The cold glass of the water-filled tank vibrated softly as the heavy iron key turned inside the lock[cite: 5]. Inside the transparent container sitting in the middle of the luxury mansion foyer, a tiny infant struggled against the freezing water, his small hands pressing uselessly against the thick glass[cite: 5]. Tiny air bubbles escaped his mouth with every terrified breath[cite: 5].
Baby Crying: "Help me out, mommy! Help me, it's too cold![cite: 5]"
Across the white marble room, Victoria sat gracefully on a velvet couch[cite: 5]. She wore a shimmering metallic gold evening gown, her blonde hair falling perfectly over her shoulders as she gently swirled a glass of red wine[cite: 5]. She raised the crystal glass toward the tank with a cruel, satisfied smile, taking a slow sip as the baby's cries grew faint behind the glass[cite: 5].
Victoria: "Quiet down, little boy. Your continuous crying has ruined my quiet afternoon for the very last time."
Elena: "Stop! What are you doing to him?!"
Elena, the baby's biological mother who had been locked out in the courtyard, slammed her fists against the tall front windows in sheer agony. She could see her precious infant submerged in the freezing liquid, his eyes pleading for help[cite: 5].
Victoria: "You shouldn't have come back, Elena. This estate belongs to me now, and so does Richard's fortune."
Elena: "He is just a baby! He hasn't done anything to you!"
Victoria: "He is the sole heir to forty million dollars. As long as he breathes, I am just a stepmother waiting in line."
Elena backed away from the window, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. She knew she had less than two minutes before the cold water filled the container completely[cite: 5]. Screaming for help into the quiet Palm Beach neighborhood, she sprinted toward the main security gate just as heavy sirens began to blare in the distance[cite: 5]. If the officers didn't break down the doors in time, her baby would draw his final breath right in front of his heartless stepmother[cite: 5].