Julian felt a cold shiver run straight down his spine in that frozen moment.
He looked from his young daughter's clear eyes up to his fiancee's pale face.
Victoria took a quick step back toward the grand marble staircase behind her.
Her hand trembled slightly against the soft fabric of her pink baby bump.
Julian: What is she talking about?
Victoria: Julian, honey, she is just playing a silly game.
Victoria: You know how children make up wild stories when they want attention.
Maya shook her head firmly and took two steps closer to her father.
She had never lied to her father before in her whole short life.
Maya: It was on the floor in the guest room, Daddy.
Maya: It looked like a big squishy pillow made of silicone skin.
Victoria's eyes widened in sheer terror as the crowd whispered among themselves.
Several prominent family members stepped closer to hear every single spoken word.
Julian's wealthy mother put down her champagne glass on a passing tray.
Her sharp eyes fixed on Victoria with deep suspicion and cold authority.
Julian slowly dropped down to one knee in front of his little girl.
He placed his large hands gently on Maya's tiny, soft shoulders.
Julian: Show me where she hid it.
Maya: I can show you right now.
Maya gripped her father's thumb and turned toward the wide staircase.
Julian stood up abruptly and faced Victoria with a terrifyingly dark gaze.
Victoria stumbled backward as if she had been hit by an invisible wave.
The fake pregnant woman clutched her silk dress as her heart pounded wildly.