Chapter 3: The Punishment No One Expected

Victoria suddenly laughed.

"This is ridiculous."

"You're going to believe servants over your own wife?"

Richard slowly stood.

His expression remained calm.

Almost too calm.

He picked up his phone.

"Bring everyone into the foyer."

Within minutes, security guards, butlers, chefs, gardeners, and every household employee stood in silence.

Richard looked at the head of security.

"How long is surveillance footage stored?"

"One year, sir."

"Good."

Victoria's smile disappeared.

The footage began playing on the massive television mounted above the fireplace.

There was Emily...

Carrying heavy laundry.

Scrubbing staircases.

Eating leftover bread alone in the kitchen.

Sleeping on a narrow servant's bed.

Then another recording appeared.

Victoria slapped the little girl across the face for accidentally breaking a teacup.

The entire staff lowered their heads.

Some quietly cried.

Richard watched every second without blinking.

When the video ended, he turned toward Victoria.

"You told the world you loved my daughter."

"You treated her worse than a stranger."

Victoria reached for his arm.

"Richard... listen to me."

He stepped back.

"No."

He looked toward the family attorney, who had just arrived.

"Prepare the divorce papers."

Victoria froze.

"And transfer every asset that legally belongs to Emily into a protected trust."

Then he faced the security guards.

"Mrs. Victoria is no longer welcome in this house."

"Escort her out."

She screamed.

She begged.

She threatened lawsuits.

Not one person moved to help her.

The mansion doors closed behind her with a final echo.

For the first time in years...

The house felt peaceful.