The polished marble steps of the Sterling family mansion were cold against Lily's bare feet.
Clara: Look at her running away!
Julian: She actually thought she belonged up here with us!
Laughter echoed down from the grand balcony, sharp and cruel under the crystal chandeliers.
Clara: Hey, maid! You forgot to sweep up your cheap tears!
Lily clutched the golden fabric of her borrowed dress, tears blinding her as she stumbled down the steep staircase.
Julian: Drink up, Clara. Watching poor people try to play dress-up is the best entertainment we've had all year.
The champagne glasses clinked together in a high, smug tone that cut right through Lily's chest.
She tripped over the long hem of the gown, her knee slamming hard into the sharp edge of the stone step.
Lily: Ouch... please, no...
Clara: Oh, look! The golden trash fell down!
Julian: Get up and scrub the steps on your way out!
A tall, older man in a heavy black winter coat stepped into the main foyer from the rain outside, his boots clicking softly on the floor.
Arthur: Lily?
Lily gasped, holding her bleeding knee as she looked up through her swollen, red eyes.
Lily: Dad... don't look at me. Please just go back to the car.
Arthur Vance froze in the center of the grand entryway, his eyes drifting from his weeping daughter on the cold stairs up to the laughing couple on the balcony above.
Julian: Who let the old driver inside? Hey, old man! Take your crying trash home!
Clara: Look at his coat! He's dripping water all over the imported marble!
Arthur’s jaw clenched so hard the muscles in his neck turned tight and rigid.
Arthur: How dare you humiliate my daughter!
His voice thundered through the three-story estate, shaking the glass ornaments on the nearby tables.
Julian: What did you just say to me, old man?
Arthur: I said... how dare you!
Before the security guards at the door could react, Arthur charged up the marble staircase, his eyes locked onto the couple holding champagne glasses.
Lily reached out from the steps, her hand shaking violently.
Lily: Dad, wait! Stop! They own this place!
Arthur didn't slow down for a second, his heavy coat flying behind him as he reached the top landing, and the young couple had no idea whose empire they were actually standing in.