The silence in the luxury bathroom became so heavy that the hum of the ventilation system sounded like a roaring engine.
Arthur knelt slowly beside the two of them, his expensive grey suit trousers brushing against the cold marble floor.
Arthur: You can tell me anything, princess. Daddy is right here. Who gave you that scratch?
Chloe: (Daddy, she killed mommy!) No... she pushed me into the vanity because I wouldn't lie for her!
Arthur: (Stunned) What did you just say? Who pushed you?
Chloe: Jessica did! She said if I told you, she would lock me in the basement forever!
Jessica's face turned completely pale as the foundations of her multi-million-dollar scheme crumbled into dust.
Jessica: The child is hallucinating! Trauma makes kids invent wild stories about their stepmothers!
Police Officer: Officer narrative aside, Mr. Sterling, your security cloud backup just finished syncing to my tablet.
Arthur: Play the footage. Right now. I want every second of it broadcast in this room.
The officer tapped the glass screen, and the crisp, high-definition video of Jessica shoving the little girl replayed on the display.
The audio captured Jessica's cold, harsh threats word for word, echoing off the expensive marble walls.
Jessica: (On video) If you drop another bottle, I swear I'll make sure your father disowns you!
Arthur stared at the screen, his breathing turning shallow and ragged as overwhelming fury replaced his shock.
He stood up slowly, towering over his wife with an expression of pure, unadulterated lethal rage.
How will the billionaire exact vengeance for his terrified daughter?