My Stepmother Forced Me to Clean on Hands and Knees, but My Father’s Partner Had Other Plans

The grand vestibule of the Sterling estate was a monument to wealth, boasting towering white marble pillars and high-contrast luxury tones that reflected the afternoon light. It was supposed to be a day of celebration, but for Alice, it was a waking nightmare. Dressed in a simple peach dress that contrasted sharply with the opulent surroundings, she was on her hands and knees, scrubbing a sticky spill off the cold marble floor. Above her stood Elizabeth, her stepmother, draped in a lavender satin gown, holding a crystal glass with a smug, self-satisfied grin.

"She's just doing what she's good at, cleaning," Elizabeth drawled to the entering guests, her voice dripping with condescension. She took a slow sip of her drink, basking in the humiliation she was inflicting on the daughter of her late husband.

But the heavy mahogany doors opened, and William entered. A tall, imposing man in a sharp dark brown suit, carrying a slim leather briefcase, William had been Arthur's closest friend and business partner. He stopped in his tracks, his eyes locking onto Alice. The shock on his face quickly melted into a deep, burning fury.

"William!" Elizabeth gasped, her smile faltering slightly at the intensity of his gaze. "We were just—"

William didn't let her finish. He pulled his phone from his pocket, pressed it to his ear, and spoke with a cold, commanding authority that silenced the entire room.

"Cancel everything. Now!"

Elizabeth stared at him, her face twisting in confusion. "What?" she asked, her voice cracking.

William lowered the phone slightly, his eyes boring into hers.

"This house is no longer yours,"

he said, each word dropping like a block of ice.

Elizabeth's face fell in utter disbelief. Alice looked up from the wet floor, her tear-filled eyes wide with hope and shock, while William maintained his stern, unyielding glare.