The grand foyer of the Vance estate was silent except for the harsh sound of dripping liquid. Dark red wine soaked into the fabric of eighteen-year-old Lily’s worn sweater, staining her light hair as it ran down her forehead and dripped off her chin onto the black-and-white checkered marble floor[cite: 1]. She remained on her knees, shivering under the bright lights of the high-key hallway, trying not to let her tears fall[cite: 1]. Stand above her, thirty-eight-year-old Victoria held a crystal glass, tilting it further to pour the last drops over Lily's head[cite: 1]. Her face was twisted with cold satisfaction as she watched the girl flinch[cite: 1].
Victoria: You think because your father brought you into this mansion that you belong here? You're nothing but a mistake, Lily.
Lily: Please... Victoria, stop... my father will be home soon...
Victoria: Your father isn't here to save you. And even if he were, he would take my word over yours every single time.
Lily clenched her small hands into fists against her knees, her shoulders shaking as the cold liquid ruined her clothes[cite: 1]. She had endured Victoria's quiet cruelty for two long years, ever since her biological father, Arthur Vance, brought her to live at the family mansion after her mother passed away. But today, Victoria had taken her hatred to a terrifying new level.
Suddenly, the heavy mahogany double doors at the end of the hall swung wide open[cite: 1]. Heavy, firm footsteps echoed sharply against the polished marble floor[cite: 1]. Arthur stepped into the hallway, wearing a tailored gray three-piece suit, carrying his leather briefcase after returning early from his corporate board meeting[cite: 1]. He stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening as he caught Victoria standing over the kneeling girl with the empty glass[cite: 1].
Victoria's cruel smile vanished instantly. She forced an innocent, shocked expression onto her face, pointing down at Lily with a dramatically worried gasp[cite: 1].
Victoria: Honey, she spilled it on herself! I was just trying to help her clean up!
Arthur: Stop this!
Arthur dropped his briefcase onto the checkered floor, his face flushed with intense anger as he stepped forward under the bright natural lighting[cite: 1]. But as he knelt beside his crying daughter, he noticed a tiny red light blinking quietly from the ceiling corner directly above them[cite: 1].