“Besides, even if your dad shows up, it won’t change a thing. He’s just a useless nobody.”

It was Carlos’s voice. Hearing it left me stunned.

I had never imagined he’d grow so bold, so arrogant.

Back when Alice brought him into our home, he had seemed quiet and timid. I even told my daughter to be kind to him, not to tease or push him around. Turns out, it was all a performance. His true colors were darker than I ever expected.

I regretted ever saying yes to Alice’s request; that decision had brought a wolf into our home. She had told me he was obedient and sensible, that he’d stay out of trouble.

“I won’t let you insult my dad! He’s the best dad in the world!” My daughter’s voice rang out, firm and full of fire.

Carlos struck her.

“You keep defending him, then where is he, huh?”

“Quit faking. You really think I believe you passed out?”

I couldn’t listen anymore. I kicked the door open.

Carlos froze when he saw me, but quickly pulled on that fake, well-behaved mask.

“Uncle, you’re back! Auntie’s going to be so happy.”

I shot him a cold look and walked straight to my daughter, who had collapsed on the floor.

“Uncle, I didn’t do anything. Tatiana’s probably just tired from school stress.”

I didn’t say a word. I scooped her into my arms and walked out.

I’d settle the score later; for now, her well-being came first.

As I carried her, my eyes stung.

She felt terrifyingly light.

Three years ago, before I left, I had carried her in my arms, she’d been heavier then than she was now.

So what kind of life had she endured during these three years?

I rushed her to the best hospital and found the most experienced doctor.

After the examination, the doctor said, “Her condition isn’t critical. She’s just severely malnourished and clearly hasn’t been eating properly.”

My fists clenched in silent rage.

So after I left, Alice hadn’t even made sure she had food?

How could a mother be so heartless?

“Oh, by the way, would you like to file a police report?”

I immediately asked what he meant.

He told me my daughter had multiple old and new injuries, signs of possible abuse.

I nodded slowly.

Alice and Carlos wouldn’t walk away from this.

But involving the police? That would be too kind.

I’d make them pay myself.

When my daughter woke up, I rushed to her bedside.

“Tatiana!”

She blinked in disbelief. “Dad, am I dreaming? Did I die? Is that why I see you?”

Tears welled in my eyes. I pulled her into my arms. “Tatiana, it’s Daddy. I’m here. Whatever happened, tell me. I won’t let them get away with it.”

Her body trembled. Panic flashed across her face.

“Dad, I wasn’t bullied. I’m okay. Please, just don’t get involved.”

I did everything I could to calm her down and only after what felt like an eternity did she finally settle.

The doctor gave her a sedative and soon, she drifted into sleep. From the doctor, I learned that she had developed acute stress reactions and psychological trauma from the constant bullying.

My anger was indescribable.

Just then, the door to the hospital room burst open.

“Tatiana, are you alright?”

I recognized her immediately. She was the maid I’d hired before I left, one of the most honest and loyal ones.

When she saw me, tears sprang to her eyes.

“Mr. Stewart, you’re finally back. Thank goodness.”

I had so many questions and so many things I needed to understand.

She explained that three months after I left, Alice fired everyone I’d hired. She replaced them with new bodyguards, people connected to Stephen and they were nothing but street thugs.

Alice was ruthless. Not only did she fire everyone, but she also used her connections to prevent the maid and bodyguards from finding new work.

The maid had no choice but to take on odd jobs to survive.

Two years ago, she saw my daughter thrown out of the house and left to wander the streets. She took her in and they moved from place to place before finally settling in a metal container.

My daughter had been expelled from school, by Alice’s doing. She stripped her of the right to an education.

To survive, my daughter took odd jobs as well, but Alice and Carlos never stopped tormenting her.

They took her food, making it impossible for her to eat properly. They harassed her constantly, forcing her to do things she shouldn’t have had to do.

My daughter became nothing more than their plaything.

Only now did I truly grasp how low Alice could sink; it was utterly despicable.

“Dad! Daddy!”

“Don’t hurt my dad. I’ll do anything you want.”

“I’ll give up anything; I just want my dad!”

She must’ve been having a terrible nightmare. Her words grew frantic, finally breaking into desperate sobs.

This foolish girl was bearing it all out of fear for me. She didn’t understand that few could actually hurt me.

Seeing my anger, the maid quickly stepped in to calm me. “Mr. Stewart, please don’t do anything rash. Those people are dangerous; you could get hurt. Now that you’re back, I can finally hand Tatiana over to you. That’s the only way I can honor the promise I made to you back then.”

I thanked her sincerely and assured her not to worry about the rest. I would handle everything from here on out.

There was no way for those people to get away with what they had done.

As I left the hospital room, I made arrangements for someone to guard the door. From now on, no one would lay a finger on my daughter again.

Then, I called to track down Alice.

Just as I suspected, she was vacationing with Stephen. Five days and four nights. Today marked day three.

She had already booked her return ticket, cutting the trip short.

Carlos must’ve told her I was back.

They weren’t far. It would only take them just over an hour to return.

Right after I received the update on Alice’s itinerary, her call came through.

Her voice, usually cold and distant, was suddenly sweet and syrupy. This shift wasn’t lost on me, guilt. She knew she had wronged me and was now overcompensating.

“Honey, why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?”

I didn’t waste time with small talk. I asked, “Do you know what happened to our daughter?”

Alice continued to play dumb.

“What do you mean? Isn’t she doing just fine?”

I had already made up my mind. If she confessed, admitted her wrongs, maybe I’d show some mercy.

But since she insisted on this act, mercy was no longer an option.