Richard carried Lily out of the master suite and into her cheerful bedroom down the hall.
He placed her softly on the bed and fetched a ice pack from the kitchen.
Richard: Does it hurt badly, sweetheart?
Lily: A little bit, but I was so scared, Daddy.
Richard: You are completely safe now, and no one will ever hurt you again.
Richard pressed the ice pack gently against her small red mark while holding her hand.
Lily: She said I was ruining your life and taking all your time.
Richard: That is a terrible lie, Lily, and you are my whole world.
Richard felt a surge of cold rage inside his chest as he listened to his daughter.
He realized that Evelyn's cruel behavior had likely been going on for a long time.
He wiped away her tears with the thumb of his hand and smiled softly.
Richard: Stay here and rest while I take care of this mess.
Richard walked back down the hallway toward the master suite with heavy, deliberate steps.
He met Evelyn in the master bedroom as she wrung out her soaked silver robe.
Evelyn: You assaulted me, Richard, and my lawyer will hear about this!
Richard: You threatened my child in my own home, Evelyn!
Evelyn: It was a harsh lesson because she disobeyed my clear boundaries!
Richard: You are a monster, and your time in this house is over.
Evelyn sneered at him, dropping her helpless act entirely in an instant.
Evelyn: Good luck getting rid of me without paying a massive settlement!
Richard: We signed a strict prenup before our wedding day, Evelyn.
Evelyn: That agreement won't hold up once I tell the judge my story!
Richard stepped closer to her, his posture straight and unyielding.
Richard: I have security cameras installed in every main hallway of this mansion.
Evelyn's face turned pale as the realization hit her hard.
Evelyn: You don't have cameras inside the master bathroom!
Richard: No, but the camera recorded your voice and Lily's screams perfectly.
Evelyn crossed her arms tightly, trying to hide her visible tremor.
Richard: You have one hour to grab your personal clothes and get out.
Evelyn: You can't just throw me out into the street like trash!
Richard: Watch me do exactly that if you stay here another minute.
Evelyn scoffed loudly and turned toward the walk-in closet to grab a suitcase.
Richard picked up his smartphone and dialed his family lawyer immediately.
Richard: Arthur, I need you to file emergency divorce papers right now.