The summer sun beat down hard on the sprawling Vance estate, pouring through the massive custom glass windows that lined the high ceilings. The white crown molding caught the morning rays, shining like pure silver against the polished oak wood walls. But on the floor, the peaceful scene was completely shattered into pieces.
Jagged shards of heavy crystal were scattered across the entrance hall floor, sparkling under the overhead lights. In the middle of the mess lay Hannah, her navy suit coat torn and covered in dust. Her face was pale, and drops of cold sweat ran down her forehead as she gasped for air. Her right hand rested just inches away from a huge sharp piece of broken glass. Every small breath she took was full of pain.
Standing right over her was Jessica, wearing a tight red designer dress that stood out sharply against the traditional dark wood paneling. Her freckled face was twisted with pure hatred. She did not hesitate as she brought the hard heel of her shoe down onto Hannah's bare shoulder, pressing her weight down as hard as she could. She wanted to make sure Hannah could not move or get back up.
Jessica: Know your place! You are nothing in this house!
Hannah: Please... Jessica... stop... my hand...
Jessica: You thought you could come back here and take what belongs to me? You're weak!
Hannah tried to pull her arm back, but the sharp pain shot straight up into her neck. She had returned to the mansion to settle old family affairs, never expecting Jessica to turn violent the moment they were alone. Jessica had spent months cutting off the family accounts, pushing everyone else away so she could take full control of the Vance fortune.
Suddenly, the heavy front doors swung open with a loud bang, rattling the entire entryway. Marcus stepped into the grand room, his dark suit coat slightly unbuttoned from his long drive back from the downtown courthouse. He took two steps inside and stopped dead in his tracks. His mouth dropped open in shock as his eyes took in the bloody scene before him.
Marcus: What... what is going on here?!
Jessica: Marcus! Oh thank God you're home!
In a split second, Jessica pulled her high heel back off Hannah's arm. Her face shifted instantly from anger to dramatic tears. She let her shoulders drop and took a few shaking steps backward, pointing a finger at Hannah on the floor.
Jessica: Marcus, she attacked me! She tried to throw that glass vase right at my head!
Marcus: Get away from her!
Marcus did not hesitate for a single second. He charged across the foyer, his shoes crunching against the scattered crystal pieces. He grabbed Jessica by both of her arms and shoved her back several feet, putting his own body between her and his injured wife.
Marcus: Step away from my wife!
Jessica: Your wife?! Marcus, look at the mess she made! She's hysterical!
Marcus: Shut up, Jessica! Just shut up!
Jessica stumbled backward against the wood paneling, her eyes wide with shock. But as she looked up toward the crown molding, her gaze landed on a small black dome mounted high above the door. A tiny red light was blinking steadily on the security camera. It was recording everything. Panic hit her instantly, and she began pulling at her hair, screaming as loud as she could.
Jessica: No! No! Call 911 right now! Somebody help me!
Marcus ignored her completely. He dropped down onto his knees beside Hannah, his hands trembling as he reached out to help his wife up from the floor. He knew right then that the dark secrets kept in this mansion were finally coming out into the open.