Richard Vance stood near the floor to ceiling glass windows of his high rise corporate executive office downtown.
He was a self made real estate tycoon who managed a multi million dollar property management empire across the country.
His phone buzzed repeatedly on the dark polished walnut desk behind him during the quiet morning hours.
He ignored the incoming calls because he was thinking deeply about his seven year old daughter named Lily.
Ever since his first wife passed away three years ago, Lily had become his entire universe and purpose.
He had recently remarried a beautiful socialite named Victoria who promised to love Lily like her own daughter.
Victoria appeared to be the perfect stepmother whenever Richard was watching them interact inside their luxury estate.
She bought Lily designer clothing and showered her with expensive soft toys every single weekend afternoon.
Yet deep inside his heart, Richard felt an unsettling sense of doubt that he could not easily explain.
His house maid Mary had served his family loyally for over fifteen years with total dedication and care.
Mary had watched Lily grow up from a quiet newborn baby into a sweet young elementary school student.
Lately, Mary looked deeply exhausted and nervous whenever Victoria walked into the grand kitchen area.
Richard noticed how Mary stayed quiet whenever he asked her if everything was going well at home.
He decided to leave his office early that morning to surprise his family with lunch together.
He grabbed his leather briefcase and walked out of the corporate suite toward the private executive elevator.
The drive back to his gated suburban neighborhood was usually very peaceful and quiet during midday hours.
He turned his luxury sedan into the long winding driveway lined with blooming white roses and tall trees.
The grand mansion looked completely peaceful under the bright blue afternoon sky as he parked his car.
He pulled his keys from his pocket and stepped toward the massive mahogany double front doors.
He had no idea that his entire world was about to change inside those quiet white marble hallway walls.