Elena wiped the gleaming banister while keeping her ears open to the quiet sounds upstairs in the hall.
She heard the soft click of the library door opening slowly on the upper level of the mansion.
Victoria stepped out into the hallway, holding a stack of crisp white legal papers in her hands.
She did not notice Elena standing quietly behind the large leafy indoor palm tree near the landing.
Victoria: If the child is removed from the trust, everything reverts directly to my private bank account.
Victoria spoke into a small silver earpiece while glancing nervously toward the sweeping open balcony.
Victoria: Arthur signed the initial clause, but he still needs to confirm the final signature today.
Elena held her breath and pressed her back firmly against the painted wall behind the green plant.
She realized Victoria was planning to alter the important inheritance documents before Arthur returned home.
The maid felt her heart beating fast against her ribs as the dangerous scheme became terrifyingly clear.
Elena: She wants to take away everything that belongs to little Lily and her father.
Victoria walked briskly toward the home office where Arthur kept his private iron wall safe hidden behind art.
She pulled a bronze key from her small leather purse and unlocked the solid mahogany desk drawer inside.
Elena crept quietly along the thick carpet to look through the tiny crack in the open doorway.
She watched as Victoria pulled out a yellow envelope containing Arthur's original legal will and estate plan.
Victoria: Once this original copy disappears, my new lawyer will present the updated trust agreement.
Victoria smiled coldly to herself as she held the delicate paper documents close to her silk gown.
Elena: I cannot let her destroy those important papers that protect Lily's entire financial future.
Elena deliberately let her cleaning cloth drop to the floor to create a soft distraction in the hallway.
Victoria gasped loudly and quickly shoved the yellow envelope back inside the mahogany drawer.
She stepped out of the office with a furious expression burning across her painted face.
Victoria: Who is lurking around in the shadows while I am busy doing important family business?
Elena: Forgive me, ma'am, I was only gathering the dusty rags from the upper landing floor.
Victoria stepped closer to Elena, narrowing her dark eyes with intense anger and sharp suspicion.
Victoria: You need to mind your own business and stay in the lower kitchen where you belong!
Elena: Yes, Mrs. Sterling, I will go down to prepare the lunch trays immediately.
Elena backed away slowly, keeping her eyes fixed on the cold woman standing near the high balcony rail.
She knew that Victoria was dangerous and would do anything to keep her greed secret from Arthur.