Father Returns Home Early to Find His Beloved Daughter Kneeling in a Maid Uniform

The Web of Lies Unravels

The tension in the grand hall was suffocating. Beatrice tried to laugh, a high-pitched, nervous sound that echoed off the high ceilings. She reached out to touch James’s arm, but he coldly stepped back, refusing her touch. Her hand hovered in the air before she pulled it back, trying to regain her composure.

"Oh, darling, don't be so dramatic," Beatrice lied smoothly. "Olivia was just helping out. She insisted on doing some chores to understand the value of hard work. You know how spoiled she can be."

Olivia stood up, her body shaking as she pointed a soapy finger at her stepmother.

"That's a lie!" Olivia screamed, the fear finally giving way to absolute fury. "Dad, she told me you went completely bankrupt! She said you couldn't afford my art school tuition anymore, and that the only way we could keep this house was if I worked as a servant to cut down on staff costs!"

James’s chest tightened. He looked at his daughter, his heart breaking. He had sent Olivia's tuition money weeks ago. He had tried to call her every day, but Beatrice had told him Olivia was too busy with her exams to speak.

"She took my phone, Dad," Olivia sobbed. "She said if I tried to contact you, she would make sure you divorced me too and left me with nothing. I was so scared."

James turned slowly to face Beatrice, his eyes burning with a quiet, terrifying rage. Beatrice’s fake smile finally crumbled, replaced by a sneer. Realizing the game was up, she crossed her arms defiantly.

"So what if I did?" Beatrice hissed. "You're married to me now, James. If you try to throw me out, my lawyers will take half of everything you own. You'll be ruined anyway!"