Arthur Vance stared down at the small golden object resting on the polished hardwood floor. The quiet morning inside the Vance family mansion had completely shattered into chaotic fragments. His expensive dark suit was soaked with hot morning tea, but he did not care about the damp stain on his clothes at all anymore. His heart hammered wildly against his ribs as he stared at the shiny trinket lying near his leather shoe. It was a delicate heart-shaped locket that looked painfully familiar to him.
Arthur: Where did you get this locket?
Lily: It was in my mommy's jewelry box. She told me never to lose it.
Elena: She's lying, Mr. Vance! She stole that from the master bedroom this morning!
Arthur: Quiet, Elena! I am asking her, not you.
Arthur dropped to his knees right away, ignoring the wet floor underneath him completely. His trembling hands reached out to pick up the cold piece of metal. When his fingers popped the tiny latch open, his breath caught deep inside his chest. Inside was a small, faded photograph taken seven long years ago in a private hospital room. His late wife Sarah was smiling softly from the bed, holding a tiny newborn wrapped in a pink blanket. The very same locket had vanished five years ago, the exact night Sarah died in a horrible car crash.
Arthur: Lily... where did you find this exact locket?
Lily: Under the floorboard in the back cottage. The lady who raised me gave it to me before she got sick.
Elena: Sir, you can't listen to a stray child! She wandered onto the estate grounds from the staff quarters! I was just about to call security to throw her out!
Arthur: You slapped a seven-year-old child in my house, Elena. Do not tell me what to do.
Elena: I was only protecting your breakfast, sir. She rushed in like a wild animal!
Lily: She put a dark powder in the cup, Daddy! I saw her from the window! She put the grey powder in the teapot when you turned around to answer your phone!
Arthur turned his head slowly toward the large marble kitchen counter nearby. The silver teapot was still steaming softly in the center of the clean room. Elena stepped backward immediately, her face suddenly turning as white as a sheet of paper.
Elena: She's making up stories, Mr. Vance! She's trying to cover up breaking your favorite porcelain!
Arthur: You said you made this tea, Elena. But I brewed it myself five minutes ago.
Elena: I... I mean I brought the tray in! I saw something floating in it and wanted to replace it!
Arthur: You just told me she spilled the tea I made. Which one is it?
Lily: Daddy, my cheek hurts real bad...
Arthur reached out gently and pulled the sobbing young girl into his arms. The side of her face was already turning bright red from the hard slap she had received moments ago. As he held her close, a subtle scent filled his nose—the unmistakable smell of sweet vanilla and rose water. It was the exact custom perfume his late wife Sarah used to wear every single day of her life.
Arthur: Tell me your full name, sweetheart.
Lily: Lily... Lily Sarah Vance.
Elena: That's impossible! Your daughter died in the crash five years ago! Everyone knows that!
Arthur: I never released my daughter's full middle name to the press. Only three people in the world knew her full name.
Elena: She must have read it online! Or heard the staff talking!
Arthur: No one on my staff knew her middle name either. Sarah hated public records and kept the custody papers sealed in our family trust vault.
Arthur stood up slowly, lifting Lily up in his arms and holding her tightly against his chest. He looked at Elena with cold eyes, causing the maid to step toward the door in total fear.
Arthur: Touch that door handle, Elena, and I will have my security team bring you down before you reach the driveway.