Chapter 2: The Truth Behind the Marble Floor

No one moved.

Richard's voice had not risen.

It didn't need to.

"Stand up, Emily."

The little girl slowly rose to her feet, clutching the damp cleaning cloth against her chest. Her oversized maid's uniform hung loosely from her thin shoulders.

Richard stared at her for several long seconds.

"Who put you in that uniform?"

Emily lowered her eyes.

"I... I wasn't supposed to tell."

Victoria forced an uneasy smile.

"Richard, you're misunderstanding everything."

His eyes never left his daughter.

"I wasn't speaking to you."

The room became unbearably still.

Emily's voice barely rose above a whisper.

"Mrs. Victoria said... if I wanted to stay in this house, I had to earn my place."

Richard slowly knelt in front of his daughter.

His expensive suit touched the wet marble floor without hesitation.

He gently brushed a strand of hair away from Emily's face.

"Look at me."

She did.

"When was the last time you ate dinner with the family?"

Emily hesitated.

"I... I don't remember."

Richard's jaw tightened.

He had spent months traveling overseas, believing every phone call from Victoria.

She had always assured him Emily was happy.

That she had everything she needed.

He had believed every lie.

The elderly housemaid suddenly stepped forward, tears filling her eyes.

"Sir... forgive me."

Victoria turned pale.

The maid bowed her head.

"Miss Emily has been cleaning every day."

"She sleeps in the old servant's room."

"She eats after everyone else."

"And if she cried..."

The woman stopped herself.

Richard looked at her quietly.

"Finish."

"...Mrs. Victoria locked her in the storage room until she stopped."

Emily immediately grabbed Richard's sleeve.

"Please don't fire Martha."

"She was the only one who was kind to me."

Something inside Richard shattered.

For the first time in years...

The billionaire father realized he hadn't failed in business.

He had failed his daughter.