He Returned Home Early and Found His Wife Forcing His Daughter to Kneel

The Web of Lies Unravels

Catherine's fake smile faltered for a fraction of a second, but she quickly recovered her composure, waving her hand dismissively. She let out a soft, nervous chuckle, attempting to brush off the gravity of the situation. "Oh, Thomas, don't be so dramatic," she said, her voice smooth and manipulative. "Grace was just helping out. I wanted to teach her some basic life skills and humility. You know how spoiled she can be. It was entirely her idea to help clean up the foyer."

From the floor, Grace let out a sharp gasp, shaking her head vigorously. "That's not true!" she sobbed, clutching the scrub brush tightly. "She told me if I didn't clean the entire house before you got back, she would convince you to cancel my college tuition! She said I was nothing but a charity case in this house!"

The revelation hit Thomas like a physical blow. He looked from his distraught daughter to the woman he had married just six months ago. Catherine's wealthy, aristocratic family had always looked down on others, but Thomas had believed she was different. Now, looking at her cold emerald dress and the sneer beginning to form on her lips, he saw her true colors. Catherine crossed her arms, dropping her sweet facade entirely.

"And what if I did?" Catherine hissed, her voice dropping all pretense. "She needs to know her place, Thomas. You brought her into my world, but she doesn't belong here. If you want to keep up appearances in high society, your daughter needs to learn how to serve."

Thomas felt a wave of pure fury wash over him. He walked over to Grace, gently took the scrub brush from her hands, and pulled her up from the wet marble floor. He wrapped his arms around his shaking daughter, holding her close as he stared down his wife with absolute contempt.