Dominic rushed inside the small concrete room without missing a beat.
Lying on the cot was Clara, her clothes dusty and her lips pale from the cold.
Her hands were tied loosely with a dark scarf, but she was still conscious.
Clara: Dominic... Harper... Oh thank God you found me!
Dominic dropped to his knees on the stone floor and untied her hands instantly.
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest.
Dominic: I am so sorry, Clara. I am so sorry I didn't check earlier.
Clara: She tricked me... She told me there were old photo albums in here...
Little Harper came running into the room and threw her arms around both of them.
Harper: Mommy! Mommy! I brought Daddy like you asked!
Clara: My sweet brave girl! You saved my life!
Dominic helped Clara stand up carefully on her weak legs.
She was shaking from the cold and the sheer horror of being trapped in total darkness.
Dominic: Why did she do this, Clara? What was her plan?
Clara: The inheritance documents... She wanted me to miss the 2:00 PM notary appointment.
Clara: If I wasn't there to sign, the trust fund money would automatically transfer to her!
Dominic felt a dangerous flare of pure outrage wash over his mind.
Eleanor had locked a young mother in a damp cell just to steal a trust fund.
She was willing to ruin lives and endanger a family for simple financial greed.
Dominic: She is never going to touch another dollar of this family's money again.
Clara: Is she still out there in the hallway?
Dominic: Yes. And she is about to answer for everything she has done.
Dominic lifted Clara gently, supporting her arm as they walked out into the corridor.
Harper held onto her mother's dress, keeping close to her side.
When they stepped into the hallway light, Eleanor was trying to sneak up the cellar stairs.
Dominic's voice cut through the damp darkness like a sharp steel blade.
Dominic: Stand right where you are, Eleanor!