The next morning started early with the bright sun beaming down across the sprawling lawn.
Elena was polishing the silverware inside the quiet dining room near the tall glass windows.
She overheard loud voices echoing from the private study down the carpeted hallway.
Evelyn: You spend more time reviewing that trust fund than you spend with me!
Richard: My late wife made sure this inheritance was legally protected for Lily's future!
Elena kept her head down, but she could clearly hear every harsh word being spoken.
Evelyn: I am your wife now, and I deserve equal control over the family estate!
Richard: The estate documents were locked long ago, and they will remain completely unchanged!
The heavy wooden door slammed open, and Evelyn marched out into the wide hallway angrily.
She spotted Elena holding the silver tray and glided directly toward the innocent young maid.
Evelyn: Are you snooping on private family matters, you useless little maid?
Elena: No, Mrs. Sterling, I was just finishing my morning cleaning chores in here.
Evelyn reached out and intentionally knocked the silver tray right out of Elena's hands.
The metal plates hit the hardwood floor with a deafening crash that echoed around them.
Evelyn: Pick that up immediately, or I will fire you before noon today!
Elena dropped down to her knees and began picking up the fallen silverware quietly.
She refused to give the cruel woman the satisfaction of seeing her cry tears.
Richard walked out of the office and saw the mess spread across the clean floor.
Richard: Evelyn, stop yelling at the staff for no good reason at all.
Evelyn: She is clumsy and careless, Richard, and she does not respect this house!
Richard: She has been doing an excellent job since she arrived here yesterday morning.
Evelyn glared at her husband with intense anger burning deep inside her narrow eyes.
She turned around on her high heels and stormed up the wide marble staircase quickly.
Richard sighed deeply and helped Elena gather the remaining forks from the polished wood.
Richard: I am very sorry for her short temper, Elena, she is under much stress.
Elena: It is alright, sir, I only want to make sure Lily is safe.
Richard: You are a kind person, Elena, and Lily seems very comfortable in your care.
Later that afternoon, Elena walked baby Lily around the perimeter of the sunny garden.
She noticed Evelyn standing on the high second-floor balcony, watching them both intently.
Evelyn held a phone to her ear and talked in quick, harsh whispers to someone.
Evelyn: If the child is out of the picture, the entire inheritance comes to me.
Elena caught those cold words as the cool breeze blew toward the garden path.
A sudden chill ran down Elena's spine as she realized the true depth of danger.
She pulled the stroller close to her body, feeling a terrible sense of worry.
The cruel stepmother was planning something terrible to secure the entire massive family fortune.
Elena knew she had to stay extremely alert every single second she was on duty.