Elena moved quietly along the soft carpeted corridor while keeping behind the tall marble statues.
She could hear Victoria whispering rapidly into her modern sleek phone near the quiet office.
Victoria: The legal estate documents are going to sign over everything to the child tomorrow!
The voice on the phone was faint, but Victoria's sharp tone carried through the quiet corridor.
Victoria: If Arthur signs that trust fund paperwork, my control over the estate disappears completely!
Elena held her breath as she pulled herself closer against the tall wooden corner trim.
Her heart pounded heavily against her chest as she absorbed the weight of those words.
Victoria walked back toward the nursery holding the crying baby with an increasingly agitated gesture.
Victoria: This child is going to ruin every single plan I made for my future!
Elena felt a surge of deep panic wash over her peaceful and usually calm mind.
She realized that Victoria saw the innocent child only as a threat to her wealth.
The baby continued to cry loudly, sensing the extreme distress radiating from the stepmother.
Victoria reached the grand upper landing overlooking the shiny marble foyer far down below.
She raised her arms abruptly while holding the baby away from her own body dress.
Victoria: This child is ruined!
Elena gasped in horror when she saw Victoria step aggressively near the top stairs edge.
She knew she could not stand by and allow any harm to touch the boy.
Without thinking twice about her job safety, Elena burst out into the grand foyer area.
Her shoes squeaked against the smooth marble floor as she sprinted toward the main staircase.
Elena: Stop right there, ma'am!
Victoria startled at the sudden loud shout and spun around quickly near the landing railings.
Elena scrambled up the first few steps with incredible speed, determined to protect little Leo.
Elena: Give him back to me right now!
Victoria's eyes burned with sudden fury as she clutched the baby uncomfortably close again.
Victoria: Step back this instant, you simple maid!
Elena reached the top landing and placed herself directly between Victoria and the open staircase.
She reached her arms out carefully toward the terrified baby who reached out for her.
Elena: You are hurting him, and I will not let you take another step!