One rainy Tuesday morning, Julian announced that he had to leave for an urgent city meeting.
He kissed his little boy on the forehead and adjusted his crisp black business suit.
Julian: Please make sure Leo takes his morning nap on time today, Vanessa.
Vanessa: Of course, my darling love, I will care for him like my own.
Julian: Thank you for being such a wonderful stepmother to my boy.
Vanessa put on a soft smile and kissed Julian gently on his cheek.
As soon as Julian walked out the front doors, her sweet smile disappeared instantly.
She turned toward the sweeping staircase and glared at Elena standing in the grand foyer.
Vanessa: Go down to the basement kitchen and prepare a hot tea for me right now.
Elena: I need to stay near master Leo's nursery room while he sleeps.
Vanessa: Are you refusing a direct order from the mistress of this estate?
Elena: No, ma'am, I will make your tea immediately.
Elena walked toward the basement stairs, but she did not actually go down to the kitchen.
She hid behind the heavy velvet curtains near the edge of the grand foyer floor.
She watched as Vanessa walked upstairs wearing a sparkling golden one-shoulder dress.
Vanessa walked into the quiet nursery and picked up the swaddled baby boy in her arms.
She walked out onto the second-floor indoor balcony that looked down over the marble entrance.
The balcony had an ornate wrought-iron railing that reached up to a adult person's waist.
Vanessa held the sweet sleeping baby right over the open drop above the hard floor.
Elena's heart stopped in pure terror as she watched from her hidden spot below.
She realized that Vanessa was planning to stage a terrible fall to get rid of the heir.
Vanessa intended to claim that Elena had dropped the baby while cleaning the top stairs.
The cruel stepmother raised her phone to record a quick fake video of the incident.
Vanessa: This little mistake will fix my financial future forever!
Elena did not hesitate for a single second to think about her own personal safety.
She sprinted across the polished marble floor as fast as her legs could carry her.
Her soft rubber shoes made sharp noises on the cold reflective surface of the room.
Vanessa heard the sudden noise and turned her head in deep surprise and annoyance.
Vanessa: What are you doing up here, you foolish servant girl?
Elena: Step away from that high railing right now!
Vanessa: Mind your own business before I destroy your poor life!
Elena: Put that child down safely or I will scream for help!
Vanessa leaned over the railing and loosened her tight grip on the swaddled blanket.
The tiny baby boy woke up and started to cry out in deep panic.
Elena rushed up the last three steps of the grand stairs with total determination.