The gravel driveway burned through Lily's thin socks as she ran toward the iron security gates at the end of the property. Her chest burned, her throat felt dry, and tears blinded her eyes, but she kept moving.
Lily: Help! Somebody help my mommy!
Near the main gate, a sleek dark sedan was parked by the security guardhouse. A large man in a suit stood near the hood, talking on a radio. It was Marcus, Victoria's personal driver. As soon as he saw Lily running down the driveway, he clicked his radio off and stepped directly into her path.
Marcus: Woah there, little girl. Where do you think you're going in such a hurry?
Lily: Let me go! Victoria locked my mommy in the room! She's trying to hurt her!
Marcus: Mrs. Victoria is just taking care of family business, kid. You need to come back inside before you catch a cold.
Lily: No! You're a bad man! Let me out!
Lily tried to dodge past his legs, but Marcus grabbed her arm, lifting her off the ground easily. Lily kicked her feet, screaming at the top of her lungs as he carried her back toward the sedan.
Marcus: Quiet down! Nobody can hear you out here anyway.
Suddenly, the heavy iron gates began to swing open automatically. A loud horn blasted from the street as a dark silver SUV pulled into the driveway at full speed, slamming its brakes right in front of the sedan.
The driver's door flew open, and a tall, broad-shouldered man in a navy suit stepped out. It was Richard Sterling, Lily's father. His tie was loose, his face pale with worry as he looked between Marcus and his crying daughter.
Richard: Marcus! What the hell are you doing with my daughter?!
Lily: Daddy!
Marcus instantly dropped Lily to her feet, taking a step back with his hands raised in panic.
Marcus: Mr. Sterling! You... you're back early from New York, sir!
Richard: I asked you a question, Marcus! Why are you putting hands on my daughter?!
Lily ran forward, throwing her arms around her father's leg, her whole body shaking violently as she sobbed into his trousers.
Lily: Daddy! Victoria locked Mommy in the old storage room with a big lock! She hasn't eaten in two days! She called a car to take Mommy away!
Richard knelt down, grabbing Lily's shoulders as his eyes widened in absolute shock and horror.
Richard: What did you just say, Lily? Where is your mother?!
Lily: In the storage room at the back of the house! I broke the lock with a hammer, but Victoria is holding her down!
Richard stood up, his posture stiffening as his jaw clenched tightly. He looked at Marcus with a glare so cold the driver took another step back.
Richard: Marcus, if you move one inch from this driveway, I will personally see to it that you spend the rest of your life in a federal prison. Stay right here.
Marcus: Sir, I was just following Mrs. Victoria's orders—
Richard: Shut up!
Richard grabbed Lily's hand and sprinted toward the mansion, his long strides taking them up the front steps and through the grand foyer within seconds.