The grand foyer of the Vance estate smelled heavily of expensive lilies and polished mahogany wood.
Clara stood near the archway, carefully smoothing the fabric of her light blue satin dress.
She was six months pregnant, and the cool morning air made her feel slightly dizzy.
Her sister-in-law, Chloe, was adjusting her white bridal gown in front of a giant gold mirror.
Evelyn Vance, the cold matriarch of the family, walked briskly into the bright room.
She carried a velvet jewelry box that was completely empty.
Evelyn: Where is my diamond heirloom necklace?
Clara turned around slowly and looked at the older woman with confusion.
Clara: I have no idea, Mrs. Vance.
Evelyn: You were the only person near my dressing table five minutes ago!
Clara: I only went inside to drop off the flowers you requested.
Chloe: Mother, are you sure you did not misplace it somewhere else?
Evelyn: I placed it right on the velvet tray before going downstairs!
Evelyn stepped closer to Clara and grabbed Clara's leather handbag from the table.
Clara gasped in shock as Evelyn dumped the contents across the marble floor.
Clara: Please do not touch my personal items like that!
Evelyn: Search her bag carefully, Chloe!
Chloe: We have to check everything to be completely sure, Clara.
Clara: This is ridiculous and deeply hurtful to me.
Evelyn: Honest people have nothing to hide from this family!
Clara backed away toward the grand staircase, feeling tears burn in her eyes.
She held her small pregnant stomach gently to calm her racing heart.
Clara: I have respected your home since the day my brother married Chloe.
Evelyn: Respect does not pay for a missing fifty-thousand-dollar necklace!
Chloe: Just let us look through your purse so we can move on.
Clara: You are accusing me simply because my family comes from humble beginnings.
Evelyn: Your background speaks for itself in situations like this!
Clara reached into her coat pocket and grabbed her mobile phone.
Her fingers trembled as she searched for her father's direct contact number.
Clara: I am calling someone who will actually protect me.
Evelyn: Call whoever you want, but nobody leaves this foyer!
Clara pressed the call button and brought the phone to her ear.
Clara: Dad, it is time.
Arthur: Stay exactly where you are, sweetheart.
Clara: They are treating me like a criminal in front of everyone.
Arthur: I am already pulling into their driveway with our legal team.