Arthur adjusted his silk tie as his driver pulled into the long winding driveway of his estate.
The giant stone mansion stood tall against the clear blue morning sky.
He had finished his business meetings two days earlier than his family expected.
Arthur smiled quietly to himself, thinking about the surprise morning breakfast he planned to share with them.
He carried his heavy leather briefcase up the front steps and unlocked the grand front door.
The foyer was silent except for the soft ticking of the ancient grandfather clock in the corner.
Arthur set his briefcase onto the polished floor with a muffled thump.
He noticed a faint sound of muffled crying coming from the formal dining area.
He frowned and walked softly across the thick carpets toward the hallway.
As he turned the corner, his heart stopped at the unexpected sight before him.
His sixteen-year-old daughter Lily was on her knees on the cold marble floor.
She was wearing a frayed maid uniform that was far too large for her thin frame.
Red marks and visible scratches covered her pale arms and wrists.
She was wiping the floor with a dirty rag, her shoulders shaking with heavy sobs.
Lily: Dad... you are home early.
Arthur dropped his keys onto the floor as pure shock washed over him.
He stared at his beloved daughter in complete horror and disbelief.
Arthur: Lily, what is happening here?
Lily: I am sorry, Dad, I am trying to finish before she gets angry again.
Arthur rushed forward and knelt down right beside his weeping daughter.
He gently took the dirty cleaning rag out of her trembling hands.
Arthur: Who did this to you, sweetheart?
Lily: She made me clean the entire house since sunrise.
Arthur wrapped his arms around his daughter and held her tightly against his chest.
He could feel her trembling body as she wept into his dark wool suit jacket.
At that moment, the sound of heels clicking on marble echoed down the hallway.
Victoria walked into the room holding a tall glass of sparkling juice.
She wore an expensive dark plum dress and looked completely unbothered.
Victoria: Oh, darling, you are home early! I did not expect you until Friday night!
Arthur stood up slowly, his eyes burning with intense anger.
Arthur: Why is my daughter wearing a maid uniform and weeping on the floor?
Victoria blinked quickly and took a small sip from her glass.
Victoria: Now, Arthur, do not make a grand scene out of nothing.
Arthur: Look at her hands! Look at her clothes!
Victoria: She was just learning some basic household responsibilities, that is all.
Lily: That is not true! She locked me in the pantry overnight!
Arthur turned back to his wife, his face pale with rage.
Arthur: Is this how you treat my child the moment my back is turned?
Victoria: She is exaggerating because she does not like my household rules!
Arthur: You will answer every single question I have right now.