David: "Maya, sit down on the chair here. Let me get you a glass of warm water."
Maya: "I'm fine, Mr. Vance... I'm just so glad little Lily is okay. Look at her hands, they're starting to get their color back."
David: "Her fingers are still cold, but the heating blanket the paramedics brought is helping. Doctor Evans is upstairs setting up the monitoring equipment."
Maya: "She was so terrified in there... I can't imagine what kind of person does that to a little child."
David: "A person who was desperate to get rid of her. I was too blind to see it until today."
David walked over to the marble island, pulling out two glasses and pouring warm water from the kettle. His hands were shaking so hard the glass clinked against the counter.
David: "I married Chloe six months ago because I thought Lily needed a mother figure after my late wife passed away. Chloe seemed so sweet, so caring whenever I was in the room."
Maya: "She was playing a role, sir. The moment you left for the office or stepped out for business trips, her whole demeanor changed."
David: "How long has this been going on, Maya? Tell me the absolute truth."
Maya: "Since the second month of the marriage, sir. She started by locking Lily in her bedroom for hours so she wouldn't have to deal with her."
David: "My God... why didn't Lily tell me?!"
Maya: "Chloe threatened her, Mr. Vance. She told Lily that if she complained to you, she would send you away and sell her dog. Lily was terrified of making you unhappy."
David: "And what about you, Maya? Why didn't you come to me directly?"
Maya: "I tried to drop hints, sir! But three weeks ago, Chloe caught me trying to record her yelling at Lily. She took my phone, smashed it, and threatened to fire me and report me to the police for theft if I ever spoke up!"
David: "She threatened to frame you?"
Maya: "Yes, sir. I couldn't afford to lose this job. I have a younger brother in college and my mother's medical bills to pay. I was terrified no one would believe a maid over a billionaire's daughter."
David slammed his palm onto the counter, his jaw tight as he looked at the red-haired maid with deep remorse.
David: "I am so sorry, Maya. I failed my daughter, and I failed the people working in my home by trusting that snake."
Maya: "You didn't know, Mr. Vance. She was very clever about hiding it when you were around."
David: "Well, her game is completely over. I've already instructed my legal team to review every single agreement she signed."
Maya: "What about her father's firm? She kept bragging that her family owned half of Dallas."
David: "Her father's firm relies on a fifty-million-dollar investment fund managed by my private equity company. By four o'clock today, that fund will be completely frozen."
Doctor Evans stepped down the wide staircase, walking into the kitchen with a calm, professional expression on his face.
Doctor Evans: "David, Lily is resting comfortably upstairs. Core temperature is back to normal, no permanent tissue damage from frostbite, thank goodness."
David: "Thank God... thank God."
Doctor Evans: "She needs plenty of warm fluids, rest, and emotional reassurance over the next few days. She kept asking for Maya."
Maya: "She asked for me?"
Doctor Evans: "She wants you to read her a story before she goes to sleep. She says you're her hero."
Maya wiped a tear from her cheek, a soft, genuine smile breaking across her tired face for the first time all afternoon.
Maya: "I'll go up right away, Doctor. Thank you."
David: "Maya, wait. Before you go up..."
David reached into his suit jacket pocket, pulling out a leather checkbook and a fountain pen, filling in quick strokes across the paper.
David: "This is a bonus for saving my daughter's life. One hundred thousand dollars. It will cover your mother's medical bills and your brother's tuition."
Maya: "Mr. Vance! No, I can't take this! I was just doing what was right!"
David: "You did what no one else in this house had the courage to do, Maya. Take it. And starting tomorrow, your salary as Lily's primary guardian and head of house staff is doubled."
Maya: "I... I don't know what to say, sir... thank you..."
David: "Don't thank me, Maya. You gave me back my daughter. Now go read her that story."