The quiet hallways of the Sterling mansion echoed with the soft hum of the central air. Richard walked through the front doors, adjusting his tie after a long morning at the corporate office.
He expected a peaceful afternoon with his seven-year-old daughter, Lily. Instead, a muffled cry echoed from the second-floor master suite.
Richard: Lily? Where are you, sweetie?
Elena: Mr. Sterling! Thank goodness you are back early!
Richard: What is going on, Elena? Why is the house so quiet?
Elena: Mrs. Evelyn locked the master bathroom doors ten minutes ago. She took Lily inside with her.
Richard: Why would she lock the bathroom doors?
Elena: I heard Lily crying, sir. I tried to open the door, but the lock was engaged from the inside.
Richard felt a cold knot form in his stomach as he hurried up the grand marble staircase. The sound of weeping grew louder with every step.
Upstairs, inside the luxury master bathroom, white marble walls reflected the warm vanity lights. A prominent American flag hung mounted on the background wall above the deep garden bathtub.
Evelyn stood beside the marble counter wearing a silk robe. In her right hand, she clutched a heavy ceramic hair straightener iron, glowing with intense heat.
Seven-year-old Lily sat trapped against the edge of the sink, tears streaming down her pale cheeks as she trembled in fear.
Evelyn: Stop moving right now, you miserable brat!
Lily: Please, Evelyn! It hurts! It's too hot!
Evelyn: You need to learn how to keep your mouth shut when the family lawyers visit!
Lily: Daddy! Help me!
Evelyn: Your father isn't here to save you today, Lily. Hold still!
Evelyn sneered, pressing the glowing hot iron directly against Lily's soft dark hair. The sizzle of burning strands filled the room as smoke rose into the air.
A high-pitched scream of agony tore from Lily's throat as the heat scorched her hair. Outside the double doors, Elena the housemaid grabbed a heavy brass statue from the hallway table, her eyes flashing with pure determination.
Richard pressed his ear against the heavy oak doors, hearing his daughter's screaming from inside the locked room.
Richard: Evelyn! Open this door right now!
Evelyn: Mind your own business, Richard! I'm fixing her hair for the estate dinner!
Lily: Daddy! She's burning me!
Richard: Officer Davis, break down the door!