The morning sun poured through the massive crystal windows of the Sterling family mansion.
Golden light danced across the polished marble floors of the grand entrance hall.
Seven-year-old Leo sat on the plush living room rug, quietly playing with his wooden toy train.
His soft blue sweater looked a little too big on his small shoulders.
Across the hall, the heavy wooden front doors creaked open as the housekeeper walked inside.
Elena had worked for the Sterling family for nearly eight years now.
She carried a stack of freshly folded linens toward the main hallway closet.
Her sharp eyes carefully watched the quiet corners of the huge house.
She always took great care of young Leo ever since his mother passed away years ago.
The quiet morning air was suddenly broken by the sharp sound of high heels echoing loudly.
Victoria walked down the wide hallway wearing a bright maroon designer dress.
Her high heels clicked against the white marble floor with long, aggressive steps.
She held a thick leather envelope tightly against her side.
Her eyes scanned the grand foyer until they landed directly on the small boy.
Leo looked up from his toys and shrank back slightly against the sofa.
He knew that look on his stepmother's face very well.
Victoria had married Arthur Sterling six months ago in a quick private ceremony.
Since that day, the peaceful mansion had grown colder by the hour.
Victoria: Why are you still playing with those silly toys in the main hallway?
Leo: I was just waiting for my dad to finish his morning calls.
Victoria: Your father is busy dealing with actual important business matters right now.
Leo: He told me we were going to the park together at ten o'clock.
Victoria: Well, plans change, and you need to go up to your bedroom right now.
Elena paused near the closet and lowered her stack of white towels.
She felt a familiar tightening in her chest as she stepped closer to the hallway.
She knew Victoria often tried to keep Leo away from his father whenever important papers arrived.
Elena smoothed her blue apron and stood straight near the bottom of the grand staircase.
Elena: Is everything alright over here, Mrs. Sterling?
Victoria: Mind your own duties, Elena, and go back to the kitchen area.
Elena: I am just making sure Master Leo has everything he needs before his outing.
Victoria: He does not need anything from you, so carry on with your chores.
Leo stood up slowly and held his small wooden engine tightly in his right hand.
He stepped toward the grand staircase, wanting to avoid another loud argument.
Victoria stepped forward quickly and grabbed the boy's red backpack off the side table.
Her sudden movement startled the little boy, causing him to take a quick step back.
His foot caught the edge of the smooth marble step at the base of the stairs.
Leo lost his balance and stumbled backward onto the lower steps with a loud gasp.
The wooden train clattered down the hard stairs and bounced across the floor.
Elena gasped in terror and sprinted across the marble floor with lightning speed.
She reached out her arms just in time to catch Leo before he slid any further.
She pulled the trembling child securely into her tight embrace right at the landing.
Elena: I have got you, sweetheart, you are safe now!
Victoria: Get your hands away from him right now, Elena!
Elena: You pushed him toward the stairs with your aggressive rushing!
Victoria: Do not you dare accuse me of such a foul thing in my own house!
The massive front doors suddenly burst open as Arthur Sterling stepped inside the mansion.
He wore a tailored navy suit and carried a dark leather briefcase in his right hand.
His tired eyes widened instantly as he saw the chaotic scene in the middle of the foyer.
Arthur: What on earth is going on in my house right now?!