The grand ballroom was filled with bright lights and high-profile guests from across the entire city.
White marble floors stretched out across the huge room under crystal chandeliers.
A massive American flag hung proudly against the central light wall.
Waiters in sleek tuxedos carried trays of expensive champagne between groups of wealthy businessmen.
Seven-year-old Lily stood near a large dessert table set up near the edge of the ballroom.
She wore a simple beige dress that her late mother had bought for her last year.
Her small hand reached toward a golden dessert tray filled with fresh fruit tarts.
She had not eaten anything since the long car ride to her father's estate earlier that afternoon.
A woman in a tight cream dress stepped up beside the dessert table with a cold smile.
Her name was Victoria, and she had recently married into the powerful Vance family business.
Victoria looked down at the little girl with pure disgust in her eyes.
She forcefully snatched the dessert plate away before Lily could touch a single pastry.
Lily gasped softly and backed away against the edge of the tablecloth.
Victoria leaned down close to the young girl's ear with a harsh glare.
Victoria: You do not touch anything in this house without my explicit permission first.
Lily felt tears welling up in her eyes as the harsh words hit her like a ice cold wave.
Lily: I was just hungry, Victoria.
Victoria: You are a spoiled little girl who needs to learn her proper place.
Victoria grabbed Lily roughly by her arm and pulled her backward away from the table.
The force caused Lily to drop her small purse onto the cold marble floor.
Lily burst into loud tears under the shadow of the giant American flag.
Several businessmen in expensive suits turned around to look at the scene.
A man standing near the bar started laughing mockingly at the crying child.
His name was Julian, and he was Victoria's brother who handled company money.
Julian: Looks like the little princess is throwing a little tantrum again!
Victoria laughed along with him while looking down at the sobbing child.
Nobody in the crowd stepped forward to help the small girl.
Lily covered her face with her tiny hands as tears ran down her cheeks.
She felt completely alone in the massive room filled with cold strangers.
She wished her father was there to hold her and keep her safe.
Victoria leaned over Lily once more to scold her even further.
She pointed her long finger directly at the weeping young girl.
Victoria: Stop crying right now before you embarrass us all further!
Lily could only sob harder as the cold room seemed to close in around her.