The bright sun shone brightly through the tall arched windows of the grand hall.
Guests walked around the room while holding expensive glasses of cold sparkling juice.
Little Lily stood near the edge of the polished white marble floor with a heavy hammer.
Her small hands were shaking as she lifted the iron tool above her young head.
She swung the hammer down against the thick metal latch on the dark wooden trapdoor.
A loud metallic sound echoed across the crowded room and shocked every nearby guest.
People turned around quickly to see what was causing such a terrible noise.
Lily: I have to get this open right now!
Tears rolled down her rosy cheeks as she struck the stubborn iron padlock again.
The maid named Elena ran across the room with a very worried look on her face.
She dropped her serving tray onto a nearby table as fast as she could.
Elena: Put that hammer down before you hurt yourself, child!
Elena grabbed the wooden handle of the hammer to stop the little girl from swinging.
Lily pulled back with all her tiny weight and refused to let go of the tool.
Lily: My mom is locked down there!
Elena: You are mistaken, sweet girl, so please stop this right now!
Lily: She called my name from under the floorboards just a minute ago!
The guests began to whisper among themselves as they watched the strange drama unfold.
Many people wondered why a lock was placed on the floor of a wealthy home.
Julian stepped out from the main parlor while wearing a very fine black tuxedo suit.
He looked confused when he saw his young daughter crying near the servant door.
Julian: What is all this loud noise about, Elena?
Elena: It is nothing important, sir, just a small misunderstanding with the young child.
Lily: Daddy, help me break this heavy iron lock!
Julian walked closer with a puzzled expression on his handsome face.
He looked down at the wooden hatch that had been hidden under a woven rug.
The heavy rug had been pulled back to reveal the dark painted oak boards.
Julian: Why was there a rug covering this part of the floor?
Elena: The floor was damaged last week, so we covered it for safety.
Lily wiped her wet nose with the sleeve of her nice cream dress.
She looked up at her father with big brown eyes filled with pure trust.
Lily: I am not lying, Daddy, I heard Mommy calling for me!
Julian felt a sudden cold chill run down his spine as he heard those words.
His wife Clara had vanished three long days ago without leaving a single note behind.
The police had searched the entire town without finding any clue about her location.
Julian: Step away from the hatch, Elena, and let me look at this lock.
Elena: Please do not disturb the floor during your important party, sir!
Elena stood firmly between the man and the lock on the floor hatch.
Her face had turned pale white as if she had just seen a ghost.
Julian: Give me that heavy hammer right now, Elena.
Julian took the tool from the maid's trembling fingers with a sharp pull.
He raised the hammer high and brought it down hard on the old padlock.
The metal lock snapped into two pieces with a sharp echoing crash.