Chapter 3 - The Cowardly Son
A medium shot captured Robert staring directly at Daniel. The older man's natural micro-expressions shifted from profound disappointment to a cold, untouchable anger.
"I am embarrassing you?" Robert asked smoothly, entirely devoid of human mercy. "You sit there in a custom suit, drinking expensive wine, and watch this toxic, vicious monster publicly degrade the woman who gave you life over a piece of fabric. You are not a man, Daniel. You are a coward."
Vanessa gasped loudly, dramatically clutching her heavy pearl necklace.
"How dare you speak to my husband that way in my house!" Vanessa shrieked, her red dress swishing as she aggressively stepped forward. "Daniel is the Vice President of the Sterling Firm! We make more money in a month than you two pathetic retirees make in a year! Get out of my dining room before I call security!"
"This isn't your house, Vanessa," Robert stated clinically, completely dominating the room.
Vanessa froze, sheer, breathless confusion washing over her perfectly powdered face.
To understand the absolute, unhinged arrogance of the daughter-in-law, one had to look at the last five years of their marriage. Vanessa genuinely believed she was a self-made multi-millionaire. She thought Daniel had secured the massive down payment for this sprawling suburban estate through his brilliant corporate bonuses. She treated Robert and Eleanor like completely worthless, broke peasants who were lucky to even be invited to dinner.
Daniel’s face suddenly drained of all color. He looked like a terrified ghost.
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"Dad, please," Daniel choked out, profound panic actively destroying his mind. "Don't do this here."
👉 Robert didn't listen to his son, completely ready to expose the massive, multi-million-dollar lie holding the marriage together.
