Victoria: Who gave you permission to step onto my property?
Lily: I was just trying to ask for some work, ma'am.
Victoria: Work? Look at yourself. You look like a street urchin.
Lily: I can clean. I can sweep the driveway. I haven't eaten in two days.
Victoria: This is a private estate, not a homeless shelter. Get out before I call security.
Lily: Please, ma'am, just five minutes. That's all I need.
Victoria: You have five seconds to walk toward that gate.
Lily: My feet hurt so much. I walked all the way from the downtown shelter.
Victoria: That is not my concern.
Lily: I'm not asking for money. Just a piece of bread.
Victoria: People like you always start with bread and end up taking the silver.
Lily: I am not a thief!
Victoria: Don't raise your voice in my house!
Victoria took a step closer, her heels clicking loudly against the polished floor.
Lily: I was only standing in the foyer because the door was open.
Victoria: The delivery man left it unlocked. That doesn't give you the right to trespass.
Lily: I am sorry. I will go.
Victoria: Wait. What is that tucked under your arm?
Lily: Nothing, ma'am.
Victoria: Show me your hands right now.
Lily: It's mine, I swear it is.
Victoria: Bring it here!
Lily pulled her arms close to her chest, holding a tiny, battered leather pouch.
Victoria: Where did you get that?
Lily: Someone gave it to me.
Victoria: That looks like high-end calfskin. A beggar child doesn't carry leather like that.
Lily: It's the only thing I have left!
Victoria: You stole it from one of my neighbors, didn't you?
Lily: No! I would never steal anything!
Victoria: Hand it over before I make sure you spend the night in a cell.
Lily: Please, don't take it! It's all I have!
Victoria: You brought this on yourself.
Victoria closed the distance between them with quick, angry strides.
Lily: Stay away from me!
Victoria: Give me that bag right now!
Victoria's arm flew back and came down sharply across the girl's face.
The sound echoed through the high ceilings of the empty hall.
Lily cried out, staggering sideways as her cheek turned bright red.
Lily: Why did you do that?!
Victoria: Because thieves need to learn a lesson in this town!
Lily: I'm not a thief! I'm not!
Victoria: Shut up and let go of the strap!
Victoria yanked the leather bag out of the girl's weak grip.
Lily: Give it back to me! Please!
Victoria: Let's see what else you managed to steal today.
Victoria pulled the zipper open with a sharp, violent jerk.