Elena carried baby Lily down to the sunlit garden terrace on the south side of the mansion.
The fresh breeze helped calm her racing thoughts, but her mind was still full of worry.
She knew that Victoria was currently inside searching through Mark's confidential legal papers.
If Victoria managed to alter those trust documents, baby Lily would lose her entire rightful inheritance.
Elena sat down on a stone bench and held the baby gently in her warm lap.
She needed to find solid proof before making any direct statements to Mr. Sterling.
About twenty minutes later, the mansion's senior butler, Arthur, walked out onto the sunny terrace.
Arthur was a kind elderly man who had served the Sterling family for over thirty years.
Arthur: You look very worried today, Elena, is everything alright with the young baby?
Elena: The baby is doing fine, Arthur, but I am deeply concerned about Mrs. Sterling.
Arthur: What has she done now to cause you such great anxiety on this afternoon?
Elena: I overheard her discussing the baby's trust fund with a lawyer on the phone.
Arthur's expression turned serious as he sat down beside Elena on the long garden bench.
He lowered his voice so that no other household staff members could hear their conversation.
Arthur: I have also noticed unusual activity regarding the master's private financial files recently.
Elena: She wants to sign over the child's estate to herself before Mark returns home.
Arthur: That matches what I saw on her desk in the study earlier this morning.
Elena: Did you see the actual legal documents sitting on her private desk, Arthur?
Arthur: Yes, she has a folder containing forged signature pages for the main property trust.
Elena gasped softly as the full truth of the dangerous situation became completely clear.
Victoria was not just planning to alter documents, she was committing actual fraud today.
Elena: We have to stop her before Mark signs anything without reading the details.
Arthur: Mark's flight arrives in two hours, so we must act very carefully right now.
Elena: I will keep baby Lily safe with me until Mark enters the front door.
Arthur: I will keep watch near the front entrance to alert you when he arrives.
Elena thanked Arthur for his loyalty and carried the baby back inside the bright house.
As she walked through the central foyer, she looked up at the second-floor balcony balcony railing.
Victoria was standing near the wrought-iron railing, looking down at Elena with an angry glare.
Victoria: Why are you bringing that child back inside when I told you to stay outside?
Elena: It is getting cold outside, ma'am, and baby Lily needs her afternoon nap now.
Victoria: Give the baby to me immediately, Elena, and go clean the basement pantry.
Elena: I am responsible for her care, Mrs. Sterling, and I will keep her with me.
Victoria: Do not dare talk back to me in my own home, you simple maid!
Victoria began walking down the grand marble staircase with fast, aggressive steps.
Elena held the baby tightly and took three cautious steps backward toward the front entry door.
She could feel the pure malice radiating from the cruel stepmother right in front of her.
Victoria: You think you are so clever, but you are nothing in this luxury home!
Elena: I know what you are trying to do to this innocent child's future, Victoria!
Victoria: You know nothing, and nobody will ever believe the words of a lowly maid!
Victoria reached the bottom of the stairs and stood directly in front of brave Elena.
Her eyes were filled with rage as she glared down at the nanny and the infant.
Victoria: Hand over the child and her identification documents right now, Elena!
Elena: No, I will not let you destroy this baby's future for your own greed!
The tension in the grand foyer reached a dangerous high point as both women stood firm.
Elena refused to back down, ready to protect the baby with everything she had inside.