By early afternoon, the mansion fell quiet as the remaining house staff took their afternoon breaks.
Hannah stayed in the main hall to polish the grand marble staircase railings under the American flag.
She wanted to ensure little Leo was safe while Richard was away in court signing papers.
Victoria walked slowly up the curved marble steps, her heels clicking loudly against the polished floor.
She stopped near the high balcony overlooking the grand entrance foyer.
Victoria: Leo! Come up here right now and collect your school books!
Leo picked up his favorite toy truck and slowly walked up the steps toward her.
Leo: I am coming, Stepmother.
Victoria waited near the top step, where the steep marble dropped off sharply toward the ground.
She leaned down close to the terrified young boy.
Victoria: You think this whole estate will belong to you one day, don't you?
Leo: My dad said this is my home.
Victoria: Your father is naive, and you are just an obstacle to my future.
Victoria reached out her gloved hand and roughly grabbed Leo's arm near the top edge.
Leo gasped in fear and tried to pull back toward the safe hallway corridor.
Leo: You are hurting my arm!
Victoria: Accidents happen so easily in big mansions!
She violently thrust her hands forward, attempting to force the young child off the top ledge.
Leo let out a terrified shriek as he lost his balance on the slick stone steps.
Leo: Help me, please!
From the lower landing, Hannah heard the frantic scream ring out across the foyer.
She dropped her polishing cloth and sprinted toward the base of the staircase without hesitation.
Leo was stumbling backward over the step edges, clutching wildly for a handrail.
Hannah bounded up the steps three at a time with incredible speed.
She opened her arms just as Leo fell toward the stone landing below.
Hannah caught the boy tightly against her chest, absorbing the impact on her own shoulders.
They slid across the smooth marble floor together, coming to a halt near the entrance.
Leo sobbed uncontrollably into Hannah's uniform while trembling from head to toe.
Hannah: I've got you safe, sweetheart!
Victoria stood at the top of the stairs, looking down with cold disappointment.