Elena walked down the quiet hallway of the large Dallas estate.
She held a stack of clean white towels in her arms.
The air inside the grand house felt strangely cold and tense today.
Elena had worked for the rich Sterling family for three long years.
She loved caring for the home, but things changed when Victoria arrived.
Victoria married Mr. Julian Sterling just six months ago after a fast romance.
Julian was a wealthy man who owned a major energy company in Texas.
He was often away on long business trips to sign important contracts.
His first wife had passed away during childbirth only two months prior.
That sad event left tiny baby Leo without a mother in this world.
Victoria always pretended to be a loving new stepmother whenever Julian was home.
She smiled softly and held the baby close when her husband looked on.
However, the moment Julian left the house, her gentle smile instantly vanished.
She treated the household staff with great cruelty and constant harsh verbal abuse.
Elena noticed how Victoria looked at little Leo with cold, bitter hatred.
Victoria wanted Julian's vast fortune and massive estate all for herself entirely.
She saw the newborn heir as a major threat to her financial future.
Elena paused near the bottom of the grand curved white marble staircase.
She heard a faint, muffled sound coming from the large front foyer area.
It sounded like a tiny baby crying out in deep physical distress.
Elena set the clean folded towels down on a polished wooden table.
She walked quickly toward the bright entrance hall to check on the noise.
Her heart beat fast against her chest as the strange muffled cries grew louder.
She rounded the corner and saw Victoria standing near the tall double doors.
Victoria wore an expensive blue gown and stared down at a large blue cooler.
The plastic cooler sat open right on the pristine white marble floor surface.
Elena gasped out loud when she saw tiny hands moving inside the container.
Victoria looked up with angry eyes as Elena rushed across the room.
The cruel woman did not look ashamed or guilty at all in that moment.
She glared at the house maid with intense fury and deep annoyance instead.
Elena knew she had to act fast to protect the defenseless child right now.