Julian felt his heart drop straight into the bottom of his stomach.
He looked at the boy and then back at Clara's nervous face.
Julian: Did he just call you Mommy, Clara?
Clara: He is confused, Julian!
Clara: I have never seen this child before in my entire life.
Julian looked closer at the small boy sitting safely in his arms.
The child had Clara's distinct bright blue eyes and soft blonde curls.
He also wore a tiny silver bracelet that matched Clara's custom jewelry.
Julian: You told me you had no children from your past marriage.
Julian: You swore to me that you were totally honest with me.
Clara began looking around the empty hallway in total frantic panic.
Clara: Listen to me, Julian, please!
Clara: It is not what you think it is at all.
Julian: Then explain why this boy was locked behind a fake wall!
The little boy held tightly onto Julian's silk tuxedo lapel with fear.
Child's Voice: The mean man locked the door when people started coming.
Julian's eyes narrowed as he realized someone else was involved in this.
Julian: What mean man is he talking about, Clara?
Clara: Nobody! He is just making up stories because he was scared.
A tall man in a dark suit walked quickly down the hallway.
It was Clara's former business manager and long-time personal assistant, Marcus.
Marcus stopped in his tracks when he saw the open panel wall.
Marcus: Clara, what is going on out here right now?
Julian: Did you lock this little boy inside that hidden room?
Marcus stepped in front of Clara with a cold and firm expression.
Marcus: Sir, you need to hand that child over to us immediately.
Julian: I am not giving this child to anyone until answers are given.
Julian: I am calling the police department right this very minute.
Julian pulled his cell phone from his inner jacket pocket with force.
Clara reached out quickly and tried to grab the phone from him.
Clara: Don't call them, Julian!
Clara: It will ruin everything we built together for our future!
Julian: You locked a innocent child inside a dark plaster frame!
Julian: You lied about your past and you lied about your family!
Marcus took a step toward Julian with an aggressive physical stance.
Marcus: Give us the kid, Julian, or things will get ugly.
Julian held the boy tighter and backed away toward the grand ballroom.
Julian: Don't you dare lay a single finger on us, Marcus.
Julian: There are two hundred guests right through those double doors.
The little boy began crying quietly against Julian's heavy black shoulder.
Child's Voice: I want to go home... I don't like it here...
Julian looked down at the boy with total protection in his heart.
Julian: I am taking care of you now, buddy.
Julian: Nobody is ever going to hurt you or hide you again.
Clara stepped forward with tears finally welling up in her eyes.
Clara: Julian, if the police come, I will lose my family inheritance.
Clara: My father's will strictly says I cannot have secret dependents.
Julian looked at her with pure disgust and complete disbelief today.
Julian: You hid your own son for money?
Clara: It was only supposed to be until the estate was settled!