The bright morning sun shone across the huge marble entryway of the grand Dallas mansion.
Elena adjusted her dark gray uniform as she polished the heavy silver railing on the ground floor.
She had worked for the wealthy Sterling family for nearly five long years without a single complaint.
Her hands moved carefully over the bright metal while soft classical music played softly in the background.
Every corner of the massive estate was kept spotless under her constant care and dedicated attention.
Yet despite her hard work, Victoria Sterling never treated her with any real kindness or respect.
Victoria was the young second wife of the powerful real estate tycoon named Richard Sterling.
She walked down the tiled hallway wearing a long gold dress that rustled with every single step.
Victoria: You missed a spot on the marble trim near the front doors, Elena.
Elena: I am fixing it right now, Mrs. Sterling.
Elena spoke softly and kept her head bowed out of habit and quiet respect.
She did not want to cause any trouble or invite unnecessary drama into her busy workday.
Her monthly salary supported her aging mother who lived in a small quiet apartment across town.
Losing this job was something that Elena simply could not afford under any circumstance whatsoever.
She wiped the marble surface clean until it reflected the bright lights hanging high above her.
Victoria stood at the edge of the hallway with her arms crossed over her chest tightly.
Victoria: Make sure the upper balcony is completely clear before Richard arrives back from his trip.
Elena: Yes, Mrs. Sterling, I will handle that immediately.
Elena picked up her cleaning supplies and headed up the wide curved staircase toward the top floor.
The mansion was unusually quiet because the rest of the household staff had taken the day off.
Only Victoria and Elena remained inside the massive living quarters on that clear sunny morning.
Elena stepped onto the upper landing and noticed a heavy velvet box resting near the edge.
The decorative wooden railing overlooked the main living space two stories down below.
It was a dangerous drop onto the cold patterned marble tiles of the lower floor.
Victoria: Stop right there and do not touch those historical family items on the table!
Elena: I was only trying to put them safely away from the steep balcony edge.
Victoria marched toward her with sharp high heels clicking loudly against the polished floorboards.
Her face was tight with frustration that had been building up over the past few weeks.
She picked up a wrapped blanket bundle from the marble bench near the ornate carved railing.
Victoria: You always think you know what is best for this house, don't you?
Elena: No, ma'am, I am only doing the job I was hired to do here.
Victoria leaned over the railing while holding the delicate embroidered cloth high in the air.
She looked down toward the lower floor as if she was planning something very calculated.
Victoria: Let us see how well you handle a real emergency under pressure today!
She suddenly pushed the heavy bundle over the edge before Elena could even stretch out her arms.
The heavy cloth dropped fast through the open space toward the hard floor below.
Elena gasped in horror and scrambled down the stairs as fast as her legs could carry her.
She slid onto her knees across the checkered tiles and caught the package right in time.
Elena: Oh my god, what has happened here today!
She held the wrapped bundle against her chest while her whole body trembled with deep fear.
Victoria smirked from the upper railing as the sound of a key turning rang out clearly.
The grand double doors swung wide open as Richard Sterling stepped into the grand entryway.