Arthur Vance pulled his dark luxury sedan into the long curving driveway of his suburban estate.
He looked at his seven-year-old daughter Lily sitting quietly in the back seat.
Lily held her small plush bear tightly against her blue dress.
Arthur smiled softly as he put the car into park.
Arthur: We are finally home, sweetie.
Lily: Is Loretta already inside our house, Daddy?
Arthur: Yes, she arrived earlier to unpack her things.
Lily nodded silently and looked down at her small shoes.
Arthur felt a slight twinge of worry in his heart.
He had met Loretta six months ago at a high-profile business charity gala.
She seemed charming, polished, and eager to help raise his motherless daughter.
Arthur had lost his wife three years ago in a sudden illness.
Since then, he dedicated all his energy to his real estate firm and Lily.
Bringing Loretta into their home felt like a massive step forward.
He wanted Lily to have a warm maternal figure again.
Arthur opened the car door and stepped into the crisp afternoon air.
He reached into the back seat to unbuckle Lily's safety harness.
Arthur: Let us head inside and see your new room setup.
Lily: Okay, Daddy, I hope she likes my drawings.
Arthur held his daughter's tiny hand as they walked up the grand steps.
The massive front doors swung open to reveal the high-ceiling foyer.
Maria, the housemaid, greeted them near the marble staircase with a polite bow.
Maria: Welcome home, Mr. Vance and little Miss Lily.
Arthur: Thank you, Maria, is Loretta upstairs right now?
Maria: Yes, sir, she is setting up her primary closet space.
Loretta walked down the winding staircase wearing an expensive leather outfit.
Her sharp heels clicked loudly against the polished marble floor.
She smiled broadly, but the warmth did not quite reach her eyes.
Loretta: Welcome home, my darling Arthur!
Arthur wrapped his arm around her waist and gave her a gentle hug.
Arthur: It is wonderful to have you here permanently now.
Loretta: I am so excited to manage this beautiful household.
Loretta leaned down toward Lily with a sudden stern look.
Loretta: You should always wipe your shoes before entering, young lady.
Lily shrank back slightly behind her father's tall suit frame.
Arthur: She is just excited to be home, Loretta.
Loretta: Of course, but discipline starts on day one, right?
Arthur brushed the comment off, thinking it was just small moving-in stress.
He had no idea what was about to unfold behind closed doors.