Arthur stood inside the center of his massive estate and looked around at the pristine white walls.
He had worked hard for over fifteen years to build his prosperous logistics business from scratch.
His young daughter Lily was the absolute light of his life after his late wife passed away.
Then he met Clara at a high-end charity gala six months ago and fell for her charm.
She seemed like a gentle woman who would bring warmth back into his quiet household.
However, Clara only cared about the family trust fund and the massive family mansion.
She saw little Lily as an annoying obstacle standing between her and the full inheritance.
Every time Arthur left for his corporate office, Clara turned into a cold person.
She would snap at the little girl for making any tiny sound in the hallway.
Lily was only seven years old and felt scared inside her own home.
She tried to tell her loving father about the strange comments Clara made every day.
But Clara always intercepted the child and pretended to be the sweetest stepmother alive.
She bought expensive clothes for Lily whenever Arthur was standing right beside them.
It was all a clever performance designed to keep Arthur completely blind to her real intentions.
On a bright Tuesday morning, Arthur decided to work from his home office unexpectedly.
He needed to review an important commercial mortgage contract before the big afternoon meeting.
Clara did not know that Arthur was still inside his private library reading papers.
She walked into the living room and saw Lily playing with a stuffed bear.
Clara: Why are you dragging that filthy toy across my clean floor?
Lily: My late mommy gave me this bear before she went to heaven.
Clara: I do not care who gave it to you, child.
Clara grabbed the soft toy out of the little girl's small hands roughly.
Lily started to cry silently as she reached up to get it back.
Clara: Stop making that terrible noise right now before I give you a reason.
Lily: Please give my bear back to me, Clara!
Clara: You will never see this silly toy again if you disobey me.
She pushed the little girl back toward the hallway door with a cold look.
Lily stumbled slightly on the polished floor but managed to keep her balance.
She ran toward the stairs hoping to find safety inside her bedroom upstairs.
Clara followed right behind her with quick and heavy footsteps on the marble.
Arthur heard the muffled voices coming from the main corridor while reading his file.
He placed his gold pen down on the desk and stood up slowly.
Something inside his gut told him that his young daughter was in trouble.
He walked quietly toward the thick wooden door of his home office.