The polished white marble of the grand Texas foyer echoed with a sickening slap.

Ten-year-old Lily crumpled to the floor, her green cotton dress catching against the stone steps.

Margarethe: You ruined my family's legacy!

Margarethe loomed over her in a copper satin dress, her face red with absolute rage.

Lily: I didn't mean to! It slipped!

Margarethe: That crystal heirloom was worth more than your entire life, you clumsy little brat!

Lily tried to crawl backward toward the tall mahogany front doors, her knees scraping against the hard floor.

Margarethe: Don't you dare crawl away from me when I am speaking to you!

Lily: Daddy! Daddy, help me!

Her voice cracked with pure terror, bouncing off the soaring ceilings and the massive framed American flag hanging on the wall.

From the second-floor hallway, heavy footsteps pounded against the hardwood.

Richard: Lily? Where are you?

Margarethe: Shut your mouth right now, or I swear to God you will regret it!

Margarethe raised her hand again, stepping forward to grab Lily by the collar of her dress.

Lily closed her eyes and raised both arms to protect her face, sobbing uncontrollably.

Richard: Get away from my daughter!

Richard tore down the grand staircase in his black velvet robe, rushing past the two security guards posted near the entryway.

His chest heaved, his face pale with shock as he saw his little girl shivering against the floor.

Lily: Daddy, please don't let her hurt me!

Richard dropped to his knees, wrapping his arms around Lily and pulling her tight against his chest.

Richard: You are safe now, my daughter. I'm right here.

He looked up at his new wife, his jaw clenched so hard the muscles in his neck strained.

Margarethe froze, lowering her hand as her expression flipped from fury to sudden panic.

Margarethe: Richard, it was a complete accident!

Richard stood up slowly, keeping Lily behind his back, his eyes burning straight through her.

And then, Lily reached into her small pocket and pulled out a cracked silver drive nobody was ever supposed to find.