The room felt completely still as the father took another slow step forward.
His polished shoes clicked loudly against the clean marble surface.
Father: Step aside right now, Lily.
Lily: No, I will never let you near her again!
Mother: Richard, the police already know what you did.
The father stopped moving and let out a cold harsh laugh.
Father: You have no phone down there to call anyone.
Maid Martha: I made the call five minutes ago, sir.
Richard turned his head sharply to glare at the old maid.
Father: You betrayed me after forty years of service?
Maid Martha: Locking a human being away is where I draw the line.
Richard reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his phone.
Father: I will have my lawyers fix this whole situation instantly.
Lily: Money cannot save you from what you did to us!
Lily knelt back down to wipe the dust off her mother's face.
Mother: He wanted the entire family real estate company for himself.
Mother: My grandfather left forty percent of the shares to me.
Mother: Richard forged my signature on the transfer papers back then.
Richard pointed his finger directly at his weak wife on the floor.
Father: Nobody will ever believe your word over mine in court!
Father: I am the CEO of the largest firm in this state!
Lily: We have the real documents stored inside the floor hatch!
Richard's jaw dropped as he looked toward the dark opening.
Mother: I kept the original trust fund papers with me all this time.
Richard lunged forward toward the open trapdoor to grab the box.
Lily picked up the heavy steel hammer from the marble floor.
Lily: Do not move another step toward that door!
Richard froze, staring at his young daughter's fierce expressions.
Father: Lily, give me that tool right now.
Lily: Stay away from my mother!