The morning sun poured through the massive floor to ceiling windows of the hilltop estate.
Vincent adjusted his silk tie while looking down at the heavy city traffic flowing far below.
He had spent twenty years building his investment firm into a massive financial empire worth millions.
His huge mansion sat in an exclusive gated neighborhood located just outside of downtown Austin.
Everything inside the spacious home spoke of incredible wealth and total perfection.
Yet Vincent felt more stressed today than he had ever felt in his entire career.
His corporate legal team had been calling his cell phone non stop since early that morning.
A massive board meeting was scheduled to take place at his main headquarters by late afternoon.
The board members were preparing to vote on a huge corporate restructuring deal today.
If the vote passed, Vincent would maintain full personal ownership over his entire life insurance policy and trust fund.
If he missed the meeting, his ambitious business partners could easily force a hostile corporate takeover.
Vincent sat down heavily at the dark glossy conference table placed right inside his primary living room.
He rubbed his tired temples while trying to ignore the constant throbbing headache behind his eyes.
His seven year old daughter Lily sat quietly on the chair placed directly beside him.
She wore a bright yellow summer dress that matched her happy and sweet golden blonde curls.
Lily had been born completely deaf and communicated primarily using American Sign Language and clear gestures.
Her sharp blue eyes watched every single movement inside the quiet household with incredible focus.
Vincent smiled softly and gently reached over to pat his young daughter on her shoulder.
He valued his daughter more than all the money and commercial real estate he currently owned.
Suddenly the quiet sound of soft high heels echoed against the polished light marble floors.
Evelyn walked slowly into the room wearing an elegant burgundy designer dress and expensive golden jewelry.
She was Vincent second wife and had married him almost two complete years ago.
Evelyn had always claimed that she loved both Vincent and little Lily with all her heart.
However, recent arguments regarding the family estate and new will had created deep tension between them.
Vincent noticed that Evelyn carried a heavy silver tray held firmly in her tight hands.
On top of the gleaming tray sat a single crystal glass filled with aged expensive whiskey.
Evelyn: You look completely exhausted today, my dear husband.
Vincent looked up from his thick stack of financial documents and forced a brief smile.
Vincent: I have too many legal documents to review before the afternoon vote starts.
Evelyn stepped closer and placed the crystal glass down on the dark glossy wood table.
Evelyn: Take a small sip of this drink so you can relax your racing mind.
Vincent reached out his hand toward the heavy glass to take a quick cold sip.
Before his fingers could touch the glass, little Lily reached over and grabbed his dark sleeve.
Vincent turned his head quickly to look down at his young blonde daughter in confusion.
Vincent: What is it, sweetheart?
Lily pointed her tiny finger directly at the crystal glass sitting near his hand.
She then touched her small ear and shook her young head back and forth rapidly.
Vincent: My hearing? Is there a problem with your hearing aid today?
Lily shook her head again with great force and kept pointing directly at the glass.
Evelyn stood in the open doorway with her arms crossed tightly over her burgundy dress.
Her face looked unusually pale under the bright white recessed lights of the living room.
Evelyn: Vincent, what on earth is she doing right now?
Lily made a tiny dropping motion with her small fist right above the clear liquid.
Vincent froze instantly as he realized exactly what his young daughter was trying to explain.
Vincent: You saw someone put something in my drink?