The Maid on the Floor Was His Millionaire Daughter

CHAPTER 2 -- The Rules of the House

Three months earlier, Emily had returned to Caldwell House after ending her engagement.

Her mother had left the property to her through a protected trust. Richard could live there for life, but no one--not even he--could sell or mortgage it without Emily's written approval.

Victoria had always hated that arrangement.

At first, she behaved like a concerned stepmother.

She prepared Emily's meals, arranged therapy appointments and offered to manage her correspondence. Then she began creating rules.

Emily surrendered her phone at night.

She was forbidden to contact the family attorney.

When she questioned household bills, Victoria dismissed the staff and ordered Emily to perform their work.

"You've lived like a princess long enough," Victoria told her. "Perhaps scrubbing floors will teach you gratitude."

Emily threatened to call Richard.

Victoria placed forged bank statements in front of her.

They appeared to show that Richard had secretly moved company money into Emily's accounts.

"If auditors find these, your father will go to prison," Victoria said. "Do as I say, and I can make them disappear."

Terrified, Emily obeyed.

Victoria monitored every video call with Richard. She chose Emily's clothing, prepared her answers and stood behind the camera.

Whenever Emily tried to warn him, Victoria silently lifted the forged statements.

Richard had sensed something was wrong. Emily's messages had become formal. She stopped calling him "Dad" and began signing texts with her full name.

That was why he returned two weeks early without telling Victoria.

Now, seated in the library with a blanket around her shoulders, Emily told him everything.

Richard listened without interrupting.

When she finished, he looked twenty years older.

"I should have known."

"You were supposed to believe your wife."

"I was supposed to protect my daughter."

Emily reached into her apron and removed a tiny brass key.

"I didn't just obey her. I started collecting evidence."

She led Richard to her mother's old writing desk. The key opened a hidden drawer containing copies of invoices, handwritten account numbers and a memory card.

Richard inserted the card into his laptop.

A video appeared.

Victoria was sitting with her brother, discussing the foreclosure.

Then her brother asked what would happen when Richard returned.

Victoria lifted her wine and smiled.

"By then, Emily will be in an institution--and Richard will be too sick to question anything."