The air in the grand marble foyer of the Vance estate was thick, cold, and suffocating[span_0](start_span)[span_0](end_span). Eight-year-old Lily sat on the polished floor in her faded pink pajamas, pressing a plastic nebulizer mask over her own small face[span_1](start_span)[span_1](end_span). Her chest heaved with every shaky breath[span_2](start_span)[span_2](end_span). Across the room, Julian Vance—the forty-two-year-old billionaire owner of Vance Enterprises—collapses onto his back, clutching his throat wildly[span_3](start_span)[span_3](end_span).

Julian: I can’t… breathe… my medication…

Lily: Mister, stop moving! You’re choking!

Lily crawled across the cold white tile, dragging her portable machine with her[span_4](start_span)[span_4](end_span). She pressed the mask against Julian’s mouth, sealing it tight[span_5](start_span)[span_5](end_span). He gasped hard, pulling in the mist, his dark eyes staring up at her in shock[span_6](start_span)[span_6](end_span).

Julian: Who… who are you? Where did you come from?

Lily: My mom brought me here to work. She said we had to hide.

Standing in the hallway in a flowing silk robe, Julian’s stepmother, Eleanor Vance, gasped in terror[span_7](start_span)[span_7](end_span). But behind her, standing deep in the shadow of the grand staircase, Julian’s uncle Richard watched with a cold, unblinking glare[span_8](start_span)[span_8](end_span). As Julian sat up, his hand brushed against a silver locket hanging around Lily’s neck[span_9](start_span)[span_9](end_span). The silver cover popped open, revealing a tiny, faded photograph[span_10](start_span)[span_10](end_span).

Julian: Where did you get this locket, child?

Lily: It was my grandmother’s. My mom said it holds our family secret.

Julian: This isn't just any secret. This belonged to my late sister who disappeared seven years ago.

Richard: Julian, don't listen to that peasant child! Get her out of this mansion!

Julian: Shut up, Richard. Look at this photo. Look at her eyes. Who sent you here tonight, Lily?