The vast estate of the Sterling family stood on top of a hill like a cold stone fortress.
Inside the grand foyer, expensive marble floors reflected the dim light of a giant crystal chandelier.
Elena adjusted her plain gray maid uniform while holding a heavy feather duster tightly in her hand.
She had worked for the Sterling family for nearly three years without ever causing a single problem.
The house was always quiet, but it was not the kind of quiet that brought peace.
It was a heavy, nervous silence that made everyone walk on eggshells from morning until night.
The silence had grown much worse ever since Richard Sterling married his second wife, Victoria.
Victoria was a young woman who cared only about expensive silk gowns, gold jewelry, and status.
She hated the grand house, but most of all, she hated little seven-year-old Leo.
Leo was the only son of Richard and his late wife, Sarah, who had passed away years ago.
Sarah had left a massive trust fund and a life insurance policy specifically reserved for little Leo.
The entire family inheritance was legally protected until the young boy reached his eighteenth birthday.
Victoria knew that if Leo were out of the picture, the entire estate would belong to her.
Elena dusted the tall wooden banister near the grand staircase while keeping a watchful eye on Leo.
The little boy was sitting on the polished floor, playing quietly with a small red toy car.
He was a gentle child who spent most of his days staying out of everyone's way.
His father, Richard, was the chief executive officer of a huge investment firm in the city.
Richard spent long hours in his corporate boardroom and rarely came home before late at night.
He believed that Victoria was a loving stepmother who took wonderful care of his only son.
Elena knew the truth because she saw how Victoria treated the boy whenever Richard was away.
Victoria would whisper mean words to Leo and withhold his favorite toys for no real reason.
She made sure the young child felt completely alone in his own massive family home.
Elena tried her best to protect the boy by bringing him warm milk and listening to his stories.
She loved Leo as if he were her own younger brother, despite being just a quiet employee.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed down the long hallway near the top of the grand staircase.
Victoria walked into view wearing a bright yellow designer gown that swept across the polished floor.
Her face carried a cold, fake smile as she stared down at the little boy below.
"Why are you cluttering up my hallway with those cheap toys?" Victoria asked with a sharp sneer.
Leo quickly picked up his small toy car and held it close against his chest.
"I was just playing quietly, Victoria," Leo said in a tiny, trembling voice.
Elena immediately stepped forward from the corner of the room, feeling a sudden wave of panic.
She had seen that dark look on Victoria's face many times before during her long shifts.
"I will clean up the toys right away, ma'am," Elena said, trying to keep her voice calm.
Victoria ignored the maid completely and took three slow, deliberate steps down the top stairs.
"Accidents happen so easily in a house this huge," Victoria whispered with a cold, sarcastic laugh.