An hour later, the quiet mansion felt very different without Victoria's presence.
Richard had helped Lily change into her softest sweater and sweatpants.
He sat beside her on the living room sofa with a tray of hot tea.
His hands were still shaking slightly as he handed her a warm cup.
Richard: Tell me everything she did while I was away, sweetheart.
Lily took a slow sip and leaned her head on her father's shoulder.
Lily: The moment your car left for the airport, her whole mood changed.
Lily: She called me into the kitchen and demanded my car keys and phone.
Lily: When I refused, she threatened to send me away to boarding school.
Richard squeezed his eyes shut in deep regret and personal guilt.
Richard: I should have noticed the warning signs months ago.
Richard: She was always trying to isolate you from your friends.
Lily: She made me clean the guest rooms, the garage, and the kitchen floors.
Lily: She said I was nothing more than a burden to this family.
Richard stood up and began pacing across the thick oriental rug.
Richard: She lied to me every night on the phone while I was in Manhattan.
Richard: She told me you were in your room studying for exams.
Lily: I tried to yell when the grocery delivery came, but she locked me in the pantry.
Richard pulled out his cell phone and dialed a personal number.
Richard: Arthur, I need you at my house immediately with the full legal team.
Arthur was Richard's chief corporate lawyer and long-time family friend.
Arthur: Is everything alright, Richard?
Richard: My wife committed fraud, emotional abuse, and unlawful restraint against my daughter.
Richard: I want a complete asset freeze and emergency divorce papers drafted within the hour.
Arthur: I will be at your front door in twenty minutes.
Lily looked at her father with a mix of relief and lingering fear.
Lily: What if she tries to come back when you go to work?
Richard: She will never step foot on this property ever again, Lily.
Richard: I promise you that on my life.
He sat back down and wrapped his arm firmly around her shoulders.
Outside, the sound of heavy tires crunched across the long gravel driveway.
Arthur had arrived, carrying a thick black leather folder full of legal documents.
The battle to protect Lily and remove Victoria permanently had officially begun.