Chapter 5 - The Thief in the Night
Leo instinctively jumped to his feet, placing his small body firmly between the towering security chief and the trembling girl.
“I don't know what you're talking about,” Leo lied smoothly, subtly pressing his pocket to ensure the drawing was safely hidden.
Vance smiled cruelly, revealing a row of yellowed teeth as he casually tapped the heavy iron crowbar against his own scarred leg.
“Victoria saw the brat hand you something through the glass, and I’m here to make sure you aren't stealing family heirlooms,” Vance sneered, taking a slow, heavy step forward.
Before Vance could swing his weapon, Daniel stormed into the sunroom, his face flushed red with absolute fury.
“What exactly is going on in here, Vance?” Daniel demanded, looking wildly between the aggressive security guard and the defensive little boy.
Vance instantly dropped the heavy crowbar to the carpet, seamlessly shifting his terrifying demeanor into that of a loyal, concerned employee.
“I caught the street rat trying to steal from you, sir,” Vance lied effortlessly, pointing a massive, accusing finger directly at Leo.
“I was doing my routine patrol when I saw him slipping Victoria’s missing diamond bracelet into his dirty pocket.”
Daniel’s expression shifted from protective anger to deep, agonizing confusion as he looked down at Leo.
“Is this true, Leo?” Daniel asked quietly, clearly desperate for the boy to deny the horrible accusation.
“No, I didn't take anything!” Leo shouted defensively, his hands balling into tight fists at his sides.
Without warning, Vance violently grabbed Leo by the collar, forcefully shoving his large hand into the boy's left pocket.
With a triumphant smirk, Vance pulled his hand out, holding up a glittering, incredibly expensive diamond bracelet for Daniel to see.
Leo gasped in absolute shock, realizing the brutal security guard must have planted the jewelry on him during the chaotic struggle in the ballroom three nights ago.
Daniel’s shoulders slumped in utter defeat, the fragile trust he had built with the boy shattering instantly into a million pieces.
“I trusted you, Leo,” Daniel whispered, his voice cracking with a fresh wave of heartbreaking disappointment.
“Pack whatever belongs to you and get out of my house before I call the police and have you arrested.”
Vance grinned maliciously, violently shoving Leo toward the heavy sunroom doors.
Suddenly, a sharp, incredibly clear voice cut through the tense atmosphere of the room like a crack of a beautiful whip.
“He didn't steal it!”
Daniel, Vance, and Leo all froze instantly, spinning around to look at the fragile girl sitting in the wheelchair.
Emily was gripping the wheels of her chair, her face flushed with a sudden, powerful surge of defiant bravery.
“He didn't steal it, the man with the scar put it in his pocket when he grabbed him!” Emily shouted, her voice ringing perfectly clear for the first time in three agonizing years.
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Before Daniel could even process the absolute miracle of his daughter speaking a full, flawless sentence, the lights in the entire mansion violently flickered and completely died.
In the sudden, suffocating pitch-black darkness, the distinct, terrifying sound of a heavy pistol being cocked echoed loudly through the room.
