Elena pushed the heavy brass polish cart down the pristine hallway of the Sterling mansion.
The morning light poured through the tall arched windows, casting long shadows across the floor.
She had worked for the Sterling family as a live-in housekeeper for nearly three years.
Julian Sterling was a wealthy investor who managed a massive real estate trust in Chicago.
He was a quiet man who spent long hours working inside his private oak-paneled study.
His young daughter, Lily, was the light of his life after his first wife passed away.
However, six months ago, Julian married Victoria, a cruel woman from a wealthy social circle.
Victoria hated the quiet routine of the estate and treated the household staff with open disdain.
She constantly demanded absolute perfection while looking for reasons to fire the older servants.
Elena adjusted her apron as she wiped down the carved wooden banister on the second floor.
She noticed Victoria standing near the open door of the master bedroom suite upstairs.
Victoria wore an expensive silk robe and stared at Elena with cold, dismissive eyes.
Victoria: Make sure you polish every single brass handle on this floor today.
Elena: Yes, Mrs. Sterling, I am already working on the upper hallway banisters.
Victoria: I do not want to see a single fingerprint anywhere near my room.
Elena nodded politely and continued wiping the dark wood with her soft yellow cloth.
She knew better than to argue with the quick-tempered woman who now ran the house.
Suddenly, the heavy double doors at the main entrance clicked open downstairs in the foyer.
Julian stepped inside carrying a leather briefcase after returning from an early morning meeting.
Julian: Elena, please ask the kitchen staff to prepare fresh coffee for my study.
Elena: Right away, Mr. Sterling, I will bring it down in just five minutes.
Julian gave a tired smile before walking down the grand corridor toward his private office.
Victoria watched her husband disappear down the hall, her expression instantly turning sour and bitter.
She walked toward the antique glass cabinet where the family's valuable legal papers were stored.
Elena carefully watched Victoria from the edge of her vision while wiping the polished railing.
She had a strange feeling that Victoria was planning something deceitful behind Julian's back.