The morning sun poured through the high arched windows of the grand mansion, lighting up the polished white marble floors.
Inside the vast entryway, a giant American flag hung proudly above the sweeping curved staircase.
Elena stood quietly near the marble pillars wearing her simple blue waitress uniform.
She had worked for the wealthy estate owner, Richard Vance, for over two years.
Richard was a self-made businessman who built a vast empire through hard work and determination.
However, his home life had turned deeply troubled after he married his second wife, Victoria.
Victoria was a fair-skinned woman who loved luxury cars, designer gowns, and grand social parties.
She never cared for Richard's newborn son, who was wrapped safely in a soft light blue blanket.
Elena spent most of her daily shifts caring for the tiny baby in the nursery upstairs.
She loved the little boy as if he were her own family member.
On this warm afternoon, Richard was away at his downtown corporate office for an important board meeting.
Victoria walked down the hallway wearing a flowing green silk gown that rustled against the floor.
Her dark eyes flashed with deep irritation as she looked toward the quiet nursery room.
She walked briskly down the upper hallway and shoved open the wooden nursery door.
Elena was gently rocking the sleeping infant near the bright window pane.
Victoria: Hand that baby over to me right now!
Elena looked up in surprise and pulled the baby closer to her chest.
Elena: Mrs. Vance, he is sleeping so peacefully right now.
Victoria: I did not ask for your opinion on his sleep!
Victoria snatched the heavy silk blanket bundle roughly from the crib table.
Elena: Please be careful with his things!
Victoria: You do not tell me what to do in my home!
Victoria marched out of the nursery toward the grand staircase overlooking the main hall.
Elena followed her closely, her heart pounding with sudden terror for the child.
Victoria stopped right at the very top step of the polished wooden stairs.
She looked down at the hard marble floor below with a cold glance.
Victoria: Take this child and leave this house forever!
Elena: Please, step back from the edge of the stairs!
Victoria raised her voice in anger, holding the wrapped carrier near the steep railing.
Elena could see that Victoria was completely out of control with rage.
The selfish woman wanted to eliminate any reminder of Richard's previous marriage.
She wanted the entire family trust fund and vast inheritance for herself.
Victoria: I will not let this baby take my fortune!
Elena: You are acting completely insane right now!
Victoria jerked her hands forward near the top edge of the staircase.
The loose blanket bundle slipped straight over the wooden railing into open air.
Elena gasped in horror as the baby's carrier tipped toward the steep drop.