The morning light streamed through the stained glass windows of the grand Vance estate.
Elena adjusted her clean white apron as she polished the dark mahogany railing.
She had worked for the wealthy family for nearly three full years now.
Her main job was taking care of young seven year old Toby Vance.
Toby was a sweet child who lost his mother a few years ago.
His father, Richard Vance, was a busy CEO who traveled constantly for business.
Elena: Good morning, little guy, are you ready for your breakfast?
Toby: Good morning, Elena, can we make blueberry pancakes today?
Elena: We can certainly make pancakes right after you put on your shoes.
Toby smiled brightly and ran back toward his bedroom on the upper floor.
Elena watched him walk away with a warm feeling in her tired heart.
She knew that life in this mansion was becoming more tense every day.
The source of all that tension was Richard's new wife, Victoria.
Victoria married Richard six months ago after a brief and stormy romance.
She was obsessed with high status, expensive jewels, and total control.
More than anything else, Victoria hated the late mother's trust fund.
That multi-million dollar estate was legally set aside for young Toby.
If Toby remained the sole heir, Victoria would get almost nothing later.
Elena had caught Victoria looking at Toby with cold, calculating eyes before.
She constantly complained about the child's presence in the huge mansion.
Victoria: Why is that child always running around making so much noise?
Elena: He is just playing quietly in his room, Mrs. Vance.
Victoria: Mind your own business and stick to your cleaning duties, maid.
Elena swallowed her pride and turned back to her morning cleaning tasks.
She knew she had to keep a very close eye on Victoria.
Something dangerous was brewing inside the mind of the ambitious stepmother.
Elena carried her polishing cloth up the curved marble staircase with care.
She heard hushed voices coming from the formal study nearby.
Victoria was on the phone talking softly to a divorce lawyer.
Victoria: If the boy is out of the picture, the custody changes completely.
Elena froze on the steps as her blood ran completely cold.
She held her breath and listened to every single whispered word.
Victoria: I need that inheritance money moved into my private account today.
Elena backed away slowly so nobody would notice her standing there.
She realized then that Toby was in very real danger right now.
She promised herself that she would protect the boy no matter what.