The bright summer sun shone warmly through the large glass windows of the grand estate.
Julia adjusted her white blazer suit and looked out at the rolling green lawn.
Her eleven year old son Leo was sitting quietly on the velvet couch near the entrance.
He was holding his small digital camera while watching the caterers set up silver trays.
The family business had experienced incredible success over the last ten years in town.
David Miller had worked hard to build a solid name as a top real estate developer.
His wife Julia had managed their household and supported his career every step of the way.
They were preparing to host a major charity event for local community leaders that afternoon.
Dozens of influential guests were expected to arrive in expensive luxury cars within the hour.
Julia smiled gently at her son while walking across the polished marble floor of the foyer.
Julia: Are you ready for the big afternoon, sweetie?
Leo: Yes mom, I charge my camera battery so I can take photos.
Julia: You always take the best pictures of our home and family.
Leo smiled brightly and zipped up his camera bag carefully.
However, something had felt slightly strange inside the house over the past few months.
David was staying late at his downtown office building almost every night of the week.
He often left his main phone face down on the kitchen counter during breakfast time.
Julia had noticed the sudden change in his daily schedule but remained quiet and patient.
She trusted her husband completely and believed his long hours were due to work stress.
The family had built a wonderful life together including a high trust fund for Leo.
David stepped out of the private master bedroom wearing his sharp dark navy suit.
He adjusted his silk tie in front of the tall mirror hanging near the staircase.
David: Everything looks perfect down here, Julia.
Julia: I hope the guests enjoy the catering choices we picked last week.
David: They will certainly love the setting and the hospitality.
David looked down at his wristwatch with an anxious expression on his face.
He walked quickly toward the outdoor patio to check on the remaining lawn arrangements.
Leo watched his father leave the room with a subtle look of concern in his eyes.
Two weeks earlier, Leo had accidentally found an old spare smartphone in the office desk.
The phone was synced to the cloud account used for their home security cameras and bills.
Leo had opened the image gallery expecting to see old family vacation photographs from Florida.
Instead, he found saved text messages and hotel receipts from a luxury resort in Miami.
The name on the hotel booking was Chloe Vance, who was David's new marketing director.
Leo did not fully comprehend the whole legal situation at first because of his age.
However, he knew that his father was keeping a massive secret from his beloved mother.
Leo decided to download all the text logs and digital files onto a flash drive.
He kept the physical drive tucked safely inside his school backpack for safekeeping until needed.
He promised himself that he would keep his mother safe from any unfair hurt or sadness.
The heavy front door chimed softly as the first group of wealthy guests began to enter.