It was dinner time.
Dad glanced at his daughter, who was eating quietly, then frowned as his gaze fell on the empty seat at the end of the table.
“Where’s that worthless girl gone? Does she expect us all to wait for her?”
His tone sharpened as he continued, “Looks like she needs to be punished harder!”
The butler, pausing mid-motion as he set down the dishes, answered cautiously, “Mr. Stiles, Miss Jennifer is still in the storage closet. Would you like me to release her?”
Dad’s hand froze mid-air. His eyes flickered briefly toward the storage closet, a flash of shock crossing his face. He recovered quickly, lifting his wine glass for a sip.
“For what? Maybe a few more days in there will teach her a lesson better. Otherwise, she would bully her siblings again.”
The butler glanced at the two children seated at the table, their cheeks rosy with health and their eyes bright with anticipation for the meal.
Internally, he pitied the eldest daughter, who was still locked away. After a brief hesitation, he ventured cautiously, “Mr. Stiles… the storage closet has been quite… quiet these past few days.
“Perhaps you should take a look?”
Dad put his glass down with a clink and glared at the butler. “She’s been in there long enough to tire herself out from screaming.
