Clara adjusted the collar of her light blue maid uniform as she stepped into the grand foyer.
The sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the vast coastal mansion.
She had worked for Arthur Sterling for nearly three years as his main housekeeper.
Arthur was a successful investment banker who loved his infant son, Leo, more than anything else.
However, the mood in the house had shifted dramatically over the past few months.
Arthur had recently married Evelyn, a cold woman obsessed with status and wealth.
Evelyn resented the infant because he was the sole heir to the Sterling family estate.
Clara noticed how Evelyn always looked at little Leo with immense bitter jealousy.
Whenever Arthur was away at the office, Evelyn dropped her sweet, caring act instantly.
She spoke down to the household staff with harsh words and endless unfair demands.
Clara always stayed quiet and performed her daily cleaning duties without complaining once.
Her priority was ensuring little Leo was safe and well cared for every single day.
That morning, Arthur had left early for an urgent executive board meeting across town.
Evelyn walked down the curved marble staircase wearing a flowing champagne-gold designer dress.
She carried the small baby uncomfortably, holding him loosely by his little arms.
Clara felt a sharp knot of anxiety form in her stomach at that sight.
She set her feather duster down on the mahogany side table and took a step forward.
The baby began to cry softly, sensing the tense atmosphere inside the huge room.
Evelyn scoffed loudly, holding the child far away from her pristine designer clothes.
"He never stops making noise," Evelyn muttered with clear annoyance in her voice.
"Please hand him to me, ma'am," Clara said calmly, keeping her voice soft.
"I can take him to his nursery for his scheduled morning nap immediately."
Evelyn smirked coldly and ignored Clara's gentle plea entirely.
She raised the crying baby higher into the air near the heavy marble pillars.
Clara's heart began racing wildly as she watched Evelyn's careless, reckless posture.
The stakes were rising fast inside the quiet, bright luxury estate that morning.