A Father Returns Home Early to Find His Daughter Kneeling on the Floor
Previously: When Richard walked into his opulent estate early, he expected a peaceful evening. Instead, he found his beloved daughter Chloe on her knees, scrubbing the floor under his wife's cruel gaze.
The Mask Slips
Eleanor's perfect smile flickered for a fraction of a second before she recovered her composure. She let out a soft, dismissive laugh, waving her hand in the air.
"Oh, Richard, don't be so dramatic. Chloe was just helping out. The cleaning staff had the night off, and she volunteered to tidy up. You know how clumsy she can be; she probably just got overwhelmed."
But Richard was not a man easily fooled. He stepped past his wife, ignoring her outstretched hand, and knelt down on the cold granite beside Chloe. He gently took the scrubbing brush from her hand and threw it aside, pulling his daughter into a fierce, protective embrace. He could feel her entire body shaking against him.
"Tell me the truth, Chloe,"Richard whispered, his heart breaking as he looked at her worn-out clothes.
"How long has this been going on?"
Chloe looked at Eleanor, whose eyes had turned menacing, silently warning her to stay quiet. But with her father's arms around her, Chloe found a sudden burst of courage.
"Ever since you started traveling for the merger, Dad,"Chloe sobbed.
"She took my car keys, locked me out of my room, and made me sleep in the servant's quarters. She said if I told you, she would use her family's shares to ruin your company. She threatened to destroy everything you worked for."
Richard's jaw clenched. The pieces of the puzzle finally fell into place. He had noticed Chloe becoming increasingly quiet and distant over the past few months, but Eleanor had always assured him that Chloe was just going through a phase. Now, the horrific truth was laid bare. He stood up slowly, turning to face his wife, his eyes burning with a silent, furious rage. The woman he had married was a monster.
”The woman he had married was a monster.