Julian wrapped his suit coat around Lily to keep her warm.
Her tiny hands gripped his collar tightly as she sobbed into his chest.
Julian: I have got you, baby, you are completely safe now.
Lily: Daddy, I was so scared in the cold room!
Julian: Nobody will ever hurt you again, I promise.
Julian patted her back while looking for the nearest exit.
Evelyn slowly pulled herself up from the marble floor.
Two security guards finally stepped forward to calm the situation.
Julian glared at the guards and pointed his finger threateningly.
Julian: Stay back or I will have you all arrested immediately!
The guards paused and looked back at Evelyn for further instructions.
Evelyn wiped her silver gown and tried to look composed.
Evelyn: He has ruined a perfectly legal presentation about our trust.
Julian ignored her chatter and focused entirely on his young daughter.
Lily leaned back and pointed her finger toward the back wall.
She looked toward a hidden door right behind the American flag.
Lily: Daddy... Mommy is locked inside the back room too!
Julian froze in his tracks as his breath caught in his throat.
His wife Clara had vanished six months ago after filing for divorce.
Evelyn had claimed that Clara simply abandoned the family business.
Julian had searched everywhere for Clara without finding any clues.
He looked at Lily with deep shock visible in his eyes.
Julian: What did you say about your mommy, Lily?
Lily: The mean lady put Mommy in the wall room yesterday.
Julian felt his blood turn completely ice cold in an instant.
He turned his head slowly toward the heavy flag hanging nearby.
Evelyn's face suddenly lost all of its confident color.
She stepped back toward the side door of the main stage.
Julian set Lily down behind a safe row of wooden chairs.
Julian: Stay right here, Lily, do not move an inch.
He walked straight toward the hidden door near the flag.