The morning sun cast long golden shadows across the polished hardwood floors of the Vance estate.
Elena adjusted her clean white apron and smoothed down her black maid uniform.
She had worked for the Vance family for nearly three years now.
Her main job was taking care of little Lily, the three-year-old daughter of Arthur Vance.
Arthur was a wealthy CEO who ran a successful regional investment firm.
He was a widowed father who adored his daughter more than anything else in the world.
Lily was a sweet little girl with sunny golden curls and bright blue eyes.
She looked just like her late mother, who had passed away two years ago.
Elena loved the little girl as if she were her own younger sister.
She spent her days reading storybooks and playing games with the cheerful toddler.
The house had been quiet and peaceful for a long time.
However, everything changed when Victoria Sterling entered their lives a few months ago.
Victoria was a socialite from a prominent family downtown.
She wore expensive dresses and heavy golden jewelry every single day.
She was eager to secure a marriage proposal from Arthur and control his family fortune.
Victoria never looked at the staff with any kindness or respect.
She treated Elena like an invisible ghost who only existed to clean up messes.
More importantly, Victoria barely tolerated young Lily when Arthur was not looking.
Elena noticed how Victoria's bright smile vanished whenever Arthur left the room.
She had seen Victoria push the child's toys away with her foot in annoyance.
Elena kept a close eye on the woman whenever she visited the estate.
She feared that Victoria was only interested in Arthur's vast inheritance and real estate holdings.
On this particular morning, Arthur had an early board meeting at his office downtown.
He kissed his little girl on the cheek before walking out the front doors.
Arthur: Be a good girl for Elena today, sweetheart.
Lily: Bye-bye, Daddy!
Victoria sat at the dining room table, sipping espresso from a china cup.
She glared at the little girl with cold, calculating eyes.
Victoria: Take her upstairs to her playroom, maid.
Elena: Right away, Miss Victoria.
Elena held Lily's tiny hand as they walked toward the grand staircase.
She could feel Victoria's intense gaze burning into her back as they climbed up.
Something about Victoria's calm attitude made Elena feel deeply uneasy inside.
She knew that Victoria was planning something to get total control over Arthur's life.
Elena decided to remain extra vigilant throughout the entire afternoon.