The limited edition Rolls Royce glided to a graceful stop in front of the sprawling mansion, its polished exterior gleaming in the sunlight. With practiced ease, a handsome man emerged from the driver's seat, extending a chivalrous hand to assist his elegantly attired wife out of the luxurious vehicle.
"Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey, you can't imagine what an honor it is to have you at my humble abode," Mr. Heath exclaimed, his enthusiasm palpable as he greeted the distinguished couple.
As Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey surveyed the grandeur of the mansion before them, they couldn't help but exchange a bemused glance. Humble? They thought incredulously, their eyes tracing the intricate details of the imposing structure.
Behind Mr. Heath stood his wife and daughter, their expressions mirroring his excitement as they awaited the arrival of their esteemed guests. Yet, beneath their facade of hospitality, Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey detected a glimmer of avarice lurking within their gazes, a subtle greed that left a sour taste in their mouths.
"Please come inside," Mrs. Heath beckoned, her voice dripping with warmth and hospitality.
"No need. My son is here, could you call him out?" Mrs. Humphrey interjected, her tone frosty as she cut through the air with a palpable chill.
The Heaths exchanged puzzled glances, confusion etching lines of bewilderment upon their faces. "Your son? I'm sorry, but he's never been here," Mr. Heath replied, his brow furrowing in perplexity.
"What are you talking about? My son comes here regularly to visit your daughter," Mr. Humphrey retorted, his tone tinged with exasperation as he struggled to make sense of the situation.
Kezia Heath, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Heath, stepped forward, her demeanor a mix of uncertainty and apprehension. "I'm sorry, but your son has never visited me," she confessed, her voice tinged with sincerity.
Mrs. Humphrey's gaze turned icy as she fixed her glare upon Kezia. "This is your daughter?" she questioned coldly, her tone dripping with disdain.
Mr. Heath nodded in affirmation, a sense of unease settling over him as he anticipated the impending confrontation.
"You don't have any other children?" Mr. Humphrey's inquiry cut through the tension, his voice tinged with a hint of skepticism.
"No, we don't," Mrs. Heath interjected hastily, her words rushed as she sought to divert attention away from the truth.
But before Mr. Heath could respond, Mrs. Humphrey's anger erupted like a tempest, her frustration palpable in the air. "Then who is the blind girl my son has been visiting?" she demanded, her voice trembling with indignation.
Sensing the rising tension, Mr. Humphrey intervened, his hand gently patting his wife's back in a silent gesture of reassurance. "Let's go, this is a waste of our time," he urged, his tone calm yet firm.
But Mr. Heath, gripped by desperation stopped them. "Wait," he interjected, his voice quivering with uncertainty.
As the Humphreys turned back to face him, Mr. Heath's confession hung heavy in the air like a shroud of shame. "I do have a blind daughter," he admitted reluctantly, his gaze averted as he struggled to meet their accusing stares.
"Why didn't you mention her earlier?" Mrs. Humphrey's voice dripped with anger, her displeasure evident in the furrow of her brow.
Mr. Heath's shoulders sagged beneath the weight of his guilt as he uttered his next words, "She's not a child of my wife."
A heavy silence settled over the room as Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey exchanged incredulous glances, disbelief painting their features with a mix of disdain and revulsion. To associate with those of low birth was beneath them, a notion they held with unwavering conviction.
"Lead us there," Mr. Humphrey's voice was terse, his frustration palpable as he motioned for Mr. Heath to guide them to his illegitimate daughter.