The morning sun shone brightly through the tall windows of the huge mansion.
Mark sat at the polished dining table and checked his work emails.
He was a hardworking man who managed a massive real estate trust fund.
After losing his first wife years ago, Mark raised his daughter Lily alone.
Lily was eight years old and had a very bright smile.
Last year, Mark married Victoria, believing she would be a caring stepmother.
Victoria liked expensive clothes, designer bags, and spending money from the family account.
Mark always tried to give his new wife everything she ever wanted.
Yet Victoria often acted distant and cold whenever Mark was not looking.
She rarely spent time with young Lily during the lazy afternoon hours.
On this sunny morning, Victoria walked into the kitchen wearing a neat suit.
She held a small glass of fresh juice in her right hand.
Victoria: Good morning, my sweet husband.
Mark looked up from his phone and gave her a warm smile.
Mark: Good morning, Victoria.
Victoria: I made this healthy drink special for you today.
She placed the tall glass right beside his laptop computer on the table.
Mark reached out his hand to pick up the smooth glass cup.
Suddenly, fast footsteps echoed down the grand marble hallway outside the room.
Little Lily ran into the kitchen as fast as her small feet could carry her.
Her face was red, and her big eyes were filled with pure terror.
Lily: Daddy, no!
Before Mark could react, Lily reached out and smacked the glass clean out of his hand.
The heavy glass crashed onto the hard floor and shattered into a hundred shiny pieces.
A weird green liquid splashed across the white marble tile near the kitchen counter.
Mark: Lily, what are you doing?
Lily: Daddy, don't drink it!
Lily: It is poisoned!
Victoria took a quick step forward, her entire face turning bright red with intense anger.
Victoria: Shut your mouth right now!
Mark quickly stood up from his chair and stepped right between Victoria and his little girl.
Mark: Do not yell at her like that!
Victoria: She is making up terrible stories to get attention!
Lily: I am not lying, Daddy!
Lily: I saw her put green powder into your cup!
Mark looked down at the strange bubbling liquid spreading slowly across the white floor tiles.
His heart sank heavy in his chest as deep doubt filled his mind.
He looked straight into Victoria's wide, nervous eyes with cold realization.
Mark: Are you trying to hurt me?
Victoria: Of course not, darling!
Victoria: The girl is just confused and lying!
Mark: We are going to find out the truth right now.