Chapter 2: Secrets Beneath the Empire
The next morning, Richard ordered a full investigation.
Lawyers.
Accountants.
Private investigators.
Everything.
Within forty-eight hours, horrifying truths emerged.
Victoria had stolen millions from the Harrison family accounts.
She had bribed employees to remain silent.
Several servants had been wrongfully fired.
Worst of all—
She had planned to transfer part of Emily's inheritance to her own son, Jason.
Richard was speechless.
How blind had he been?
Meanwhile, Emily sat quietly in the garden.
Years of humiliation had made her fearful and withdrawn.
She no longer smiled.
And that broke Richard's heart more than anything.
One afternoon, he found her feeding birds.
"May I sit here?" he asked gently.
Emily nodded.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then she quietly asked:
"Dad... are you angry with me?"
Richard stared at her in disbelief.
"Angry?"
Tears formed in Emily's eyes.
"Because I'm not good enough... because Mom died..."
Richard immediately embraced her.
"No, sweetheart. Never."
He was crying now.
"None of this was your fault. I failed you."
Emily finally sobbed openly in his arms.
Years of pain poured out.
And for the first time in a very long time—
She felt safe.
Weeks later, Victoria was arrested for fraud, embezzlement, and abuse.
Jason, who had known nothing of his mother's crimes, apologized to Emily.
Surprisingly, she forgave him.
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Because unlike his mother, he had never been cruel.
And little by little, peace began returning to the Harrison family.
