The morning sun cut through the tall glass windows of the grand lakeside estate.
Mark sat at the head of the dark mahogany dining table checking his work emails.
His young son Leo was softly humming while eating breakfast near his favorite window.
Elena came out of the kitchen with a fresh pot of coffee for the table.
She had worked as the family nanny and housekeeper for over five years now.
She knew every corner of this mansion and cared deeply for little Leo.
The heavy front doors echoed loudly through the long hallway without any warning.
Victoria swept into the main foyer wearing an expensive green silk designer dress.
She was Mark's estranged stepmother who always demanded money whenever she appeared.
Her high heels clicked loudly against the polished hardwood floors of the bright corridor.
Mark set his coffee cup down with a sharp clink against the china saucer.
He looked toward the hallway with deep frustration clearly written on his face.
"I told you never to come back here without calling first," Mark said coldly.
Victoria smiled showing bright white teeth as she put down her expensive leather purse.
"I am still the executor of your late father's estate," Victoria answered smoothly.
Elena stepped quietly in front of little Leo near the dining room doorway.
She could feel the cold tension filling up the warm room instantly.
Victoria pulled a thick stack of legal papers right out of her designer bag.
"Your father wanted me to oversee all the trust funds," Victoria declared boldly.
Mark stood up from the wooden chair with his hands resting on the table.
"My father left this entire home and estate directly to my son Leo," Mark replied.
Victoria took two sharp steps closer into the bright and spacious entryway.
"We will let the high court judge decide that next week," Victoria spat back.
Leo hid behind Elena's warm maroon cardigan while clutching her soft sleeve tightly.
Elena looked directly at Victoria without showing a single trace of fear.
"You need to leave this house right now," Elena said in a steady voice.
Victoria laughed out loud and glared right into the brave nanny's calm eyes.
"You are just paid help here, so stay out of family business," Victoria sneered.
Mark walked over and stood firmly right between Victoria and his young son.
"If you do not leave immediately, I will call the sheriff," Mark warned her.
Victoria turned on her heel with a sharp twist of her green dress.
"This whole mansion will be mine before the end of the month," Victoria promised.