Elena wiped down the polished oak banister while bright morning sun flooded the grand estate foyer.
She had served the Montgomery family for over five whole years with total loyalty and care.
Her main duty was looking after young baby Clara after her birth mother passed away suddenly.
The mansion had been quiet until Arthur married his ambitious new wife named Victoria two months ago.
Victoria hated the small child because Clara held the primary rights to the family inheritance fund.
Every afternoon Victoria found silly reasons to yell at the hardworking house staff for minor things.
Elena always stood between the mean stepmother and the sweet helpless baby to protect her daily.
Victoria: Why is this child crying in the living room while I host guests?
Elena: She is just hungry and needs her afternoon warm milk right now ma'am.
Victoria: Do not use that disrespectful tone with me inside my own expensive house!
Elena held her tongue because she needed this job to pay her sick mother's bills.
She carried little Clara up the grand spiral staircase to the safety of the sunlit nursery.
The small girl rested her soft head on Elena's shoulder and let out a gentle sigh.
Elena: Nobody will ever hurt you while I am working here sweet sweet child.
Later that evening Arthur returned home from his corporate office downtown looking very tired and stressed.
He was a powerful billionaire CEO who ran a global shipping firm across three major oceans.
Yet his heart remained heavy with grief over his late wife while managing his complex business.
Victoria greeted him at the heavy oak doors with a fake warm smile and soft words.
Victoria: Darling your tired shoulders need a long vacation away from all this stressful work.
Arthur: I must stay focused because Clara's future trust fund needs my full personal signoff.
Victoria narrowed her eyes in hidden jealousy when Arthur mentioned his daughter's growing financial trust.
She wanted her own distant relatives to inherit the massive residential estate and corporate stock holdings.
Elena watched the cold exchange carefully from the shadows of the long carpeted second floor hallway.
She knew Victoria was plotting something terrible to push Clara out of the primary family will.
The night settled softly over the huge estate while cold rain tapped against the tall windows.
Elena rocked Clara gently until the sweet baby drifted off into a calm deep sleep.
She promised herself that no greedy scheme would ever harm this innocent motherless child tonight.