The grand mansion stood high on the hilltop overlooking the ocean coast.
Its high white walls inside reflected the bright sunlight streaming through giant glass windows.
Sarah adjusted her dark blue uniform uniform apron while standing quietly near the grand foyer stairs.
She had worked for the Sterling family as a housemaid for over five years now.
She knew every room, every hallway, and every secret kept inside these large quiet spaces.
Arthur Sterling was a famous billionaire who built his massive fortune through hard real estate work.
He lost his first wife five years ago after a long and painful illness.
She left behind her infant son named Leo, who inherited her sweet quiet smile.
Arthur threw himself into heavy work to cope with his deep grief and sudden loss.
Two years ago, he met Victoria at a high end charity gala held downtown.
Victoria was young, elegant, and always wore expensive silk robes and designer dresses.
She acted like a loving stepmother whenever Arthur was present in the house.
But the moment Arthur stepped out the front door, her friendly smile vanished completely.
Sarah noticed the quick cold shift in Victoria's subtle behavior toward young Leo.
Victoria treated the staff like dirt and complained constantly about the daily household bills.
She wanted full control over the massive family trust fund left behind for little Leo.
Arthur was scheduled to fly out to Chicago for a major corporate board meeting today.
Sarah watched him carry his dark leather briefcase toward the double entrance doors early morning.
Arthur: Take good care of Leo while I am away in meetings today, Sarah.
Sarah: I will protect him with my life, Mr. Sterling, as I always do.
Arthur smiled warmly and patted Sarah softly on her quiet shoulder before leaving.
The heavy front doors clicked shut with a sharp metallic sound echoing through the foyer.
Sarah stood near the marble stairs and felt a sudden strange chill run down her back.
She looked up at the upper stair landing where Victoria stood watching from the dark balcony shadow.
Victoria wore her dark red silk robe tied tightly around her narrow waistline today.
Her pale blue eyes looked sharp, cold, and calculated as she stared down at Sarah.
Victoria: Make sure the boy stays inside his bedroom upstairs all morning without bothering me.
Sarah: Yes, Mrs. Sterling, he is currently reading his morning books peacefully.
Victoria turned on her high heels without saying another single word and walked away silently.
Sarah wiped her cold hands on her uniform apron and breathed out a low heavy sigh.
She knew something strange was going on in the master study room lately.
For weeks now, Victoria had been meeting secretly with an unknown divorce lawyer at night.
Sarah had heard faint whispered phone arguments coming through the thick mahogany doors after midnight.
Victoria was planning something big while Arthur was busy traveling across the country for work.
Sarah decided to keep a very close watch on the upper floor hallways all afternoon long.