Julian: What did you say to me, you ungrateful little brat?[cite: 1]
Maya: I said everyone needs to know what you are doing in this mansion![cite: 1]
Victoria: Silence! You are a low-wage maid in my house, and you will keep your mouth shut if you value your life![cite: 1]
Maya yanked her arm out of Julian's grip, stepping back against the cold edge of the marble island[cite: 1]. Her heart was pounding like a hammer against her ribs, but she refused to look down[cite: 1].
Julian: Look at her, Mother. She thinks she can threaten us because she found a key on a table[cite: 1].
Victoria: She doesn't know anything[cite: 1]. She's just a terrified girl who wants a bigger paycheck[cite: 1].
Maya: I don't want your money, Mrs. Sterling! I hear the crying every single night! I hear a child begging for help behind those locked white doors![cite: 1]
Julian's face turned pale for a split second before his eyes narrowed into dangerous slits[cite: 1]. He took another step toward Maya, his heavy tuxedo jacket brushing against the counter[cite: 1].
Julian: There is no child in this house[cite: 1]. My sister passed away five years ago, and that room has been sealed ever since[cite: 1]. You are hearing things because you are stressed[cite: 1].
Maya: That's a lie! I heard a voice right here in this kitchen two minutes ago! It said, 'Please, open the door!'[cite: 1]
Victoria: You are out of your mind! Julian, call security right now and have her thrown off the property[cite: 1]!
Julian: With pleasure, Mother[cite: 1].
Julian reached into his tuxedo pocket and pulled out his smartphone[cite: 1]. But before his fingers could touch the screen, a low, ominous creaking sound reverberated through the floorboards beneath their feet[cite: 1].
Maya: Did you hear that...?[cite: 1]
Victoria: It's just the wind rustling the trees outside! Stop acting so dramatic![cite: 1]
Julian: Wait... Mother, look at the hall lights[cite: 1].
The grand crystal chandeliers hanging in the main hallway flickered rapidly, their warm yellow light dimming into a cold, pale white[cite: 1]. A freezing draft swept through the kitchen, fluttering the white folded napkins on the counter[cite: 1].
Victoria: Why is it so cold in here all of a sudden?![cite: 1]
Maya: The key... it's glowing[cite: 1].
On the marble countertop, the antique brass key was reflecting a strange blue light[cite: 1]. Maya reached down slowly, her fingers trembling as she snatched the heavy metal key off the island[cite: 1].
Julian: Drop that key right now, Maya! I am warning you![cite: 1]
Maya: No! I'm going to open that door![cite: 1]
Maya turned around and sprinted out of the kitchen, her white apron fluttering behind her as her soft shoes slapped against the polished hardwood floor of the main corridor[cite: 1].
Victoria: Stop her! Julian, don't let her reach the second floor![cite: 1]
Julian: Get back here, you crazy girl![cite: 1]
Julian gave chase, his heavy shoes thumping against the floorboards as he ran after her[cite: 1]. Maya scrambled up the grand staircase, her hands gripping the wooden railing as she took two steps at a time[cite: 1]. Her lungs burned, but the faint sound of a child weeping in her mind kept her moving forward[cite: 1].
She reached the long, dark corridor on the second floor[cite: 1]. At the very end of the hallway stood the massive pair of white double doors, secured with a heavy iron latch and a dark padlock[cite: 1].
Maya: Hold on! I'm coming![cite: 1]
Julian: Maya, step away from those doors right now![cite: 1]
Julian reached the top of the stairs, breathing heavily as he pointed an angry finger at her[cite: 1]. Victoria hurried up behind him, clutching the railing with both hands, her face twisted in fear and panic[cite: 1].
Victoria: If you open that lock, you will ruin everything this family has built! You will destroy us![cite: 1]
Maya: Good! Because whatever you hid behind this door deserves to be free![cite: 1]
Maya shoved the brass key into the old iron padlock[cite: 1]. It fit perfectly[cite: 1]. With a sharp twist of her hand, the heavy lock clicked open and fell to the floor with a loud metallic crash[cite: 1].