A Wealthy Father Comes Home Early and Finds His Estranged Daughter Scrubbing His Floors — Part 2

Previously: When Arthur returned to his luxury estate early, the last person he expected to see kneeling on his foyer floor was his long-lost daughter, Emily—hired by his own wife.

A Web of Cruel Lies

Arthur looked from his wife's smug expression to his daughter's trembling, soapy hands. A toxic mixture of confusion and boiling rage welled up inside him.

"What is the meaning of this, Eleanor?"

he demanded, his voice shaking with a dangerous intensity. He walked over to Emily, grabbing her by the shoulders and gently forcing her to stand. She refused to meet his eyes, staring at her worn-out sneakers.

Eleanor took a slow sip of her wine, her expression completely unbothered.

"Well, Arthur, she needed a job, and we needed a new maid. I was simply being charitable to your estranged, struggling child. She couldn't even pay her rent, you know."

Emily let out a bitter, choked laugh, finally looking up. The fear in her eyes had turned into a fierce, defensive anger.

"Charitable? You cut me off, Eleanor! You told my father I wanted nothing to do with him, and then you secretly threatened to sue me for the money he had gifted me for college!"

Arthur stared at his daughter, his mind racing. Two years ago, Eleanor had shown him emails allegedly written by Emily, stating she hated him, wanted his money, and was cutting all ties. Heartbroken, Arthur had let her go. Now, the horrifying truth was unraveling before his eyes.

Emily continued, tears streaming down her face.

"She intercepted my letters to you, Dad. When I dropped out because I couldn't afford tuition, I was desperate. Last week, she contacted me, saying she would help pay off my debts if I worked off the balance here, as her personal maid. She wanted to humiliate me."

Arthur turned to Eleanor, his face pale with shock. The woman he had married, whom he thought was a supportive partner, had systematically isolated his only child and forced her into domestic servitude just to satisfy her own cruel, vindictive streak.