Sarah carried the child down to the warm mansion kitchen near the back garden.
She set the girl down on a soft wooden chair near the sunlit window.
The cook was out running errands, leaving the kitchen completely quiet.
Sarah poured a glass of cool milk and handed it to the young child.
Sarah: What is your name, sweet girl?
Clara: My name is Clara.
Sarah: How long were you in that dark room, Clara?
Clara: Since last night when the lady carried me inside.
Sarah felt a wave of anger wash over her as she listened closely.
The child drank the milk quickly and wiped her mouth with her sleeve.
Sarah: Where are your parents, little one?
Clara: My mother is in the hospital down in the city.
Sarah pulled a chair closer and sat down beside the small girl.
She held Clara's tiny hand softly to keep her feeling safe.
Sarah: Do you know why Victoria brought you to this big house?
Clara: She said my dad left me money before he went away.
Sarah froze as she remembered the late Mr. Ashford's recent passing.
The rich man had passed away only two months before Sarah was hired.
There were rumors among the townspeople about a secret will and inheritance.
Victoria had claimed the entire estate for herself after his funeral.
Sarah: Did your father's name happen to be Arthur Ashford?
Clara: Yes, he used to visit me and my mom every week.
The pieces of the dark puzzle were finally starting to fall into place.
Clara was Arthur's biological daughter and the rightful legal heir.
Victoria must have discovered the child after Arthur passed away recently.
Hiding the child was Victoria's cruel plan to keep the entire fortune.
Heavy footsteps sounded in the hallway just outside the kitchen doors.
Victoria stepped inside with a lawyer holding a black leather briefcase.
Victoria: Give the child to us, Sarah.
Sarah: Stay away from her, both of you!
Lawyer: You are making a terrible mistake, young lady.
Sarah: The mistake was locking an innocent child behind a frame!
The lawyer stepped forward and reached into his coat pocket quietly.
Sarah grabbed Clara and stood up behind the thick wooden kitchen island.
Sarah: If you step closer, I will scream for the garden staff!
Victoria: The staff will do whatever I tell them to do.
Clara pulled tightly on Sarah's shirt as the adult voices grew louder.
Sarah looked toward the side door leading directly to the outer courtyard.
She needed to get Clara off this estate before anyone could stop them.