The grand foyer of the suburban mansion was filled with bright morning light.
Polished white marble stretched across the floor under a massive crystal chandelier.
A framed American flag hung proudly on the accent wall near the entrance.
Elena stood near the bottom of the staircase, holding little Leo in her arms.
She had worked as the family nanny for nearly two whole years.
David, the homeowner, trusted her completely with his only child.
Everything in the household had been peaceful until Victoria moved into the mansion.
Victoria was David’s new fiancée, a woman who cared only about status.
She adjusted her vibrant red sequin dress as she walked down the marble steps.
Her sharp heels clacked loudly against the shiny stone floor.
Elena gripped the toddler gently and stepped back toward the decorative hall table.
“Good morning, Miss Victoria,” Elena said softly, keeping her voice calm.
“Do not address me unless I speak to you first,” Victoria snapped sharply.
She pointed a long red nail right at the young maid’s face.
“David will be back from his morning meeting in ten minutes,” Victoria added.
“I want this foyer completely spotless before his luxury car pulls up.”
“I have already wiped down the marble floors,” Elena replied quietly.
“Leo was just eating his breakfast, so I was taking him upstairs.”
Victoria walked over and grabbed the toddler’s toy bag from Elena’s hand.
She threw the bag onto the floor with a heavy thud.
Little Leo startled at the sudden loud sound and began to cry.
“Look what you made me do with your clumsy hands,” Victoria sneered.
“You are terrible at your job, and you do not belong here.”
Elena quickly bent down to comfort the crying boy in her arms.
“He is just a child, Miss Victoria,” Elena whispered gently.
“There is no reason to throw his things across the room.”
Victoria leaned in closer with a bitter and mocking smile on her face.
“Go ahead and cry all you want, little maid,” Victoria whispered loudly.
“Who do you think David will believe when he walks through that door?”
“He trusts me because I am about to become his wife,” she boasted.
“You are just a useless nanny who can be replaced in one second.”
Elena held the baby tightly against her shoulder, trying to stay calm.
She knew that arguing with Victoria would only make matters much worse.
The heavy mahogany entrance doors suddenly creaked as footsteps approached from outside.