The bright light inside the grand hallway reflected off the black-and-white checkered marble floor. Elena knelt on the cold stone, her hands shaking as red wine soaked through her thin dress. Above her stood Chloe, wearing a gold sequin gown and holding an empty glass with a cruel smirk on her face.
Chloe: Look at you, trembling on the floor like a servant.
Elena: Why are you doing this to me, Chloe? I just came here to ask about my father's estate.
Chloe: Your father is gone, Elena! You don't belong in this mansion anymore!
Elena: My father left half of this house to me in his will, and you know it!
Chloe: That paper means nothing! My mother controls the trust fund now, and you get nothing!
Chloe tilted the bottle again, letting the last drops of dark red wine ruin Elena's hair and clothes. Elena squeezed her eyes shut, crying quietly as the stain spread across the expensive checkered floor.
Elena: Please, stop... please, just let me get my things and leave.
Chloe: You're not leaving until you realize your place in this family!
Suddenly, the heavy double doors at the end of the hallway swung open with a loud thud. Marcus stood in the doorway, his grey suit sharp, his face pale with instant shock as he took in the terrible scene.
Marcus: What in the world is happening in here?!
Chloe: Honey! Oh thank goodness you're back!
Marcus: Chloe, what is all over the floor? Why is Elena crying?
Chloe: Honey, she spilled it on herself! She was throwing a wild tantrum about her allowance!
Elena: That's not true... she poured it on me...
Chloe: Don't listen to her lies, Marcus! She's just trying to turn you against me!
Marcus: Stop this right now, Chloe!
Marcus marched across the marble tiles, stepping right past Chloe without looking at her. He dropped to his knees beside Elena, taking her face gently in his hands to wipe away her tears.
Marcus: It's over, Elena. I'm right here. You're safe now.
Elena: Marcus... she ruined my mother's dress... she wiped out the bank account...
Marcus: I know. I know everything she did. And she isn't getting away with a single second of it.
Marcus slowly stood up, looking up toward the corner ceiling of the hallway where a white security camera glowed with a bright red LED light. He pointed his finger sharply at the lens, his eyes burning with intense fury.
Marcus: There's a camera, Chloe. And it caught every single lie you just told.