Thora quietly tried to slip into an empty chair after serving dinner, only for Heloise to violently yank the little girl back onto her feet

The master suite on the second floor was a sanctuary of soft, bright colors and luxurious comfort. Aldric gently placed Thora on the edge of the massive, plush bed. The cinematic, natural lighting from the bedside lamps cast a warm, safe glow over the little girl. He pulled a set of soft, fleece pajamas from her dresser and handed them to her.

"Go change in the bathroom, sweetie," Aldric said, offering her a warm, reassuring smile that completely masked the violent storm still raging inside him. "I'll be right here waiting."

"Okay, Daddy," Thora sniffled, taking the pajamas and padding softly into the en-suite bathroom.

Once the door clicked shut, Aldric’s smile vanished. His handsome face hardened back into a mask of pure, unrelenting fury. He pulled his smartphone from the pocket of his trousers. His thumb flew across the screen, dialing a number that he rarely used, a number connected to a life Heloise and her arrogant family knew absolutely nothing about.

The line rang twice before a deep, gravelly voice answered.

"Boss," the voice said. It was Marcus, his most trusted security chief and a man who handled the darker aspects of Aldric's vast, hidden empire.

"Marcus, I need a team at the estate immediately," Aldric ordered, his American accent low and measured. "I want the perimeter locked down. No one gets in or out without my explicit authorization. Not even the police."

"Is there a threat, sir?" Marcus asked, his tone instantly shifting into high alert.

"My wife," Aldric stated coldly. "She assaulted Thora. She put her in a maid's uniform and made her sleep on the kitchen floor."

There was a heavy, dead silence on the other end of the line. The men who worked for Aldric were fiercely loyal to him and worshipped his young daughter.

"We are ten minutes away, Boss," Marcus said, his voice vibrating with a terrifying, suppressed anger. "What do you want us to do with Heloise?"

"Keep her contained in the drawing-room for now," Aldric commanded. "And Marcus... contact the legal team. Tell them to trigger the contingency protocols. Heloise thinks she holds the financial leverage because of her father's prenuptial agreement. It is time we showed her exactly who really owns the banks in this city."

"Consider it done. We will dismantle them," Marcus promised.

Aldric ended the call just as the bathroom door opened. Thora emerged, looking infinitely more comfortable in her oversized, fuzzy pink pajamas. The bright red handprint on her fair, rosy cheek was still painfully visible, a stark reminder of the cruelty she had endured.

"Look, Daddy," Thora said, climbing up onto the massive bed. She pulled the thick, down comforter over her legs. "It's so soft. It's way better than the kitchen floor."

Aldric felt his heart shatter into a thousand pieces. He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, gently brushing a strand of fair hair away from her bruised face.

"I am so sorry I wasn't here, Thora," Aldric whispered, his voice thick with guilt and overwhelming love. "I promise you, on my life, that no one is ever going to hurt you or make you feel small ever again. You are the most important person in this entire world."