My Wealthy Wife Forced My Long-Lost Daughter to Scrub Floors on Her First Day — Part 2

Previously: When George returned home early to find his newly found daughter sobbing on her knees while his cruel wife watched, a dark family secret finally came to light.

The Mask Slips

Penelope’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second, but she quickly recovered her poise, letting out a soft, dismissive laugh.

"Oh, George, don't be so dramatic," Penelope said, waving her hand casually. "The girl has no manners. She needs to learn the value of hard work if she’s going to live under my roof. I was simply giving her a little lesson in humility."

Lauren shook her head frantically, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her coarse maid uniform.

"That's not true, Dad," Lauren sobbed, standing up on trembling legs. "She took my suitcase, threw my clothes into the trash, and told me that if I didn't clean the entire house from top to bottom, she would make sure you sent me back to the streets."

The air in the foyer grew suffocatingly cold. George looked at his daughter, seeing the ghost of the woman he had loved and lost years ago—Lauren’s late mother, a kind-hearted woman Penelope had always secretly resented. Penelope had married George for his status, but more than that, she coveted the absolute control she held over his life. Lauren’s sudden return threatened that control, and Penelope was determined to break the girl’s spirit before she could claim her rightful place in the family.

"She is my daughter, Penelope," George whispered, his hands trembling with a mixture of rage and grief. "She is the heir to this estate. Not an employee."

Penelope’s eyes narrowed, the last traces of her elegant facade dissolving into pure malice.

"An heir?" Penelope sneered, her voice echoing off the marble. "She is a charity case! You signed a prenuptial agreement, George. Half of everything in this house belongs to my family's trust. If you try to defy me, I will divorce you and ruin you. Your precious daughter will end up right back where you found her—in the gutter."

She believed she held all the cards, confident that George would choose his wealth over a daughter he had only just recovered. But Penelope had severely underestimated the depth of a father's guilt and love.