The crystal chandeliers shook as hundreds of high-society guests raised their champagne flutes across the grand marble ballroom.
Elena: Excuse me, sir. Just refreshing the napkins on table four.
Guest: Keep moving. We are in the middle of a private conversation.
Elena stepped back quietly, clutching her tray against her crisp black-and-white uniform while looking toward the polished floor.
Elena: Of course. Forgive me.
She turned toward the dimly lit service corridor when a muffled, scratching sound scraped through the brass floor vent.
Voice Behind Wall: Please... let me out! It hurts!
Elena froze, her heart hammering against her ribs as the chilling whisper cut straight through the classical orchestra music.
Elena: Is somebody in there? Who is that?
Voice Behind Wall: She locked the hatch! She said my dad would never find me here!
Elena knelt down instantly on the icy stone, pressing her ear right against the heavy brass grille.
Elena: Don't move, sweetie. Can you reach your fingers through?
Two tiny, trembling hands poked through the narrow metal slats, covered in gray dust and fresh blood.
Elena: Oh my God. You're bleeding.
Voice Behind Wall: I banged until my hands cracked. She told me to stay quiet or I'd never eat again.
Elena grabbed the decorative vent screws, her fingers tearing as she ripped the loose frame away with raw adrenaline.
Elena: Hold on, I got you!
She pulled the boy into the bright light, his tear-streaked face pale and hollow, his seven-year-old body shaking violently.
Julian: She said my daddy died, but he didn't. He's here tonight!
Before Elena could stand, sharp heels clicked loudly on the marble tiles behind her, followed by a cold, venomous gasp.
Victoria: Put him back right now, you filthy maid!
Elena looked up into the ice-blue eyes of Julian's stepmother, realizing the nightmare had only just begun.
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