This is when being rich and not taking advantage of a butler or maid bites one n the ass.
It seems like she may have been a total control freak, and that's why there's no maid or consistent communication with anybody outside the home. Anybody else coming into the house or viewing their situation would put her under scrutiny. It reminds me somewhat of that housekeeper situation that Richard Simmons had going on.Let's don't get carried away. Many reasons children may not be in contact with parents other than they are terrible.
Some parents and step parents are terrible as well.