottles locked inside the small carved side cabinet.
Arthur: Make sure he gets his drops every evening at six o'clock sharp.
Clara: I will never forget his schedule, sir.
That afternoon, Arthur announced he had to leave for an urgent corporate meeting across the busy city.
His silver sedan pulled out of the long stone driveway just as heavy gray clouds rolled in.
Vivian stood at the top balcony railing with a cold look in her bright blue narrow eyes.
Clara felt a sharp spike of worry run down her spine as the heavy front doors closed.