The grand estate of Arthur Vance stood high on the hilltop overlooking the bustling city below.
Inside the marble halls, five-year-old Leo sat alone on a plush velvet sofa in the hallway.
He gripped a small silver pocket watch that had belonged to his late mother.
The quiet house always felt far too big for a boy so small and lonely.
His father was Arthur Vance, a self-made billionaire who built an empire from absolute nothing.
Arthur loved his son deeply, but his massive company kept him busy with constant travel.
Six months ago, Arthur had married Victoria, a glamorous socialite known for her expensive emerald dresses.
To the public press, Victoria seemed like a loving and devoted new mother to little Leo.
Behind closed doors, her warm smile vanished the moment Arthur left for his business trips.
She viewed the young boy as nothing more than an obstacle to her husband's vast fortune.
On this clear morning, Sarah was busy wiping down the pristine glass tables in the lower lobby.
Sarah worked hard as a catering waitress, serving meals during high-profile family dinners at the estate.
She was a kind woman with a strong heart who noticed everything that happened around her.
Sarah had lost her own parents young, so she felt deeply protective of little Leo.
She watched from afar as Victoria strutted down the hall, her silk emerald dress rustling loudly.
Victoria carried a heavy leather briefcase and glared sharply down at the small child on the couch.
Victoria: Stop staring at that silly watch, boy.
Leo: My mom gave this to me before she went to heaven.
Victoria: Your mother is gone, and this house belongs to me now.
Leo shrank back into the soft cushions, holding the silver watch close to his chest.
Sarah squeezed her cleaning cloth tightly as her stomach twisted with deep anger.
She had witnessed Victoria's cold cruelties toward the boy for several weeks already.
Victoria often snatched his toys away and locked him inside his bedroom during long afternoons.
She made sure to act sweet and gentle whenever Arthur was home to see her.
Sarah knew she was just a hired staff member, but she could not stand the cruelty.
She moved closer to the bottom of the grand staircase, pretending to polish the railing.
Victoria grabbed Leo roughly by his small wrist and pulled him up from the sofa.
Victoria: You are coming with me right now.
Leo: You are hurting my arm, please let me go!
Victoria: Shut your mouth before I make you regret it!
Sarah took a fast step forward, her heart pounding frantically against her ribs.
She watched Victoria drag the terrified child toward the top of the grand white staircase.
The stepmother's eyes were cold and filled with a strange, frantic desperation.
Sarah realized that something far more dangerous was happening on this quiet morning.