The grand estate stood quietly on top of the green hill overlooking the long coastal valley.
Inside the marble foyer, light filtered down through the clear glass windows high above the floor.
Elena adjusted her clean maid apron while holding her wooden cleaning supply crate tightly in her right hand.
She had worked for the Sterling family for nearly three full years without ever making a single complaint.
Her soft soft footsteps made almost no sound on the white polished marble tiles as she walked toward the stairs.
Elena: Little Lily needs her warm morning milk before her private tutor arrives today.
She smiled to herself as she thought of the cheerful seven-year-old child who brightened the dark house.
The mansion was usually cold and quiet because Arthur Sterling spent long hours working in his downtown office.
Arthur was a wealthy businessman who managed a massive real estate investment firm in the city center.
Ever since his first wife passed away years ago, he had focused entirely on expanding his family fortune.
However six months ago, Arthur had married Victoria, a glamorous woman who loved expensive shopping trips.
Victoria always wore silk dresses and walked around the mansion with a stern and cold expression on her face.
Victoria: Make sure there is not a single speck of dust on the bronze rail today, Elena.
Elena turned quickly and bowed her head respectfully toward the top of the grand sweeping staircase.
Elena: Of course, Mrs. Sterling, I will scrub every wooden step again before noon.
Victoria sneered down at the quiet maid without offering even a small polite smile in return.
She adjusted her heavy diamond necklace that sparkled brightly under the large crystal chandelier above.
Victoria: Arthur will be returning home early from his board meeting to review our estate accounts.
Elena: I will ensure the study is completely prepared for his arrival, ma'am.
Victoria turned her back and walked gracefully back toward the master bedroom at the end of the hall.
Elena breathed a quiet sigh of relief once the heavy oak door clicked shut in the distance.
She knew that Victoria did not truly care for little Lily or the historic family estate at all.
Multiple times in recent weeks, Elena had overheard Victoria whispering late at night on her mobile phone.
She was speaking secretly with her legal advisor about Arthur's massive life insurance policy and family trust fund.
Elena: I must keep my eyes open and stay near Lily whenever Arthur is away from home.
The little girl was currently sitting peacefully in the sunlit playroom reading a large colorful picture book.
Elena set her bucket down and carefully started cleaning the delicate carved banisters along the dark wooden stairs.
She knew her duty was to work hard and maintain peace inside the giant, lonely house every day.
Yet a dark feeling warned her that trouble was growing closer with every passing minute this morning.