Nora adjusted her gray maid uniform as she polished the silver tray in the grand kitchen.
She loved working at the Vance estate because little Leo always brought bright warmth into her long daily shifts.
The three year old boy had lost his mother two years ago during a tragic winter accident.
His father, Arthur Vance, was a wealthy CEO who ran a huge shipping corporation in the city.
Arthur cared deeply for his son, but his busy corporate work often kept him away for late meetings.
Nora had stepped up to become the primary caregiver for young Leo over the past two years.
She sang him simple nursery rhymes every single evening before he fell fast asleep in his cozy bed.
She held his soft hand when he took his very first uncertain steps across the polished hard floors.
To Nora, the sweet toddler was not just the boss's child, but someone she loved like family.
Everything in the grand mansion was peaceful until Victoria stepped into Arthur's life six long months ago.
Victoria was a ambitious socialite who always wore expensive custom dresses and high heels everywhere she walked.
She claimed to adore Arthur, but Nora quickly noticed how cold she behaved toward little Leo.
Whenever Arthur left the room, Victoria completely ignored the toddler or gave him sharp, icy looks.
She treated the mansion staff like disposable servants who were far beneath her social standing.
Nora kept her head down and quietly did her job to protect her steady income and position.
She needed this job to pay off her mother's rising medical expenses at the local hospital.
One sunny Tuesday morning, Arthur announced his formal engagement to Victoria over breakfast in the dining room.
Arthur: Nora, please bring out the champagne so we can celebrate this wonderful new chapter.
Nora: Congratulations to you both, sir.
Victoria smiled brightly at Arthur, but her dark eyes glinted with cold ambition when he looked away.
Victoria: We are going to change so many things around this old house very soon, darling.
Arthur: As long as Leo is happy, that is all that matters to me.
Leo sat in his wooden high chair, silently clutching his soft plush bear close to his chest.
Nora felt a sudden cold chill run down her spine as she watched Victoria glare at the boy.
She knew in her heart that hard trouble was coming to the Vance mansion very soon.