The fast sound of squeaking rubber shoes rang out across the upper balcony floor.
Elena, the house maid, came rushing down the steps holding a wooden laundry basket tightly.
She dropped the basket on the stairs when she saw Arthur lying on the floor.
Elena dropped straight to her knees beside Lily and looked down at the empty needle.
"What have you done, sweet child?" Elena whispered in a voice full of pure panic.
"I gave him his special medicine because he could not breathe!" Lily answered quickly.
Elena reached out and grabbed Lily by both shoulders with firm, trembling hands.
"That was your father's last dose for this entire month!" Elena said in shock.
Lily blinked her wide eyes and looked down at the empty glass container in horror.
"What do you mean it was his last dose?" Lily asked, feeling very confused.
"Your stepmother, Victoria, locked the medicine cabinet yesterday morning," Elena explained quietly.
Lily felt a cold chill run down her spine at the mention of Victoria's name.
Victoria had married Arthur two years ago after meeting him at an expensive charity gala.
She was a tall, elegant woman who rarely smiled at Lily when Arthur was absent.
Victoria controlled all the household expenses, the staff schedules, and the family's bank accounts.
"Victoria told the doctor not to send any more shipments until next month," Elena added.
Arthur groaned softly and moved his fingers across the marble landing near his leg.
"Is my father going to be okay now?" Lily asked as her voice cracked slightly.
"He is stable for now, but Victoria will return from her trip very soon," Elena warned.
"Why would she lock his medicine away in a cabinet?" Lily whispered softly.
Elena looked around the grand hall to make sure no one else was listening to them.
"She wants your father weak so she can manage his real estate trust alone," Elena said.
Lily squeezed her small hands into tight fists as anger replaced her deep fear.
She loved her father too much to let anyone cause him any real harm.
Arthur opened his blue eyes slowly and looked up at his young daughter's face.
"Lily... my brave little girl," Arthur murmured in a soft and tired tone.
"I am right here, Daddy, you are safe now," Lily said while kissing his forehead.
Elena helped Arthur sit up against the thick wooden base of the grand banister.
"We need to get you to your room before Victoria arrives," Elena stated firmly.
Heavy car tires suddenly crunched outside on the long gravel driveway near the main gate.
The loud sound of an expensive sports car engine cut through the afternoon silence.
"She is already here!" Elena gasped as she stood up in absolute terror.