Chapter 5 — Victoria's Perfect Mask Begins to Crack
# The Stepmother's Lie
## Chapter 5 — Victoria's Perfect Mask Begins to Crack
The next morning, Daniel canceled every meeting on his calendar.
Instead of going to the office, he remained inside the mansion.
Victoria immediately noticed.
"I thought you had a board meeting."
Daniel smiled politely.
"It was postponed."
She forced a smile in return.
Inside...
She was nervous.
Throughout breakfast, Daniel quietly watched everything.
Whenever he looked away, Victoria's smile disappeared.
Whenever Lily reached for something, Victoria subtly glared at her.
Tiny moments.
Almost invisible.
But Daniel noticed all of them.
After breakfast, Victoria walked into the kitchen.
The longtime housekeeper, Mrs. Evelyn Brooks, was preparing coffee.
Victoria spoke sharply.
"Make sure Lily stays out of the master bedroom."
Mrs. Brooks hesitated.
"But that's always been—"
Victoria interrupted.
"I don't care."
Mrs. Brooks lowered her eyes.
She had worked for the Carter family for twenty-three years.
She had watched Lily grow up.
She had loved Sarah like a sister.
Now...
She was watching the family slowly fall apart.
As Victoria left the kitchen, she didn't realize Daniel had been standing just outside the doorway.
He had heard every word.
For the first time since marrying Victoria...
A terrifying question entered his mind.
How much had he failed to see?
And how much had his daughter been hiding from him?
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