Chapter 2

Plot twist: Things did not go as I’d imagined.

On Monday, the law firm arranged for me to represent them on a public service livestream. The topic was “how to recognize the hidden dangers around minors.”

I worked overtime for an entire week to prepare for the talk.

On the day of the livestream, I told Nancy to stay outside my study. My wife was working overtime, so I was worried Nancy would make things difficult for me again.

I prepared snacks and cartoons for her and promised to take her out for her favorite ice cream once I was done.

She looked up at me and nodded obediently. “I won't fight you, Daddy, I promise.”

I nodded, satisfied. She had finally grown up.

After that, I went into my study, started the livestream, and gave the camera a professional smile.

“Hello, dear audience. Today, let's talk about how to protect yourself with the law.”

The number of viewers went from a few hundred to a few thousand, and finally reached six digits. I spoke until my mouth felt dry, and the chat was filled with praise.

[Mr. Lincoln is professional as ever!]

[Wow, I'm really learning a lot.]

I was in the middle of thanking everyone when the door suddenly opened.

Nancy ran into the room in her pyjamas, holding a doll and not wearing her shoes. She pounced onto my lap, and the camera could not catch her face.

I said in a low voice, “Nancy, I'm working. Go outside for now.”

She nodded obediently.

Just as I was about to continue talking, she quickly grabbed my microphone and said before I could stop her,

“Everyone, don't believe my father. He's using his work to touch all those little girls. I saw him!”

She hugged her doll and cried on cue, practically sobbing, “Look! He even molested me and bit my shoulder! He said he'd kill me if I told anyone!”

The chat exploded.

[What the hell is going on? Is this for real?]

[His daughter is accusing him herself??!!]

[This monster!]

[Call the cops! Quick, somebody call the police!]

Nancy smirked for a second when she saw the reactions.

She sobbed while peeking at the rapidly scrolling chatbox, her lips curving slyly.

“Of course it's real. My father sneaks into my covers every night to touch me.”

I was furious, my blood threatening to boil over. At the same time, I felt so suffocated that I could not say a single word.

The bruise on her shoulder was from when she fell off her skateboard. Back then, I had rushed her to the hospital, where the doctor said it was just a superficial injury that would heal with some medicine.

She had wept uncontrollably at the time, and I had stayed up all night with her.

The platform cut my livestream. I slumped helplessly onto my chair.

Meanwhile, Nancy wiped her tears as though nothing had happened and hummed happily, flashing me a triumphant grin.

Looking at the daughter I had adored for so long, I gritted my teeth and raised my hand, the veins in my temple bulging.

In the end, though, I still could not bring myself to hit her.