It was not a welcome that awaited the millionaire after his long business trip. Not a smiling greeting, not a warm embrace, but the heartbreaking sound of his daughter’s anguish echoing from the kitchen. On the floor, surrounded by scattered trash, the little girl was on her knees, her small hands clutching her head as she trembled, begging her stepmother for mercy. Her father stood frozen in the doorway, a chasm of disbelief opening within him. This could not be the same innocent child who had once been the only light in his life.

The car glided to a stop before the grand mansion, a quiet sentinel under trees whose leaves had begun to surrender to the gold of autumn. William Wallace stepped out, his tall frame slouched with the accumulated exhaustion of a two-month business trip. He pulled a small suitcase behind him; his other hand cradled a gift box wrapped in fine paper. Inside was a doll he had found in a small shop in Paris—the very one his daughter, Judy, had once wished for.

In his mind, her image bloomed vividly: Judy running out to meet him, her eyes sparkling, her messy hair flying in the wind, her small arms wrapping tightly around his neck. The thought alone was a balm to his soul after so many days spent drowning in meetings and the suffocating weight of contracts.

He opened the door and stepped inside. The house was brightly lit and impeccably tidy, but a strange silence hung in the air. There were no hurried footsteps on the stairs, no familiar, cheerful voice calling his name. William frowned, a knot of unease tightening in his stomach. “Judy?” he called out softly. “Where are you? Daddy’s home.”

No answer came, only the distant clinking of pots and pans from the kitchen, followed by a sharp, shrill scream. William froze. He set his suitcase and the gift box on the sofa in the living room and hurried toward the sound. It was the voice of Sarah, his second wife, whom he had married less than seven months ago. In his presence, Sarah was always gentle, her voice as soft as a breeze, constantly assuring him of her love for Judy. But this scream was filled with a harsh, cutting anger that sent a chill down his spine.

He pushed the kitchen door open, and the sight that greeted him left him paralyzed.

Judy, his seven-year-old daughter, whom he loved more than life itself, was kneeling on the cold tiled floor. Her small hands covered her head, her shoulders shaking with violent tremors. Her messy hair hid her face, but William could see the tears streaming down her cheeks. Strewn across her head and shoulders were leftover food, vegetable peels, and crumpled paper—the contents of the trash can now clinging to her small, filthy body. She looked so pitiful that William’s chest seized with an unbearable pain.

“Mom, I’m sorry! Mom, I’m sorry!” Judy’s voice was broken, choked with a terror that went beyond words.

Sarah stood over her, holding the plastic bin she had just emptied. Her eyes were cold, her voice sharp as it rang out. “You insolent child! How dare you throw away leftovers? You need to learn gratitude. People go without, and you dare to waste? Do you think you can have whatever you want in this house?”

William felt the blood rush to his head. He lunged forward, pulling Judy out of the corner and wrapping his arms tightly around her. His voice, when it came, was firm and cutting. “What the hell are you doing, Sarah?”

Sarah flinched, her expression shifting in an instant. She dropped the trash bin, her eyes suddenly glistening with tears, her voice trembling. “William! You’re back… I… I only wanted to teach her manners. Don’t you see? She’s too stubborn. She never listens. I’m afraid if this continues, she’ll grow up spoiled. I… I’m heartbroken.”

William stared at Sarah, unable to believe her excuse. He looked down and felt Judy pressed against his chest, her body stiff and unresponsive to his embrace. Her tiny hands clutched his shirt in a trembling, defensive grip, but her eyes avoided his, as if she were afraid of the very father she had once trusted above all else.

“My little girl,” William lowered his voice, struggling to keep it gentle. “Don’t be afraid. Daddy’s home. No one is allowed to hurt you.”

Judy remained silent, her lips quivering, but she said nothing. William held her tighter, struck by how frail and thin she had become. He looked up again, his voice sharp. “Sarah, dumping a trash can over a seven-year-old’s head is what you call discipline? Did you forget she’s my daughter? She lost her mother when she was only four. She’s suffered enough. You have no right to treat her like this.”

Sarah bowed her head, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief. Her voice was choked. “Do you think I wanted this? I only wanted her to understand that nothing comes easily. I love you, so I wanted to love your daughter, too. But she always looks at me with hatred. I just wanted her to learn respect.”

William clenched his jaw, saying nothing more. He knew that if he continued, Sarah would once again twist everything to paint herself as the misunderstood, suffering wife. He lifted Judy into his arms. She was shockingly light, a ghost of the healthy, energetic child he remembered. His heart ached with every beat.

William lowered his gaze to his daughter. Her sweat-soaked hair covered half her face, but her eyes pierced him with an unbearable pain. The innocence was gone, replaced by fear and avoidance. He gently touched her arm, then froze. Around her wrist was a dark purple bruise, stark and clear, as if someone had gripped her far too hard.

His voice trembled as he asked, “Judy, what happened to your hand? Who hurt you?”

Judy flinched, quickly hiding her hand behind her back. She lowered her head, tears welling up, but she shook her head, her lips pressed tightly together, unable to speak.

William’s throat closed. He pulled her against his chest, his eyes staring into the distance as a flood of pain and guilt, too vast to put into words, rose within him. He whispered to himself, part promise, part a heavy sentence hanging over his own head, What has my little girl endured while I was away?

William closed his daughter’s bedroom door as quietly as he could. Judy had curled herself into a tight ball under the blanket, her face pressed into the pillow, her shoulders still trembling. He stood there for a long time, unwilling to wake her, only pulling the blanket up neatly before turning away. As he walked into the living room, his eyes fell on the sofa. The suitcase was still there, next to a carefully wrapped gift box. The doll Judy had once wished for. William reached out and touched it, his hand suddenly heavy. He had pictured Judy’s laughter, imagined her running into his arms as he presented her with the gift. That moment had never come. Now, the box just lay there, cold and untouched—a silent reminder of the distance that was quietly growing between him and his daughter.

That night, William could not sleep. He paced back and forth in his study, sitting down only to rise again moments later. The image of Judy kneeling by the trash bin replayed in his mind, a ghostly weight pressing on his chest. He wondered what she had been through during the past two months. The question pierced his heart like a needle with every beat.

The next morning, he decided he would take Judy to school himself. She barely touched her breakfast, almost ignoring the piece of bread he placed in front of her. William watched silently, without pushing. He knew that the more he pressed, the more she would withdraw.

Inside the car, a heavy silence filled the air. William gripped the steering wheel, glancing every now and then at the rearview mirror. Judy sat in the back seat, clutching her backpack, her eyes drifting blankly out the window. Her face no longer carried the innocence of a seven-year-old but a strained, distant expression.

“My daughter,” William said slowly, “if something is bothering you, you can tell me. No matter what you’re afraid of or worried about, I’m always here to listen.”

Judy flinched slightly. She lowered her head and whispered, her voice barely audible, “It’s nothing, Dad.”

William tightened his grip on the wheel as helplessness swelled inside him. He knew she was hiding something, but he didn’t want to force her. When the car pulled up to the school gate, Judy quickly opened the door and stepped out. William called after her, “I’ll pick you up this afternoon. Make sure you eat your lunch.” She only nodded, without looking back.

The elementary school Judy attended was an ordinary neighborhood school, where most students came from civil servant families. The children were naturally carefree, but that innocence often carried its own cruelty. Quiet and withdrawn, Judy usually sat alone, making her an easy target. During recess, she found a corner of the playground and opened her lunch box. Inside was only cold, white rice. No meat, no fish. She quietly ate a few spoonfuls, then set it down, sneaking glances around her.

At last, Judy walked over to a trash can and threw away the soured rice. Among the scraps lay a piece of old bread. She hesitated, then picked it up, brushed off the dirt, wrapped it in a worn napkin, and slipped it into her pocket. A group of boys saw her and immediately burst out laughing. “Hey, look! Judy’s eating from the trash! Beggar! Don’t you have food at home?”

Their laughter echoed as some pointed fingers. Judy’s face flushed red, her eyes filling with tears, but she didn’t fight back. She only lowered her head, pressed her pocket close to her chest, and quietly ran into the classroom.

From the teacher’s room, Anne Mitchell, Judy’s homeroom teacher, happened to witness the scene through the window. Anne, in her early thirties with a stern face softened by kind eyes, had noticed Judy for a long time. The girl was quiet, often withdrawn, and her eyes always seemed to be hiding something. Today, watching Judy being mocked by her classmates, Anne’s heart tightened with pain.

That afternoon, after school, Judy sat quietly waiting by the gate, her small hand clutching her backpack. When William arrived, she climbed into the car without saying a word. He tried to start a conversation, but Judy only nodded or shook her head. He could feel the distance between them growing wider and wider.

Later that night, after Judy had gone to her room, William received a phone call. It was Miss Anne. “Mister Wallace, I’m sorry to call so late,” her voice was calm yet firm. “I need to talk to you about Judy. She often comes to class looking exhausted. Many times, I’ve seen her fall asleep at her desk. And today… I caught her picking up discarded food. I believe she might be hungry. Did you know about this?”

William froze. His throat tightened, and it took him several seconds before he managed to answer. “No… I didn’t know. Thank you for letting me know. I’ll look into it right away.”

When he hung up, William sank heavily into his chair. The teacher’s words pierced his heart like a knife. Images of little Judy rushed back to him—her red, swollen eyes, her shrinking figure in the schoolyard. Guilt consumed him, mixed with anger, but above all was an unbearable pain that left him breathless.

That evening at dinner, the three of them sat around the table. Sarah emerged from the kitchen carrying a glass of milk, which she set down in front of Judy with a gentle smile. “Sweetheart, drink your milk. You see, she hardly eats anything. It breaks my heart, too.”

William watched the scene with suspicion. Sarah’s tenderness stood in stark contrast to the fury he had witnessed the day before. Judy sat still, avoiding her stepmother’s eyes. She pushed the glass forward slightly, then pulled it back again. William gripped his spoon, forcing himself to stay composed. He wanted to confront Sarah, but he knew doing so in front of Judy would only terrify the child further. He chose to observe in silence.

Through the entire meal, Judy picked at a few vegetables and then sat still. Sarah kept the conversation light, trying to create a warm atmosphere, but to William, every word sounded like the hollow whistle of wind through an empty place.

That night, once again, William could not sleep. Close to midnight, he heard faint noises coming from the kitchen. Putting on his robe, he went down the stairs. The glow of the refrigerator cast a pale light on a small figure. Judy was on tiptoe, struggling to reach a piece of hard, stale bread from the lower shelf. She slipped it into her jacket pocket, her eyes darting nervously around as if terrified of being caught.

William stood frozen on the staircase, his chest tightening. He wanted to go to her, to scoop her into his arms and ask her why, but his feet felt rooted to the ground. In that moment, William understood that a deep crack had already formed between him and his daughter, one that could not be bridged with gifts or soothing words. It was his absence, his lack of presence, that had carved this void during all the months he had been away. Clutching the stair railing, his eyes blurred with tears. He whispered into the darkness, “Judy, what kind of life have I forced you to endure?”

William stood for a long time on the staircase, until Judy timidly closed the refrigerator and slipped back to her room. He walked down and opened the refrigerator door. On the bottom shelf, a piece of dry, hardened bread lay exposed, clear proof of what Judy had just tried to take. William closed the door, and darkness swallowed the kitchen. He rested his forehead against the cold metal surface, a heavy sigh escaping him. A crushing sense of helplessness weighed on him until his chest ached.

The next morning, William came down earlier than usual. Judy quietly sat at the table, her messy hair covering half her face. She placed her backpack on the chair, saying nothing. William looked at her, trying to keep his voice calm while a storm raged inside him. “Sweetheart, why did you sneak food last night? You can tell me the truth. I need to know.”

Judy startled, her small hands clenching her spoon. Her lips trembled, her eyes dropped, and her voice was barely a whisper. “I… I wasn’t hungry. I just wanted to save it.”

William froze. He knew her words were a cover, but he couldn’t bring himself to push her harder. The worried look in her eyes choked him. He only placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, his tone softening. “You don’t have to hide anything. I will never abandon you.”

Judy bit her lip and gave no answer. She lowered her head, took a few bites of rice, then stood up, grabbed her backpack, and got ready for school. William watched her leave, his heart unbearably heavy.

Later, when Sarah left the house to go shopping, the butler, Thomas, came forward. Thomas had served the Wallace family for nearly twenty years. He was a man in his fifties, tall and lean, his hair streaked with grey. Usually quiet and devoted, today his face carried a deep tension. He glanced around to make sure Sarah was nowhere nearby, then lowered his voice. “Sir, forgive me. I must speak. If Mrs. Sarah finds out, I may lose my job, but I can’t stay silent any longer.”

William gave a small nod, his eyes fixed on Thomas. “Go on. I need the truth.”

Thomas sighed, his tone slow but firm. “For months now, little Judy has often been denied food. There are meals when Mrs. Sarah deliberately refuses to let her eat, claiming she misbehaved. Not only that, she forces her to do heavy chores—scrubbing the floors, washing laundry, tending the entire garden. She is still just a child. She cannot bear that. More than once, I wanted to step in, but Mrs. Sarah threatened to fire me immediately. I was afraid… afraid that if I spoke, you wouldn’t believe me, or worse, Judy would suffer even more.”

William was struck silent. His hand clenched the pen on his desk so hard it snapped in two. A vein bulged on his forehead, yet he struggled to steady his voice. “Thomas… why are you only telling me this now?”

Thomas lowered his head, regret clear in his eyes. “I know how much you love the girl, but Mrs. Sarah is too cunning. She always puts on a gentle face in front of you. I stayed quiet, but after I saw you carrying Judy yesterday… I couldn’t bear it anymore. You need to know the truth.”

William leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the empty air. He wanted to scream, to smash everything, but he forced it down. His voice broke as he said, “Thank you, Thomas. I’ll take care of this. No one will ever hurt my daughter again.”

That evening, William forced himself to stay calm. He brought Judy home, and the two of them sat down for dinner. Sarah walked out of the kitchen carrying a steaming bowl of soup, her face wearing a gentle smile. She set the bowl on the table and said softly, “Judy, eat up. I made this soup just for you.”

Judy sat still, not daring to look up. William’s gaze sharpened, cold as steel, watching every move. Sarah lifted a spoonful of soup, about to hand it to Judy, when suddenly her hand flicked, and the hot liquid spilled straight over the little girl’s hand. “Ah!” Judy whimpered, her small hand turning red, tears springing to her eyes.

William jumped up, grabbing his daughter’s arm to check the burn mark. He looked up, his voice a growl. “Sarah, what did you just do?”

Sarah instantly stepped back, her eyes shimmering with tears, her voice hurried. “William, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! The girl just sat there, staring blankly… I lost focus. It was an accident! Please don’t think badly of me.”

William locked eyes with Sarah. He could clearly see the lie hidden behind her gaze. Judy trembled as she pulled her hand back, shaking her head slightly, whispering, “I… I’m okay, Dad.”

William pulled his daughter into his arms, but inside, his anger was boiling. That night, after tucking Judy into bed, he went into his study and searched for the phone number of a private detective agency. He dialed, his voice deep and steady. “I need a discreet investigation. My current wife, Sarah Wallace. I want to know everything.”

On the other end, a detective named Richard spoke calmly. “We will handle it carefully, Mr. Wallace. Wait for our results.”

Meanwhile, Judy sat alone at her desk. She pulled out a small notebook, opened to a blank page, and with trembling hands, she wrote: I miss Mom. I’m scared of my stepmother. I want to hug Dad, but if I say anything, she will throw me out. Her shaky handwriting blurred with tear stains. Judy closed the notebook, hid it in her desk drawer, then crawled under her blanket, clutching her old doll tightly. That night, she fell asleep in fear.

Two days later, William’s phone buzzed. A message from Detective Richard appeared. Attached was a photo of Sarah in a fancy cafe, holding her phone, her face cold and expressionless. On the screen, captured clearly, was a text message she had just sent: She’s getting weaker. The plan is working.

William stared at the image, the blood in his body turning to ice. He gripped the phone, his hand trembling violently. He slammed it down on the desk, his face drained of color. In his mind, one relentless question echoed: Who is behind Sarah? And is that plan aimed at my child?

William stood motionless in his study for a long while after reading the ambiguous text message. His chest rose and fell heavily, each breath weighed down. He put the phone into a drawer, locked it, and left the room. In the hallway, his footsteps echoed steadily, as if he were trying to suppress the storm of anger boiling inside him.

When he reached the living room, he saw Sarah arranging flowers in a vase, her demeanor as gentle as always. William stopped, watching her for a moment, then spoke in a deep voice, trying to remain calm. “Judy has lost a lot of weight. Are you sure you’ve been taking good care of her?”

Sarah froze for a second, her hand trembling as she placed a flower, but only briefly. Then she regained her soft composure. Her eyes shimmered with tears, her voice breaking as if she were the one wronged. “Do you think I want to see her like that? I only want Judy to learn to listen better, to be less stubborn. You’re always busy; you don’t have time to stay at home. I’ve done my best. I love you, so I want to love your daughter, too.”

William folded his arms, his eyes following every flicker of Sarah’s expression. He heard her words, but his heart no longer trusted them. He knew Sarah was skilled at hiding things, but this time, the falseness was as thin and clear as a veil. He gave no reply, only silence, and it was that silence that made Sarah momentarily uneasy.

The sound of the doorbell cut through the tense air. Butler Thomas went to answer, then returned. “Sir, Mister Lucas is here.”

Lucas Wallace, William’s younger brother, walked in with a confident air. He wore a light-colored suit, his tie perfectly knotted, his smile so broad and radiant that it was hard for anyone to suspect ulterior motives. Lucas had long been known for his smooth talking and his ability to win favor effortlessly.

“Brother!” Lucas stepped forward, wrapping William in a warm hug. Then he bent down and extended his hand toward Judy. “Come here, sweetheart. I’ve missed you so much.”

Judy froze, clutching her worn doll tightly, her eyes avoiding his. She stood behind William, refusing to move forward.

Lucas’s smile stiffened, but his voice remained gentle. “You’ve been too busy, William. Let me help you take care of Judy. A child needs the tenderness of a woman in the house. I’m more than willing to help you.”

William looked at his brother, a wave of hesitation rising in him. Despite their differences in the past, he couldn’t deny that Lucas always appeared friendly. He nodded slightly, speaking slowly. “Thank you, but Judy still needs time. She isn’t used to it yet.”

Sarah quickly interjected, placing her hand on William’s shoulder, her voice sweet. “See? Lucas truly cares about Judy. I think we should let him get closer to her.”

William said nothing, but he couldn’t ignore the way Judy’s small hands clenched tightly around her doll, her whole body tense whenever Lucas drew near. He etched that image in his mind, without a word.

The next day at school, Judy sat in a corner of the yard, holding her ragged doll close. It was more than a toy; it was the last keepsake connected to her mother. A group of classmates approached, mischief gleaming in their eyes. One of them suddenly snatched the doll, held it up high, and laughed loudly. “Look at this! A broken old doll! Only beggars would play with something like this.”

The whole group burst into laughter, tossing the doll back and forth. Judy rushed forward, tears streaming down her face. “Give it back! Please, give it back to me!” But the children only laughed louder, shoving her away. Judy fell hard to the ground, her knees scraping on the pavement.

Just then, Miss Anne Mitchell appeared, her voice stern and commanding. “Give it back to her, now!” The children froze, dropped the doll in haste, and ran off.

Judy clutched her doll again, sobbing uncontrollably. Miss Anne knelt down, gently wiping the girl’s tear-streaked face with a handkerchief. Her voice softened. “Judy, you have to tell your father. You can’t keep carrying this burden all by yourself. Do you understand?”

Judy shook her head, her words breaking through sobs. “If I tell him, Mom will throw me out.”

Miss Anne hugged the little girl lightly, her heart aching. She knew this couldn’t go on much longer.

That evening, William came home. Passing by Sarah’s bedroom, he noticed the door slightly ajar. A thin line of light leaked through, making him stop. He pushed the door open, about to call her name, but the room was empty. On the vanity table, a drawer stood half open. William walked over and saw an old phone inside. He picked it up, and the screen lit as he touched it. A string of messages appeared, and the words struck him like a blade, his heart pounding painfully in his chest.

Recipient: Lucas.
Message: Make her believe her father doesn’t love her. When she breaks, he will break too.

William froze in shock, his hand trembling violently. All the doubts he had carried pieced themselves together into one horrifying picture. Sarah and Lucas. They had been orchestrating this all along. William gripped the phone tightly, his face drained of color. In his mind, a silent scream echoed: My own brother… why would you want to destroy this family?

The house was drowned in darkness, with only the faint yellow glow from the hallway light. William walked slowly across the wooden floor, his mind still echoing with the messages he had just read. Every word, every punctuation mark, burned into his memory, leaving him both furious and despairing. He had sensed something was wrong, but he had never imagined the cruelty could reach this extent.

As he reached the staircase, a faint sound broke the silence. At first, it was a muffled sob, then it grew into a heartbreaking cry. William froze, his heart tightening. His steps quickened. The crying came from Judy’s room. He rushed over; the door was slightly ajar. William pushed it open wide, and the scene before him left him paralyzed.

Judy was kneeling on the floor, her hands covering her face, her hair tangled, tears streaming down her cheeks. In front of her stood Sarah, towering over her, her hands still raised in the air. The atmosphere in the room was heavy, suffocating.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Mom! I won’t do it again!” Judy sobbed, her voice trembling.

Sarah bent down, clutching the girl’s shoulders, her voice cutting, each word like a knife. “You’re nothing but a burden. Your father doesn’t need you. If it weren’t for me, you would have been abandoned long ago. You’re nothing more than leftovers in this house!”

William exploded. He stormed forward, his voice roaring through the room. “Get out! If you’re still in this house for one more second, I will call the police immediately!”

Sarah startled, her eyes widening. She dropped her grip on Judy and stepped back, her face drained of color. But in the next moment, tears poured down her cheeks, her voice cracking with a false, pitiful grief. “You’re letting her deceive you, William! That child only makes up lies to drive us apart. She’s a manipulator, can’t you see? I just wanted to teach her some respect, but you trust her more than me.”

William stepped closer, his eyes blazing, his hand pointing straight at the door. His voice thundered, sharp as steel. “I don’t want to hear another word. Get out right now. Otherwise, I’ll call the police this very moment. Don’t test my patience, Sarah.”

Sarah’s mouth fell open, tears still streaking her face, but a spark of rage flickered in her eyes. She turned abruptly, grabbed her handbag from the bed, and slammed the door on her way out. The sound of her heels faded down the hallway, leaving behind a room drenched in a terrifying silence.

William dropped to his knees and wrapped Judy in his arms. The small body trembled violently. The girl buried her face in her father’s chest, sobbing uncontrollably. William felt every shiver pierce straight through his heart. He held her tightly, whispering in a voice hoarse with guilt, “I’m so sorry, Judy. I left you alone for too long. You don’t deserve any of this. No one will ever hurt you again. I promise.”

Judy hiccuped, her little hands clutching his shirt as if letting go would make everything disappear. William just held her, letting his own tears rise and silently blend with hers. After a while, when Judy had grown weary from crying, William gently lifted her onto the bed. He pulled the blanket over her, smoothing back the hair damp with sweat and tears. Judy’s eyelids fluttered shut, her breath still shaky, but her hand clung tightly to his shirt. William sat beside her, holding that tiny hand until she drifted into sleep.

He stood up and quietly opened the door, but as he stepped out, William caught sight of a familiar figure. Lucas was leaning against the hallway wall, his expression unreadable, the corner of his lips curved into a faint smile.

“Brother,” Lucas spoke softly, just loud enough for the two of them to hear. “You can’t raise her on your own. You have a company, an entire empire to protect. A weak little girl like her will destroy you, just like she destroyed Sarah.”

William froze, his heartbeat pounding in his chest. He stared at his younger brother without blinking. That sentence was more than mockery; it was a warning, perhaps even a threat.

Lucas stepped closer, placing a hand on William’s shoulder, squeezing lightly. His voice was a whisper. “You should think carefully, William. Some things are not worth sacrificing your career and reputation for.”

William looked down at the hand resting on his shoulder, then lifted his gaze, his eyes burning. Inside him, a new fire ignited, stronger than the fury he had unleashed on Sarah. It was the raw sting of betrayal, from his own blood. He brushed Lucas’s hand aside and walked straight to his study without another word. Yet in his head, Lucas’s words echoed, venomous as a serpent’s hiss: She will destroy you.

William’s eyes blazed with determination. He knew then that the true enemy was not only Sarah but his very own brother.

William slammed the study door shut, the sound echoing down the empty hallway. He sank into his chair, fingers interlaced, his forehead resting on his hands. Everything had happened too fast. Sarah had stormed out in anger, and Lucas, his younger brother, had just dropped words like knives. You can’t raise her on your own. She will destroy you.

William drew in a deep breath, forcing himself to hold back his rage. But inside, one thing was painfully clear: from now on, Lucas would no longer bother to hide.

A few days later, Sarah’s absence changed the atmosphere in the house. Judy seemed less fearful, yet her caution remained. She avoided strangers and clung to William whenever he was home. Every time the doorbell rang, Judy would clutch her worn-out doll and step back behind her father’s legs.

Lucas began to appear more often. He came in the afternoons, sometimes claiming he wanted to see his niece, other times using the excuse of discussing company matters. One afternoon, as the three of them sat in the living room, Lucas swirled a glass of red wine, his voice soft, as though he truly cared. “You’ve been too harsh on Sarah. After all, women can’t handle everything. I think Judy is the real problem. Don’t you see? She’s drifting further away from you.”

William lifted his head, his eyes darkening. He set his glass of water down on the table and kept his voice steady. “She only needs time. I am her father. No one has the right to judge this bond. Not even you.”

Lucas shrugged, a fleeting smile on his lips. “I’m only worried about you. A fragile child like her… she could drag you down at any moment.”

From a few steps away, Judy heard those words. She shrank back, moving closer to her father, wrapping her small arms around his legs. Lucas hesitated for a moment, then quickly put on a false, friendly smile. “Judy, come here. Your uncle just wants to give you a hug.”

Judy shook her head and buried her face in her father’s arm. William tightened his hold on her hand and stared at his brother in silence.

At the company, board meetings grew tense. Rumors about William’s family had begun to spread. A few small newspapers hinted at his divorce and issues concerning his daughter. During one shareholder meeting, David Klein, a longtime shareholder with silver hair and a calm demeanor, rose to speak. “William, we have to be direct. Your family scandal is affecting the company. Competitors have already caught wind of it. We need assurance that the company’s reputation won’t be dragged down by your private matters.”

William straightened in his seat, his expression stern. He was about to respond when Lucas stood up, his voice smooth and full of goodwill. “Please, don’t worry. I have been by my brother’s side since the very beginning. Every family has its struggles, but the company comes first. I will help him handle every crisis.” A few shareholders nodded, murmuring their approval. David Klein didn’t speak further, but suspicion gleamed in his eyes. William glanced at his brother and realized Lucas was seizing every opportunity to cast himself as the protector.

That night, after Judy had fallen asleep, the butler Thomas came to William’s study. The old man stood at the door, his face heavy with concern. “Sir, there’s something I feel I must tell you. I’ve held it back because I didn’t want to worry you, but I can’t stay silent any longer.”

“Go ahead, Thomas,” William said, looking up.

Thomas sighed, his voice trembling. “Judy often wakes up in the middle of the night. Once, I passed by and saw her sitting there, hugging her doll, whispering the same question over and over… ‘Daddy, are you going to leave me?’ It broke my heart. She’s so afraid of being abandoned that even in her dreams, she can’t rest.”

William froze, his hands clenching so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Inside his chest, his heart felt crushed. He whispered hoarsely, “Thank you, Thomas. I won’t let her ever have to ask that question again.”

On another evening, while William was tied up in meetings, Lucas sat alone in a luxurious bar. Neon lights washed over his face, his smile faint, his eyes calculating. He pulled out his phone and typed a message, his fingers moving with precision. She’s weakening. The photo of the girl eating garbage is ready. Just waiting for the right day to release it. He hit send. The screen flashed and went dark. Lucas leaned back, lifting his glass to his lips, his smile stretching thin, curving into something sinister.

Meanwhile, in the quiet house, William sat by Judy’s bedside, gently brushing her hair as she slept. Her breathing was still uneven, her small hand clutching the worn doll. William looked at her and silently made a vow: I will protect you, at all costs. But he had no idea that outside, another hand was tightening the trap, pulling father and daughter step by step into darkness. In the shadows, Lucas’s phone buzzed. A reply lit up the screen: Very good. Once the public turns against him, he’ll have nothing left.

On Monday morning, William walked into the large conference room. The tension in the air was so thick he could feel every gaze fixed on him. Around the long oval table, all the key shareholders were present. Closest to him sat Elizabeth Moore, a woman in her early fifties known for her bluntness. At the far end, David Klein sat with his arms crossed, his eyes on the folder in front of him.

William set his documents on the table and took a deep breath. He knew something was coming, but he had not expected it to strike so quickly.

Elizabeth lifted her head, her eyes razor-sharp. “Before we discuss the contract in Asia, I need you to explain. Images involving your family have been circulating. If they are true, this is an ethical issue we cannot ignore.”

“What are you talking about?” William frowned.

The answer came from Lucas. He stood, his light-colored suit making him stand out. In his hand was a stack of photos, his face a mask of sorrow, his voice trembling as if with suppressed emotion. “My brother… I did not want to say this, but I cannot remain silent any longer. Please, look.”

He placed the photos on the table, then projected them onto the large screen. Judy’s image appeared: a little girl with messy hair, crouching down to pick up crumbs of bread in the schoolyard. Her eyes were red and swollen, her small hands clutching the bits of food as if they were treasures.

The room gasped. Shareholders whispered to one another, their faces filled with shock.

Lucas sighed, his voice choked. “This is my niece. She has been forced to pick scraps to eat. I warned him, but William would not listen. Is this the kind of father who deserves respect?”

William shot to his feet, his voice booming. “Enough! That is a lie! I love my daughter more than anything. You have no right to judge our bond based on a few cropped photos.”

David Klein leaned forward, his expression stern. “William, we cannot ignore this. This company depends not only on technology but also on its image. A CEO accused of neglecting his daughter will destroy everything.”

Elizabeth followed, her tone cold. “You can deny it, but the public will not. We need an internal investigation.”

Lucas sat down, but not before glancing at William with a fleeting glimmer of malice, quickly masked by a sorrowful shake of his head. “William… sometimes love is not enough. A child needs real protection. You must face the truth.”

The room sank into a heavy silence. William clenched his fists, struggling to contain his fury. He knew exactly whose hand had orchestrated this.

That afternoon, the news exploded. Headlines blared: Semiconductor Tycoon Neglects Daughter, Girl Caught Eating Trash. Images of Judy spread rapidly on social media, drawing thousands of condemning comments.

In her room at home, Judy sat clutching her doll, her eyes fixed on the tiny phone a classmate had secretly shown her. On the screen was her own image—a dirty face, trembling hands picking up scraps. Judy dropped the phone and sank to the floor, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. Tears streamed down her face as her voice broke into sobs. “It’s because of me… because of me Dad was hurt. If I wasn’t this way, everyone wouldn’t hate him.”

As night fell, William sat in his study, his hands clasped tightly, his eyes bloodshot from sleeplessness. He still didn’t know how to save both his company and his daughter. Then, a knock sounded at the door. Butler Thomas entered, followed by Ann Mitchell, Judy’s teacher. She carried a small, worn notebook.

“Mister Wallace,” Anne said, her voice soft but firm. “I think this might help you.”

William frowned, taking it from her. “What is this?”

“It’s Judy’s journal from class. I often let the children write freely, and Judy always wrote a lot. I believe this may be the only thing that can save both of you.”

William held the notebook, his hand trembling. He sat back down, took a deep breath, and slowly opened to the first page. The childish, uneven handwriting appeared before him: I’m hungry. I’m scared. I miss Mom.

William froze. The ink was blurred, as if soaked in tears. His chest ached, his breath caught in his throat. He turned quickly through the pages, each line a blade cutting into him. Stepmother makes me work. I’m tired. I want to hug Dad, but I’m scared if I say anything, I’ll be sent away. I dreamed of Mom. I wish she would come back. I want Dad to look at me and smile.

William’s hand tightened around the notebook until it trembled. Tears welled in his eyes, blurring the words.

Anne stood beside him, her voice breaking. “Mister Wallace, this is the truth. If you want to protect Judy, use your own voice. No defense in the world has more power than this honest pain.”

William collapsed back into the chair, clutching the journal against his chest. In that moment, he knew the road ahead would be filled with storms, but he also understood that he no longer had the right to turn away. He bowed his head, tears falling onto the cover of the notebook. He whispered, like a vow, “I will never let you suffer another day, Judy. Even if I have to stand against the whole world.”

The special meeting room had been prepared in haste. An extraordinary session was called in less than twenty-four hours, and every key shareholder was present, their faces tense. The atmosphere was thick, like a storm about to break.

William entered with a firm stride, his heart heavy, holding Judy’s small diary in his hand. Walking just behind him was Judy herself, wearing a simple dress, clutching her torn doll. Fear lingered in her eyes, yet her small hand clung tightly to her father’s, as if to remind herself that this time, no one could tear them apart. The butler Thomas and the teacher Anne Mitchell followed close behind, their expressions resolute.

William stopped at the head of the table, his voice steady. “You want the truth. Today, I will show you the truth. Not fabricated stories in the press, not cropped photographs. This is the cry for help of a seven-year-old child. My daughter.”

He placed the diary on the table. The fragile pages hit the wooden surface with a faint sound that seemed to shake the entire room. William opened the first page, his hand trembling, but his voice did not. “‘I am hungry. I am scared. I miss Mom.’” The words echoed, pulling the room into a suffocating silence. He lifted his gaze, his sharp eyes scanning each face as he continued to read, word by word. “‘Stepmother said if I tell Dad, I will be thrown out of the house. I want to hug Dad, but I am afraid he doesn’t love me anymore.’”

Elizabeth Moore furrowed her brow. David Klein let out a long sigh. Several other shareholders whispered among themselves, their gazes shifting toward Lucas. Beside her father, Judy squeezed his hand tighter, tears rolling down her cheeks. William bent down slightly and whispered to her, “You don’t have to hide anymore, Judy. I’m here now. I will protect you.”

Suddenly, Lucas leaped to his feet, his face red, his eyes blazing. “Lies! This is nothing but a farce! A child’s scribbles! Anyone could have forged them. You are fabricating stories to cover up the truth that you abandoned that girl!”

Before William could react, Thomas stepped forward, his voice hoarse yet firm. “I witnessed it. Many nights, Judy had to drink water instead of dinner. Many times, I heard her crying, asking, ‘Daddy, are you going to leave me?’ I kept silent because I was afraid of losing my job, but I can’t stay silent for one more minute.”

Anne stepped forward next, her voice trembling but resolute. “I am Judy’s homeroom teacher. She often falls asleep in class, hungry. I tried calling to warn about this. This diary is not a fabrication. It is the voice of a child crying for help.”

From behind, another parent, Linda, stood up, her voice choked with emotion. “I once saw Judy picking up leftover food in the schoolyard. I regret not reporting it sooner. I stand here to confirm what’s written in this notebook is the truth.”

The room erupted. Shareholders lowered their heads, unable to look William in the eye, while others turned furious stares toward Lucas. He trembled, sweat pouring down his face, but he refused to give up. He shouted, his voice twisted and broken, “You’re all being deceived! You stole everything from me! Since we were kids, you were always the one our parents praised while I was left behind! And now you’re using your own child to ruin me! No! I won’t allow it! I’ll make sure you lose everything!”

He slammed his hand on the table, the sound echoing sharply. Then, in a fit of rage, Lucas stormed out of the boardroom, leaving behind a suffocating silence.

William stood still, holding Judy tightly. The little girl pressed her face against his chest, tears still streaming. The small diary lay on the table, yet its weight had crushed every facade Lucas had tried to build. William stared at the door that had just slammed shut, his eyes blazing. Inside him surged a mix of pain and fierce resolve. This time, I will not let you destroy my family. The truth has come to light, and I will fight to the end.

William left the conference room, the door closing behind him, his hand still gripping Judy’s tightly. The hallway was silent except for the echo of his shoes on the marble floor. Judy clung to him, afraid that if she let go, everything would vanish. William looked down, tightened his grip, and a steel-hard resolve surged within him. He would strike back, and this time, it would be decisive.

The next morning, he met Richard Campbell, a renowned lawyer specializing in corporate betrayal. The tall, graying man placed a thick folder on the table. “We have been monitoring Lucas for weeks,” Richard said, his expression stern. “These are the emails, wire transfers, and secret contracts he signed with competitors. He sold confidential information to sabotage your own company.”

William turned the pages. The evidence was undeniable: technical documents, financial reports, microchip blueprints—all sent from Lucas to a corporation in Asia. His hand clenched the edge of the table, his voice dropping low. “So there is no doubt anymore. Do it. I will not allow my brother to continue destroying our family and this company.”

“We will coordinate with the police,” Richard nodded. “But you must be prepared. Lucas will not go down easily.”

Meanwhile, Sarah tried to flee the state in a rental car but was caught by police at a checkpoint. Under the station’s cold, unforgiving light, she cried hysterically, but pressed by overwhelming evidence, she began to confess. “Lucas forced me,” Sarah sobbed. “He told me I had to drive Judy away from her father. He said if I didn’t, I would lose everything. I… I had no choice.”

Inspector Martin Hayes, an experienced man with piercing eyes, spoke slowly. “Everyone has a choice, Sarah. You chose to stand with evil, and now you will pay the price.”

News of Sarah’s arrest spread quickly. Headlines shifted again: Father Framed: The Truth behind the Harrison Scandal. Public opinion began to rally in William’s defense.

At home, Judy began psychological therapy with Mrs. Catherine Brown, a woman with a warm voice and a calm presence. In the softly lit room, Judy sat in a small armchair, clutching her worn doll. “Judy,” Mrs. Catherine asked gently, “what would you like to say today?”

The little girl remained silent for a long while, her lips trembling. Finally, she whispered so softly that William had to lean in to hear her. “I’m still scared… but I want to trust Dad.”

William turned, his eyes reddening. He reached out, clasped her hand tightly, and whispered, “You can trust me. I will never leave you again. No matter what happens.”

The decisive day arrived. The entire corporation gathered for a general assembly. Lucas walked in with his usual confident face, as if nothing had touched him. Richard stood, placing the folder before everyone, his voice thundering, “Here is the proof that Lucas Harrison colluded with competitors, selling confidential company information.”

On the large screen, each email and financial transaction was projected. The room trembled. Shareholders turned to Lucas, shock and outrage on their faces. Lucas’s face went pale. “This is a fabrication!” he shouted. “My brother set this up to destroy me!”

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed as the door burst open. Inspector Martin Hayes entered with two police officers. He pulled out an arrest warrant. “Lucas Harrison, you are under arrest for corporate betrayal and economic espionage.”

The metallic snap of handcuffs locked tightly around Lucas’s wrists. The room fell into dead silence. Lucas struggled, glaring at William with bloodshot eyes. “You have killed me! Your own brother! I was always the one abandoned by our parents, and you… you were always the perfect one! Now you have taken everything from me, too!”

William rose, his voice low with sorrow but steady. “No, Lucas. I didn’t kill you. You killed yourself the moment you chose this path.”

Lucas let out a bitter laugh, tears rolling down his face as police dragged him away. He turned, his gaze filled with hatred toward Judy. He hissed, his voice cracking, “You ruined everything!”

Judy trembled, terrified, clutching her father. William bent down, wrapped his arms around her, and whispered into her ear, “No one can hurt you anymore. I’m here now.”

The door slammed shut behind Lucas. William sat down, Judy in his arms. As dim light streamed through the window, he swore a vow. From now on, you will live in the light. Lucas’s darkness has ended.

The wail of police sirens faded, replaced by the tense silence of the courthouse. William walked down the aisle, holding Judy’s hand. The little girl pressed close, her wide eyes filled with fear. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting solemn shadows across the courtroom. On the defendant’s bench, Lucas sat cuffed, his face hollow, his eyes still burning with hatred. In another corner, Sarah kept her head low, trembling.

The elderly judge rose, his voice ringing out across the chamber. “After reviewing all evidence, the court sentences the defendant, Lucas Harrison, to twenty-five years in prison for financial fraud, betrayal of the company, and complicity in the abuse of a child.”

The gavel struck hard. Lucas jumped to his feet, screaming like a cornered beast, thrashing until two officers restrained him. “You killed me!” he hissed at his brother. “Since we were kids, you stole everything from me!”

William sat in silence, his eyes steady, his voice low but firm. “No, Lucas. You destroyed yourself.”

Before being dragged away, Lucas turned to Judy, his eyes blazing. “You ruined everything, you little devil!”

Judy panicked, clinging desperately to her father. William quickly wrapped his arm around her, shielding her, his cold gaze following his brother’s retreating figure.

The judge continued. “The defendant, Sarah Mitchell, is sentenced to fifteen years in prison for abuse, neglect, and inflicting severe psychological harm on a child.” Sarah collapsed into her seat, sobbing.

For a few seconds, silence filled the chamber. Then William sank to his knees, wrapping Judy tightly in his arms. The girl sobbed, her tears soaking his shoulder, her voice choked but clear. “Daddy… can I believe now that you will never leave me again?”

William pressed his cheek against her hair, his heart aching yet unyielding. Slowly, with every word like a vow, he said, “You are my whole life. No one and nothing can ever change that truth. I will always be here. Forever.”

A year passed. The house was brighter now. Judy still attended the same school, but her face had changed. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes clear. Though she still carried hidden fears, with her father’s patience and love, Judy was gradually stepping out of the darkness. She continued her weekly meetings with Mrs. Catherine Brown. During one session, Judy sat in the small armchair, her familiar doll in her hands.

“What would you like to share this week, Judy?” Mrs. Catherine smiled gently.

Judy looked down, then spoke softly, her voice still trembling but carrying a faint light. “I still dream of my stepmother yelling at me… but I don’t cry as much as before. I’m scared, but I want to be strong. I want to trust Dad.”

William, sitting beside her, held her small hand. “I believe in you,” he whispered. “You will get through this. And I’ll be right here.” Judy’s eyes sparkled as her lips curved into a small smile.

A year after the trial, William launched the Mother’s Heart Foundation. The name was chosen to honor his late wife and to send a message: a mother’s heart is the safest place for a child. The foundation was dedicated to supporting children who had been abused or abandoned, helping them find their way back to family or into a new, loving home.

On opening day, the large hall was filled with philanthropists, journalists, and volunteers. The stage was decorated simply, with a single line of words hanging behind: For the Smiles of Little Hearts. William, in a grey suit, stood beside Judy, now eight years old and far more confident. She still held her old doll, but her face was radiant, her eyes bright with faith.

The host announced, “Please welcome the representative face of the Mother’s Heart Foundation, little Judy Wallace!”

Thunderous applause erupted. Judy stepped onto the wooden podium, her steps still trembling, but in her eyes shone a new light. The hall fell silent, waiting. Judy hesitated, then spoke. “I used to be very scared. I used to think I would be abandoned forever. But my dad stayed with me. He showed me the light. And today… I want to tell children like me that you are not alone. There are people who will listen and protect you.”

A sob broke out from the audience; many wiped their tears. William stood still, his vision blurred with emotion.

Judy took a deep breath, smiled, and searched for her father’s eyes among the sea of people. “I love you, Dad.”

William could not hold back any longer. He walked straight onto the stage, opened his arms, and hugged Judy tightly in front of hundreds of witnesses. Applause thundered, going on without end. Light filled the entire hall, and the shadows that had once weighed so heavily finally dissolved. William kissed his daughter’s hair and whispered, “You are my miracle.”

Judy smiled, resting her head on her father’s chest, her eyes closing in peace. The story had come to an end, yet its echoes would remain. A little girl, once crying out in despair, had found her way back to the warm embrace of her father. A father, once consumed by work, realized that the most precious thing in life was not contracts or numbers, but the smile of his own daughter.

The wicked had paid their price. The schemes, lies, and cruelty were exposed, a stark reminder that justice, in the end, finds its way. But more importantly, a small heart, once thought to be crushed in darkness, had found the light, all because someone was willing to reach out, to listen, and to protect it. Judy was no longer the terrified child crying in fear, but a symbol of strength and hope. In a world where shadows can linger, one sincere embrace, one promise kept, is enough to bring the light flooding back in.