The grand hall of the estate was a masterpiece of architectural arrogance.

Gold-leaf columns rose to meet a vaulted ceiling, supporting a massive crystal chandelier that weighed over two tons.

Beneath it lay a geometric marvel of a marble floor, designed to make anyone standing on it feel small and insignificant.

I had been running down the second-floor corridor when I heard the commotion.

It was Maria, the young maid, her voice tearing through the quiet afternoon like shattered glass.

I rounded the corner and saw her standing near the ornate railing of the interior balcony.

Her mouth was open in a perfect 'O' of absolute horror.

She wasn't looking at me.

She was staring at the elderly housekeeper, Mrs. Gable, who stood near the edge.

Mrs. Gable’s face was as unreadable as an ancient text.

She wore her crisp black-and-white uniform with military precision.

Beside her stood my mother, Eleanor, holding Lily.

“Let her go!” I screamed, sprinting toward the railing.

Eleanor turned her head slowly, her expression completely devoid of emotion.

It was the same look of cold calculation Vance had shown me on the tablet.

Lily was crying, reaching out for me with desperate, grabbing hands.

“You have always been too emotional, Clara,” Eleanor said, her voice carrying effortlessly over the vast, echoing space.

“It makes you weak.”

I lunged forward, desperate to close the distance between us.

Mrs. Gable stepped into my path, a living blockade of stiff fabric and stoic loyalty.

I tried to shove past her, but the older woman was surprisingly strong.

“Do not interfere, miss,” Mrs. Gable warned in a hushed, chilling tone.

I saw Eleanor loosen her grip slightly on Lily’s arm, holding her dangerously close to the edge of the balustrade.

The drop was at least forty feet to the hard, patterned marble below.

“Mother, please!” I begged, tears blurring my vision.

“Take me instead.”

Eleanor smiled, a thin, cruel line across her face.

“That was always the plan, darling.”

She suddenly thrust Lily backward, away from the edge, tossing her roughly into the arms of a waiting security guard.

In the same fluid motion, Eleanor stepped forward and grabbed the front of my white dress.

I didn't even have time to scream as the world tilted violently.

The polished marble railing hit the back of my knees.

I lost my balance.

Gravity took over, and I was falling backward over the edge.