Chapter 3 — Victoria's Perfect Lie
# The Glass of Orange Juice
## Chapter 3 — Victoria's Perfect Lie
The sound of a luxury sedan echoed through the front courtyard.
Victoria immediately recognized the engine.
Daniel.
Her expression changed instantly.
The anger vanished.
She quickly placed the crystal glass onto the serving tray.
Then, before Emma could react, Victoria threw herself dramatically onto the marble floor.
She clutched her own cheek.
Tears appeared almost instantly.
The front door opened.
Daniel walked into the mansion carrying his briefcase.
He froze.
Victoria looked up at him, sobbing.
"Daniel..."
"She attacked me."
Daniel frowned.
"What happened?"
Victoria pointed toward Emma.
"I was only trying to help your mother."
"Emma suddenly grabbed me."
"Then she hit me."
Emma stared in disbelief.
"I never touched her."
Victoria cried even louder.
"She's lying."
Daniel looked from one woman to the other.
Neither moved.
Then...
His eyes settled on his mother.
Helen sat trembling in her wheelchair.
Orange juice soaked the front of her sweater.
Her hands shook uncontrollably.
Most heartbreaking of all...
She couldn't stop crying.
Daniel slowly walked toward her.
He knelt beside the wheelchair.
"Mom..."
Helen desperately tried to speak.
Only broken sounds escaped her lips.
Daniel gently wiped the tears from her face.
Something felt terribly wrong.
Very slowly...
Helen looked toward Victoria.
Then toward the crystal glass.
Then back at Daniel.
She repeated the same movement three times.
Daniel noticed.
Victoria noticed too.
For the first time that afternoon...
She felt nervous.
