The morning sun filtered through the massive arched windows of the grand lakeside mansion.
Sarah adjusted her crisp grey maid uniform while carrying a fresh tray of polished silverware.
She had worked for the wealthy businessman Richard Vance for nearly five full years.
Her main duty was caring for tiny baby Emma after the tragic passing of Richard's first wife.
The house was usually peaceful during these early quiet morning hours before anyone else awoke.
However, everything changed when Eleanor married Richard six months ago after a whirlwind romance.
Eleanor brought constant tension and cold demands into every corner of the luxurious estate.
Sarah noticed how Eleanor looked at little Emma with deep resentment and sharp bitterness.
The family trust fund clearly named baby Emma as the sole heir to the vast fortune.
That financial detail deeply bothered Eleanor, who wanted total control over the entire estate.
Sarah walked softly across the cold marble floor toward the sprawling grand staircase in the foyer.
She heard sharp footsteps echoing along the second-floor balcony above the main hall.
Sarah paused and looked up through the iron railings to see Eleanor standing alone.
Sarah: Good morning, Mrs. Vance, do you need breakfast served upstairs today?
Eleanor did not answer immediately and instead smiled with a cold and bitter look.
In her hand, Eleanor held a priceless glass baby cradle souvenir left by Emma's mother.
Eleanor: This ridiculous little trinket takes up way too much space on the shelf.
Sarah: Please be careful with that glass souvenir because it belongs to baby Emma!
Eleanor: Oh, did you mean this fragile little worthless thing right here?
Sarah took two fast steps forward as her heart began pounding inside her chest.
She could see the cruel intention shining bright inside Eleanor's cold blue eyes.
Sarah: Please put that down safely before it breaks on the hard marble floor!
Eleanor: Oops, bye-bye!
Eleanor opened her slender fingers and released the heavy glass object over the high railing.
Sarah dropped her tray completely and sprinted forward across the slick white marble floor.
She lunged with all her strength and caught the falling glass inches from the ground.
Sarah slid across the polished surface, holding the precious heirloom tight against her chest.
She gasped for breath while sitting on the cold floor in total utter disbelief.
Sarah: I caught it, it is completely safe and sound now.
Up on the balcony, Eleanor let out an angry screech of pure bitter frustration.