The afternoon sun filled the mansion with bright natural daylight.
Grant was sitting inside his private office upstairs, reading over financial documents.
He heard the loud sound of footsteps running quickly down the hardwood hallway outside.
Suddenly, the office door burst open and eight-year-old Lily stood in the doorway.
Her small face was red, and tears streamed uncontrollably down her freckled cheeks.
She was trembling violently as she held her hands tightly against her chest.
Grant: Sweetheart, what happened? Why are you crying like this?
Lily: Daddy! Please make her stop! She scared me so badly!
Grant: Take a deep breath, Lily. Who scared you in the house?
Lily: Victoria told me I do not belong here anymore, Daddy!
Grant immediately stood up from his leather chair with a sharp spike of concern.
He picked up his daughter and held her close to reassure her safety.
He hurried down the stairs while the little girl sobbed loudly against his shoulder.
They reached the bright kitchen where Victoria was standing near the center island.
Victoria held a small metal lighter in her hand, flicking it open and shut nervously.
Her face paled for a quick second when she saw Grant enter the room.
Victoria: Grant, I can explain! She attacked me first!
Grant: She is an eight-year-old child, Victoria! What are you talking about?
Victoria: She threw a glass cup at me and screamed horrible words!
Grant looked at the clean floor and noticed no broken glass anywhere in sight.
He looked into Victoria's eyes and saw a cold, calculating glare beneath her panic.
A strong sense of suspicion began to take root deep inside his heart.
He set Lily down gently behind him and stepped closer toward his wife.
The situation in the bright kitchen was quickly spiraling out of control.