The morning sun poured through the massive floor-to-ceiling glass windows of the Whitman estate.
Golden light danced across the polished white marble floors inside the central front grand foyer.
Sarah smoothed down her neat gray housekeeping uniform as she polished the dark oak side tables.
She had worked for the Whitman family for nearly seven years with complete devotion and loyalty.
After the tragic passing of the first Mrs. Whitman, Sarah had raised young six-year-old Leo like her own son.
She knew every room, every hallway, and every creak of the giant curved staircases in the house.
Sarah: Good morning, little guy, are you ready for your breakfast now?
Leo: Good morning, Sarah, can we play in the garden later today?
Sarah: We certainly can as soon as your private reading tutor finishes today's lesson.
Leo smiled brightly while hugging his favorite worn blue teddy bear tightly against his small chest.
The peaceful atmosphere in the grand hallway changed instantly when sharp footsteps echoed from the upper landing.
Elena walked out of the master suite wearing a brilliant royal sapphire-blue diamond evening dress.
She had moved into the Whitman mansion three months ago after becoming engaged to Arthur Whitman.
Elena: Why is this child wandering around the main hallway while I am trying to rest?
Sarah: Leo is just heading down to the dining room for his morning breakfast, ma'am.
Elena: A mansion of this stature requires strict order and complete silence during early morning hours.
Sarah lowered her head respectfully while quietly guiding young Leo toward the spacious kitchen doors.
She had noticed a harsh coldness in Elena's eyes ever since the engagement was officially announced.
Arthur Whitman was a famous high-powered American real estate tycoon worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
His busy schedule often kept him away in emergency corporate boardrooms across the crowded city.
Elena seemed eager to clear out anyone who stood between her and total control of the estate.
Leo: Sarah, why does the new lady always look at me so angrily when Daddy leaves?
Sarah: Do not worry about a thing, sweetheart, because I am always right here by your side.
Sarah placed a fresh plate of warm pancakes and fresh strawberries in front of the young boy.
She knew deep down inside her heart that something dangerous was quietly brewing inside the grand mansion.