The morning sun beamed through the tall glass windows of the grand estate.
Elena polished the shiny wooden railings along the main stairwell carefully.
She had worked for the rich family for nearly six long years without complaint.
Every room required constant care and attention to satisfy the strict house rules.
The family patriarch expected complete perfection from every member of his staff.
Elena took great pride in keeping the vast residence spotless and calm.
She wiped down the marble floors until they reflected the bright morning light.
Her daily routine always started before the sun fully rose over the garden trees.
She loved the peaceful hours before the loud household began to wake up.
Soft music played from her small pocket radio as she worked through the halls.
Elena: Today will be another productive day in this beautiful home.
She adjusted her crisp white apron and moved toward the sweeping grand staircase.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed down from the carpeted second-floor corridor.
Elena paused her dusting and looked up toward the bright balcony level above.
The elderly grandmother stepped slowly into view near the white stone pillars.
Evelyn Vance always watched the domestic staff with cold and suspicious eyes.
She rarely spoke kind words to anyone who worked inside the large mansion.
Elena offered a warm and polite smile to the stern old woman above.
Elena: Good morning Mrs. Vance, can I fetch your warm morning tea now?
Evelyn: Do not concern yourself with my tea right now girl.
The old woman adjusted her expensive silk shawl around her frail shoulders.
She held a heavy heirloom blanket wrapped around a delicate vintage collector porcelain doll.
The priceless family antique had belonged to the family for three full generations.
Richard Vance valued that fragile blue blanket bundle more than most possessions inside.
Elena noticed how close the grandmother stood to the open edge above.
She felt a sudden knot of worry form deep inside her chest.
Elena: Please step back from the marble ledge Mrs. Vance, it is dangerous.
Evelyn: I know exactly what I am doing in my own home.
The older woman smirked with a strange and cold look across her face.
She leaned far over the white railing with the blue bundle in hand.
Elena dropped her yellow cleaning cloth on the polished checkered floor immediately.
She sprinted quickly across the vast foyer to get directly under the ledge.
Her heart hammered fast against her ribs as she watched the sudden movement.
The grandmother deliberately opened her hands and released the heavy wrapped object.
It plunged straight down through the open air toward the hard stone below.
Elena slid across the smooth floor on her knees with outstretched hands.
She caught the heavy bundle safely right before it struck the solid marble.
The force of the catch knocked the breath straight out of her lungs.
She cradled the blue blanket safely against her chest while gasping for air.
Elena: I caught it, thank goodness it is completely safe!