The large suburban estate of the Sterling family was usually quiet during the early morning hours.
Grant Sterling had worked hard for over a decade to build his successful financial management business.
After his late wife passed away, he focused entirely on raising his eight-year-old daughter, Lily.
Two years ago, Grant married Victoria, a beautiful former fashion model who claimed to love his family.
Victoria always presented herself as a warm and caring stepmother whenever Grant was standing in the room.
She bought expensive clothes for Lily and hosted lavish birthday parties for the young girl every year.
However, behind closed doors, Victoria viewed the child as a obstacle to securing her husband's vast wealth.
Grant had recently drafted a brand new life insurance policy and a strict family trust fund agreement.
The legal documents stated that his entire estate would belong to Lily if anything ever happened to him.
Victoria was furious when she discovered that she was not named as the primary beneficiary of the money.
She began planning a way to eliminate the child and blame the tragedy on someone else entirely.
Elena had worked as the house maid for five years and knew the family dynamic very well.
She was a kind woman who noticed how Lily grew quiet whenever Victoria entered a room.
Elena had seen small signs of emotional abuse that Grant was always too busy to notice himself.
She promised herself that she would keep a close eye on the innocent young girl every day.
One morning, Grant left early for a high-stakes corporate board meeting in the downtown business district.
Victoria waited until his luxury car pulled out of the long driveway before heading toward the kitchen.
She held a small candle lighter hidden deep inside the pocket of her expensive silk morning robe.
Elena was quietly polishing the silver cutlery in the adjacent dining pantry just around the corner.
She overheard Victoria speaking in a cold and mean tone to young Lily in the kitchen.
Elena set her polishing cloth down on the wooden table and took a step toward the doorway.