Julian grabbed Clara’s arm, twisting her wrist with cold force as she cried out in pain.
Clara: Julian, stop! You are hurting me!
Julian: You forced my hand, Mother! I’m transferring the offshore accounts in two hours!
Lily: Leave Grandma alone!
The little girl charged from the darkness, sinking her small teeth directly into Julian’s expensive leather shoe.
Julian: Ah! Get off me, you little leech!
Julian shoved the child backward. Lily tumbled onto a heap of old burlap sacks, crying softly into her hands.
Clara saw red. She grabbed a rusted iron pipe resting beside the boiler and swung it with all her strength.
The metal struck Julian’s shin with a sickening thud.
Julian: You crazy old witch!
Julian stumbled back, clutching his leg in agony as he lost his balance on the slick floor.
Clara: Run, Lily! Run up the stairs right now!
Lily scrambled to her feet, her bare toes slapping against the wooden staircase as fast as her legs could carry her.
Julian: Veronica! Veronica, lock the upstairs door! Don't let her out!
Clara rushed behind Lily, using her own body as a shield while Julian limped furiously toward the staircase.
Clara: Keep going, darling! Push through the door!
Lily reached the top landing, pounding her tiny fists against the heavy kitchen entrance door.
Lily: Help me! Please open the door!
The door clicked open, but standing on the other side wasn't help. It was Veronica, Julian’s new fiancee, dressed in silk loungewear.
Veronica: What is that filthy little thing doing out of the basement?
Clara: Veronica, help us! Julian has lost his mind!
Veronica looked down at the shivering child with pure disgust, folding her manicured arms.
Veronica: I told Julian this ridiculous plan had too many loose ends.
Clara: You knew? You were in on this horrific crime too?
Veronica: Of course I knew, you naive old fool. Do you think I married your bankrupt son for his sparkling personality?
Clara: You faked a child's burial for luxury cars and diamonds?
Veronica: That trust fund belongs to Julian now. Which means it belongs to me. Push them back down, Julian!
Julian grabbed Clara’s shoulder from behind, attempting to drag both of them down the cellar steps.
Julian: Both of you are staying locked down there until our jet lands in the Cayman Islands!
Clara: Over my dead body, Julian!
Clara whipped around and raked her nails across Julian’s face, drawing blood along his cheek.
Julian screamed in rage, letting go of Clara for a single crucial second.
Clara: Run to the front gate, Lily! Scream for the security guards!