Mark took the heavy gold key from his daughter's trembling hand.
He kept his firm grip on Evelyn's wrists while kneeling beside her.
Mark: What door does this key open, Evelyn?
Evelyn: It is just a storage room for old furniture and supplies!
Lily: She is lying to you, Daddy!
Lily: There are people trapped inside that dark room!
Mark looked down the hallway toward the heavy wooden double doors.
Those doors had remained locked ever since Evelyn moved into the house.
She had told him the room held valuable family estate paperwork.
He had trusted her word and never asked to see inside.
Now he realized how foolish he had been all these months.
Mark used his phone to call his trusted estate security director.
Mark: Tom, get up to the main hall with two guards immediately.
Within two minutes, three tall security officers entered the living room.
Mark handed Evelyn over to the strong grip of the head officer.
Mark: Keep her right here while I open that door.
Evelyn: You have no legal right to search my private property!
Mark ignored her frantic shouts and walked down the long hallway.
Lily followed right behind her father while holding his sleeve.
Mark put the ornate key into the brass lock of the double doors.
The old metal lock turned with a heavy click that echoed around.
He took a deep breath and pushed the heavy wooden doors open.
The dark room inside was dimly lit by a single desk lamp.
Two young girls in plain maid outfits were huddled together in fear.
They peeked out nervously from behind an old wooden cabinet.
When they saw Mark standing there, tears filled their weary eyes.
Young Girl: Uncle Mark, please help us get out of here!
Mark stopped in total disbelief as he recognized their young faces.