Chapter 1 – The Foyer

The Red Light
The cracked tablet lit up on the marble table just as the officers tried to pull Isabella toward the open front door. Eight-year-old Maya had both arms locked around the nanny's waist, her face pressed into the charcoal fabric of Isabella's dress. The grand foyer of the Vale house shone beneath the chandelier, too polished for the sound of a child crying.
"Ma'am, you need to let go," Officer Daniel Hart said, lowering his voice so he would not frighten her more.
Maya only tightened her grip. "No. Bella stays."
Across the foyer, Leon Vale stood at the foot of the staircase with one hand resting on his cane. He looked calm, sorrowful, and offended in the way only rich men learned to look when surrounded by witnesses. Guests from the dinner party hovered behind him. Staff stood by the hall. No one moved.
"She stole my wife's sapphire key pendant," Leon said gently. "And she has spent months poisoning my granddaughter against this family. Please remove her before she causes another scene."
Isabella's face was pale, but her voice stayed steady. "Please don't leave her with him."
That was the first thing that made Lead Officer Sophia Reyes pause. Isabella had not begged for herself. She had looked straight past the accusation and toward Leon.
Then Maya turned, sobbing, and pointed toward the marble table.
"He hates the red light."