The morning sun poured through the massive stained glass windows of the Vance estate.
Elena adjusted her clean white apron as she swept the polished marble hallway.
She loved working for Mr. Richard Vance because he was always kind and soft-spoken.
He was a successful businessman who spent every free moment caring for his young daughter, Maya.
Ever since Maya's mother passed away two years ago, Elena had looked after the tiny girl like family.
Maya was a sweet three-year-old child with soft curls and a bright, innocent smile.
However, the warmth in the grand house had changed completely over the last six months.
Richard had recently married Chloe, a high-society woman who cared only about expensive designer clothes.
Chloe always wore bright silk dresses and walked through the mansion like she owned everything inside it.
To Richard's face, Chloe pretended to be a loving and attentive stepmother to little Maya.
She would hold Maya's hand gently whenever Richard was sitting in the living room reading his newspaper.
She spoke in a sweet, soft voice whenever her new husband was within earshot.
But the second Richard left for his corporate office in the city, Chloe's entire demeanor changed.
She ignored the little girl completely or snapped at her for making tiny noises while playing.
Elena noticed how Chloe looked at the child with cold, resentful eyes whenever they were alone.
Chloe saw little Maya as a threat to her complete control over the family fortune and estate.
If Maya remained the chief heir to the trust fund, Chloe would not inherit everything automatically.
Elena kept a close eye on the little girl whenever Chloe was wandering through the grand hallways.
She promised herself that she would never let any harm come to the innocent motherless child.
On this warm Tuesday morning, Richard was preparing to leave for an important business trip across town.
He kissed Maya gently on the cheek before handing his leather briefcase to the waiting butler.
Richard: Be a good girl for Chloe and Elena today, Maya.
Maya: Daddy come back fast?
Richard: I will be home before dinner, sweetheart.
Chloe stepped forward with a radiant smile and adjusted Richard's silk tie with delicate hands.
Chloe: Don't worry about a thing, darling.
Chloe: Maya and I are going to have a wonderful afternoon together.
Richard: Thank you, Chloe, for taking such great care of our family.
Richard stepped out the double front doors, leaving the grand mansion quiet and heavy with tension.
The moment the heavy wooden doors clicked shut, Chloe's smile vanished instantly into a bitter sneer.
She turned on her heel and glared at Elena, who was standing quietly near the grand staircase.
Chloe: Take the child upstairs to the playroom immediately.
Elena: Of course, ma'am.
Elena took Maya's small, warm hand and guided her gently up the curved marble steps.
She could feel Chloe's cold stare watching their every single move from the lower foyer below.
A strange, uneasy feeling settled deep inside Elena's chest as the grand clock chimed ten times.