The bright morning sun streamed through the massive glass windows of the grand entrance hall.
Sarah adjusted her plain grey uniform while holding her dusting cloth tightly in her right hand.
She loved working for the wealthy family because the small paycheck helped support her younger sister.
The mansion always felt quiet during the early hours before the rest of the household woke up.
Sarah wiped the shiny marble banister with great care to make sure no dust remained anywhere.
She heard sharp footsteps echoing along the upper balcony floor high above the main living room.
Evelyn stood near the white railing while holding a heavy crystal vase from the main nursery.
The wealthy woman looked down at the young maid with a dark expression on her pale face.
Sarah stopped her daily chores and looked up toward the upper floor in total confusion.
Sarah: Mrs. Sterling, do you need help with those heavy decorations from the upstairs hallway?
Evelyn: I do not need any assistance from a simple hired maid like you today.
Evelyn raised her arms higher over the polished wooden railing with a cold sneer on her lips.
She intentionally tilted the heavy crystal vase forward until it slipped completely out of her hands.
The fragile antique plummeted directly toward the hard marble floor near the front doorway below.
Sarah gasped in terror and sprinted forward across the slick floor with outstretched arms.
She dove across the shiny tiles just in time to catch the valuable object against her chest.
The impact knocked the breath out of her lungs as she slid across the hard floor.
Sarah stayed on her knees while holding the heavy crystal safely in her trembling hands.
Tears filled her eyes because she knew how much the master valued the vintage family heirloom.
She looked up at the balcony floor to see if the mistress was alright after the sudden slip.
Evelyn did not show any worry or relief as she stared down at the frightened maid below.
The wealthy woman immediately turned around and hurried toward the master bedroom to call her husband.
Sarah hugged the crystal object closely while trying to catch her breath on the cold floor.
She had no idea that this sudden moment was part of a dark plan to ruin her life.