The morning arrived with a thick fog hanging over the mansion lawn.
Mark walked down the polished stairs while holding his leather briefcase.
His lawyer, David, was waiting near the grand entrance door.
David: The board meeting is scheduled for ten this morning, Mark.
Mark: Is the deed transfer ready for the trust fund signature?
David: Yes, but we need the original deed from your vault.
Mark placed his hand against his coat pocket where the key rested.
He felt a strange sense of uneasiness settled deep in his stomach.
Victoria walked out from the dining room with a calm expression.
Victoria: Are you leaving for the city so early today, Mark?
Mark: Yes, David and I have urgent business at the bank.
Victoria: Take your time, dear, Leo and I will be fine.
Her smooth voice sounded almost too sweet to be genuine.
Mark glanced at David, who gave a brief nod of agreement.
They stepped outside into the chilly air and entered the sedan.
As the car pulled away, Mark watched the grand mansion shrink.
Victoria stood near the high arched doorway watching the car leave.
Once the iron gate closed, she turned around with quick speed.
She marched directly upstairs toward Mark's locked private study.
She pulled out her duplicate key and inserted it into the lock.
The heavy oak door swung open with a soft metallic click.
Victoria rushed to the desk and began searching through every drawer.
She pulled out folder after folder, looking for the main title deed.
Victoria: Where did he hide the final signature paper?
Meanwhile, Mark sat inside the moving car feeling deeply unsettled.
He opened his briefcase to review his meeting presentation notes.
That was when he noticed his private vault code sheet was missing.
His heart thumped loudly against his chest in sudden panic.
Mark: David, turn the car around right now!
David: What is wrong, Mark? We will be late.
Mark: Someone took the master security pass from my bag!
The driver slammed on the brakes and made a sharp turn.
Mark gripped his cell phone and dialed the mansion landline.
The phone rang repeatedly, but nobody answered the call.
Mark felt fear gripping his chest like a tight iron band.
Mark: Drive faster, David! My son is in that house!