Victoria placed her crystal glass on the side table with a shaky hand that clinked loudly.
She forced a bright smile onto her painted lips and took two quick steps toward her husband.
Victoria: You came home very early, darling. I was not expecting you until tomorrow evening.
Richard: Why are you making my daughter do this work?!
His voice roared through the vast hallway, bouncing off the high ceiling like a thunder stroke.
Victoria flinched backwards as if his loud words were a physical blow to her delicate face.
Victoria: Richard, please let me explain before you jump to any silly wrong conclusions!
Richard: Explain why my child is bleeding and scrubbing floors like a captive worker in my house?!
Sarah slowly lifted herself off the hard floor, her knees trembling under her weight.
Richard rushed forward and wrapped his strong arms around her frail, shivering shoulders instantly.
He pulled her close to his warm coat while staring coldly at Victoria across the room.
Sarah: She told me you did not want me anymore, Papa.
Richard: That is a lie, my sweet girl! I searched everywhere for you every single day!
Sarah buried her face into his chest, her small shoulders shaking with heavy, silent sobs.
Richard felt a deep rage rising inside him as he looked at Victoria's nervous face.
Six months ago, Sarah had vanished from her private boarding school without leaving a single trace.
Victoria had helped manage the search, telling Richard that the police found no good leads.
Now he realized the cruel villain had been living under his own roof all this time.
Victoria backed away toward the fireplace, her nervous smile fading into a look of panic.
Victoria: She came here looking for money, Richard! I only tried to teach her some discipline!