The high-society penthouse in Dallas, Texas was supposed to be a safe haven, but it had turned into a gilded cage for little Chloe.
Renata held the trembling girl tighter, shielding her face from the harsh glare of the woman who had made their lives a living nightmare since the wedding.
Jessica: You really think my husband is going to believe a hired maid over his own legally wedded wife?
Renata: Mr. Sterling loves his daughter more than anything in this world. The moment he sees that scratch, your game is over.
Jessica: My game? I am the sole beneficiary of this estate's trust fund under our prenuptial agreement.
Renata: A prenuptial agreement signed under coercion while his true will remained locked in his office safe.
Jessica: You talk too much for someone whose mortgage is paid by my goodwill.
Renata: My mortgage is paid by honest work, Jessica. Something you wouldn't understand if your life depended on it.
Chloe clutched the green fabric of Renata's uniform, her small fingers digging into the cloth as she tried to catch her breath.
Chloe: Please don't let her send me away, Renata. I want my real mommy back.
Renata: Shh, sweetheart. Your mother's memory lives right here in your heart. Nobody can ever take that away.
Jessica: Enough of this sentimental nonsense. Turn around and walk out of this bathroom before I call security.
Renata: Go ahead. Call security. Call the police. Let them inspect the security footage from the hallway cameras.
A flicker of genuine panic crossed Jessica's face before she quickly masked it behind her trademark arrogant sneer.
Jessica: The hallway cameras were scheduled for maintenance this morning. There is no footage.
Renata: You forgot that the private cloud backup runs automatically every ten minutes, didn't you?
Jessica's jaw tightened as she realized her meticulous trap had a fatal flaw she failed to anticipate.
How much longer can the wicked stepmother maintain her facade before the entire corporate empire comes crashing down?