Marcus checked his silk tie in the rearview mirror before opening the car door.
The driveway was filled with expensive cars owned by the most influential people in the city.
He was here to secure a major investment deal for his growing shipping business.
His young son Ethan sat quietly in the backseat wearing his very first little tuxedo.
Marcus looked back at the small seven-year-old boy and smiled warmly.
Ethan had lost his mother two years ago and was still very quiet around large crowds.
Marcus reached back and gently smoothed down the boy's dark hair.
He promised his son that they would only stay at the gala for one short hour.
They stepped out into the crisp evening air toward the brightly lit white mansion.
Victoria was waiting near the front entrance wearing a stunning gold sequin dress.
She was the wealthy heiress hosting the charity event for local business leaders.
Victoria had been dating Marcus for six months, but she disliked young Ethan.
She believed the young boy was a distraction from their future together.
Marcus walked up the grand stone steps while holding Ethan's small hand tightly.
Victoria greeted Marcus with a warm smile, but her eyes turned cold looking at Ethan.
She suggested that Ethan play in the indoor playroom with the other children.
Marcus hesitated because Ethan preferred to stay right by his father's side.
Victoria called for one of her uniformed house staff to guide the boy inside.
Marcus leaned down and whispered to Ethan that he would check on him very soon.
Ethan nodded nervously and followed the butler down the long grand hallway.
Marcus turned back to Victoria to meet the wealthy investors standing near the bar.
He needed this business deal to secure his family's long-term financial future.
The corporate lawyer introduced Marcus to the board members of the bank.
They discussed real estate values and shipping contracts over expensive glasses of wine.
Every few minutes, Marcus looked over his shoulder toward the quiet side hallway.
He felt a strange knot forming in his stomach as time passed by.
Thirty minutes had already gone by since Ethan walked away with the butler.
Marcus excused himself from the group of investors to go find his son.
Victoria caught his arm quickly and tried to pull him back to the main room.
She claimed that Ethan was fine and was eating dessert in the kitchen.
Marcus looked closely at Victoria's tight expression and felt immediate suspicion.
He brushed her hand off his jacket sleeve and walked toward the back door.