The bright sun shone through the tall windows of the grand Moretti estate.
Julian Moretti stood proudly in the center of the white marble ballroom.
He watched his five-year-old son Ethan smile at the giant rose cake.
Today was Ethan's fifth birthday, and the entire family had gathered to celebrate.
Julian was a wealthy man who owned a major international shipping firm.
He had spent months planning this perfect afternoon for his only child.
Soft music played as butler service brought silver trays of sparkling drinks to guests.
Clara Vance stood near the wall in her clean black-and-white maid uniform.
She held the hand of her tiny three-year-old daughter Lily quietly.
Clara had worked for the Moretti family for nearly two whole years.
She worked hard every single day to support her young daughter alone.
Julian always treated Clara with kindness and fair respect on the estate.
Ethan loved playing with little Lily whenever Clara brought her along.
The two children were laughing together near the tall two-tiered dessert table.
Julian adjusted his dark suit jacket and stepped toward his small son.
Julian: Are you ready to make a special wish today, Ethan?
Ethan: Yes daddy, I want the biggest slice with the sweet frosting!
Julian: You can have whatever slice you want, my happy little boy.
Guests gathered around the table with warm smiles and bright cameras.
Julian's older brother Arthur stood near the back of the crowd quietly.
Arthur had a cold expression as he watched Julian hug young Ethan tightly.
Arthur had lost his money in bad investments three long years ago.
He depended entirely on Julian's massive trust fund payouts to survive.
If anything happened to Ethan, Arthur would become the next direct heir.
Nobody in the crowd suspected the dark thoughts inside Arthur's mind today.
Ethan reached his small hand out toward the soft white icing frosting.
Suddenly, three-year-old Lily darted forward across the slick marble floor fast.
She shoved the giant rose cake off the table with surprising strength.
The two-tiered cake smashed hard against the bright marble floor below.
Thick white cream and sweet red roses scattered across the clean tiles.
The entire room went completely silent as guests stared in total shock.
Clara gasped in horror and dropped her tray onto the floor instantly.