The marble hallway of the Sterling estate was always cold, no matter how bright the sun shone outside.
Little Leo crawled across the smooth floor, his tiny hands reaching for anything that offered comfort.
He was just a year old and could not understand why the house felt so scary when his father was away.
Victoria walked right behind him, her heavy blue silk dress rustling with every sharp step she took.
She held the baby's small wrist, pulling him along faster than his little legs could ever keep up.
Leo began to cry, his small tears falling onto the polished floor.
In the quiet corners of the huge house, the sound of his crying was the only thing that echoed.
From around the corner, Elena heard the faint cries and stopped wiping down the wood panels.
Elena had worked as a maid for the Sterling family for over three long years.
She loved the little boy as if he were her own son.
Her heart beat fast as she ran toward the hallway, her uniform rustling against her knees.
She saw Victoria pulling the crying boy across the room with a cold expression on her face.
Elena could not just stand there and watch the small child suffer anymore.
She rushed forward, her voice trembling as she called out to the wealthy woman.
Elena: Please stop, leave the baby alone!
Victoria turned around slowly, her sharp eyes locking onto the young maid with pure hatred.
She did not like being questioned by someone she thought was beneath her.
Victoria: How dare you speak to me like that!
Before Elena could explain, Victoria stepped up and swung her hand hard against Elena's cheek.
The sharp sound of the hit rang out through the grand empty hallway.
Elena stumbled backward, grabbing her stinging face as the pain spread across her skin.
She fell down onto the hard floor, right next to where little Leo was still sobbing.
Victoria stood over them both, holding her head high and showing no regret at all.
She believed her position as Arthur Sterling's wife gave her total power over everyone inside those walls.
She believed no one would ever dare to stand up to her authority.
Elena looked up from the floor, tears blurring her vision as she pulled Leo closer to her chest.
She knew that keeping quiet would only make things worse for the innocent little boy.
The family trust fund and the massive inheritance were all tied to Leo's future.
Victoria hated that the child held the real power over the estate.
Elena wiped the blood from her lip, her heart racing as she made a silent promise to protect him.