The dark sedan glided silently up the winding driveway toward the massive white house.
The large estate stood silent against the cloudy gray night sky.
Marcus instructed his driver to leave the headlights off near the front gate.
He stepped out onto the damp driveway, his heavy boots clicking softly on stone.
His personal chief of security accompanied him up the wide marble front steps.
Marcus pulled out his private brass master key and inserted it into the front door.
The massive double doors swung open without making a single sound.
The grand foyer was brightly lit, but eerie silence filled the grand hallway.
Marcus signaled for his security chief to stay close behind him in the foyer.
He walked quietly along the polished hardwood floors toward the back wing.
As he neared the entrance to the kitchen, a faint sound stopped him cold.
It was the distinct sound of splashing water mixed with a small child sobbing.
Marcus felt his pulse spike as he recognized his daughter's soft crying voice.
Lily: Daddy... please help me!
Marcus froze just outside the kitchen archway, keeping himself hidden behind the wall.
He peeked around the corner into the brightly lit white room.
His small daughter Lily was standing on a wooden step stool near the sink.
A massive stack of dirty dinner plates towered high above her little shoulders.
Cold tap water poured continuously over her tiny, shivering bare hands.
Victoria stood right beside her, wearing a glittering red designer gown.
Victoria held a glass of wine and stared down at the weeping child.
A male friend of Victoria sat nearby at the kitchen island, laughing softly.
Victoria: Stop crying and work faster, Lily!
Victoria: You have to clean every single plate before you can sleep!
Marcus felt a blinding wave of anger wash over his whole body.
His precious daughter was being forced to clean dishes while crying hysterically.
He stepped through the kitchen doors with absolute fury in his eyes.