The bright morning sun streamed through the huge glass windows of the grand living room.
Light marble floors reflected the sparkling crystal chandeliers hanging high above the elegant furniture.
It was a quiet morning inside the hilltop estate.
Yet a dark cloud hung over the entire family after recent losses.
Victoria stood near the marble fireplace wearing a sharp silk suit.
She checked her diamond watch impatiently while tapping her foot on the rug.
She had lived in the grand house for only two years.
Her goal had always been to take control of the family estate.
In the corner of the room, little Leo sat on a soft blue carpet.
The tiny toddler played quietly with his wooden blocks.
He wore a baby blue jumpsuit and giggled to himself.
Leo was only eighteen months old and knew nothing of adult greed.
His mother had passed away six months ago after a long illness.
Since that day, Victoria had watched the little boy with deep resentment.
She saw the baby as an obstacle to her grand plans.
If the boy remained the legal heir, she would get nothing.
Victoria stepped toward the innocent child with a cold look in her eyes.
She intentionally kicked his wooden block tower across the room.
The sharp sound made little Leo freeze in sudden surprise.
Then Victoria shoved his stroller against the coffee table with sudden force.
The heavy noise startled the small boy terribly.
Leo fell backward onto the soft rug in sheer shock.
He began to cry loudly as tears streamed down his small face.
Victoria leaned down over the frightened toddler with a harsh glare.
She raised her hand threateningly toward the crying child.
Victoria: Quiet down right now, you noisy little brat!
Victoria: Your mother is gone and nobody here cares about your tears!
Leo sobbed even harder as he clutched his small blue blanket.
Victoria snatched the blanket away and tossed it onto the sofa.
Victoria: You do not deserve anything in this mansion!
Maria the housemaid walked into the living room holding fresh towels.
She froze in place near the American flag on the wall.
She saw Victoria standing over the weeping toddler with total malice.
Maria dropped her armful of towels onto the polished floor.
Maria: You raised your voice at a helpless baby?!
Victoria: Mind your own business and get back to work!
Maria: He is just an innocent child who misses his mother!
Victoria: He is a threat to my rightful inheritance!
Maria took a quick step forward to protect the little boy.
Victoria blocked her path with a strict hand raised.
Victoria: If you take one more step, you are fired immediately!
Maria looked toward the double entrance doors in desperation.
She prayed that Mark would return home from his trip in time.