Elena wiped the polished mahogany table with a clean white cloth.
She had worked for the Vance family for nearly five years.
The huge mansion was always cold despite the grand fireplace.
Ethan Vance was a young billionaire who inherited the family business.
He lost his wife a few months after their son Noah was born.
Ethan was a devoted father who loved little Noah above everything else.
His stepmother Victoria moved into the mansion shortly after his wife passed away.
Victoria was a bitter woman who wore expensive emerald dresses everyday.
She hated that baby Noah inherited the vast family fortune and estate.
If anything happened to Noah, the entire inheritance would go to Victoria.
Elena saw the evil glare in Victoria's eyes whenever she looked at Noah.
The maid stayed close to the nursery whenever Ethan was at the office.
She wanted to ensure the sweet baby boy stayed safe from harm.
It was a bright afternoon when Ethan left for an urgent meeting downtown.
Victoria watched his black luxury car drive out of the long gated driveway.
A wicked smile appeared on her pale face as the gates closed slowly.
Elena walked toward the kitchen to prepare the baby's warm afternoon bottle.
She heard Victoria calling out to the house butler in a sharp voice.
Victoria asked for a large silver bowl filled completely with crushed ice.
Elena felt a sudden rush of worry deep inside her chest.
She placed the bottle down and quietly followed Victoria across the grand hallway.
Victoria carried the ice bowl toward the living room where Noah was resting.
The baby was sitting peacefully on a soft white sofa under a blanket.
Elena hid behind a giant marble pillar to observe what was happening.
Victoria raised the silver bowl high into the air above the child.
Her face looked twisted with deep hatred as she tilted the ice water.
The cold liquid splashed directly over the tiny crying baby boy.
Noah screamed in utter shock as the ice water soaked his thin clothes.
Elena felt her heart stop at the horrifying sight before her eyes.
She could not stand by and let the evil stepmother abuse the baby.