Chapter 10: The Father They Tried To Destroy
Daniel read the document again.
Then again.
The words refused to make sense.
A psychological evaluation.
A report claiming he was unstable.
A report claiming he had become obsessed with protecting his company and was no longer capable of caring for his own daughter.
But Daniel had never seen this doctor.
Never attended an evaluation.
Never signed anything.
Yet his signature was there.
Perfectly copied.
Richard watched him closely.
“You’re quiet.””
Daniel slowly lifted his eyes.
“You forged this.””
Richard smiled.
“Can you prove that?””
The question hit harder than an accusation.
Because Daniel understood.
That was the plan.
Not just to hurt him.
To make him look like the kind of person nobody would believe.
A powerful businessman losing control.
A grieving son obsessed with his father’s legacy.
A paranoid father imagining enemies everywhere.
Richard had built a story.
And now he wanted the world to accept it.
“You were always better at paperwork than people,” Daniel said.
Richard laughed.
“And you were always better at pretending everyone loved you.””
The room went silent.
Lily stood behind Daniel, holding his jacket.
She didn’t understand every word.
But she understood one thing.
Her uncle was dangerous.
“Daddy,” she whispered.
Daniel immediately looked back.
“I’m here.””
Richard watched the moment.
Then his expression changed.
Almost annoyed.
“You see?””
Daniel looked at him.
“What?””
“You still think love protects you.””
Richard stepped closer.
“It doesn’t.””
Daniel moved between him and Lily.
“Get away from my daughter.””
Richard smiled.
“There it is.””
“What?””
“The anger.””
Daniel froze.
Richard pointed toward the document.
“Exactly what the report describes.””
Daniel felt his stomach tighten.
Richard wasn’t arguing.
He was performing.
Creating evidence.
Creating a scene.
Then Victoria stepped forward.
“Enough.””
Everyone looked at her.
Richard raised an eyebrow.
“You?””
Victoria’s voice was calm.
“You used me.””
Richard laughed.
“You knew exactly what you were doing.””
“No.””
She shook her head.
“I knew you wanted control. I didn’t know you wanted to destroy a child.””
Richard’s face hardened.
“You’re suddenly innocent?””
“No.””
Victoria looked at Daniel.
“I’m not.””
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Victoria pulled out her phone.
“I recorded our conversations.””
Richard’s expression changed.
“What?””
“The meetings.””
Daniel stared at her.
“You recorded him?””
Victoria nodded.
“I knew if things went wrong, I needed proof.””
Richard stepped forward.
“You wouldn’t.””
Victoria held up the phone.
“I already did.””
The confidence disappeared from Richard’s face.
For the first time, he looked afraid.
An hour later, Daniel sat in the farmhouse office reviewing everything.
The recordings.
The documents.
The evidence.
For the first time, the pieces were connecting.
Richard had planned the company takeover.
Thomas helped create the false legal documents.
Victoria had been involved but had turned against him.
But one question remained.
“Why Lily?””
Victoria looked down.
“Because your father left everything protected under her name.””
Daniel frowned.
“She was seven years old.””
“Exactly.””
Victoria looked at him.
“Richard couldn’t threaten her legally. He couldn’t remove her. He needed you gone.””
Daniel looked at Lily.
His daughter was sitting quietly, drawing on an old piece of paper.
She looked so small.
Too small to carry a secret that could destroy a family.
Then his phone rang.
It was Mark.
Daniel answered.
“Tell me you found something useful.””
Mark’s voice was urgent.
“I did.””
“What?””
“The doctor who signed that evaluation.””
Daniel stood.
“What about him?””
“He disappeared yesterday.””
Daniel’s face changed.
“Disappeared?””
“Yes.””
A pause.
Then Mark continued.
“But I found his last email.””
Daniel gripped the phone.
“What did it say?””
Mark hesitated.
“Mr. Carter…”
“What?””
“He said he was sorry.””
Daniel waited.
“He said Richard threatened his family.””
Silence.
Then Mark added:
“And he left one final message.””
Daniel’s voice lowered.
“What message?””
Mark answered:
“He wrote that the real mastermind wasn’t Richard.””
Daniel felt cold.
“What are you talking about?””
Mark’s voice became quieter.
“He said Richard was only following orders.””
Daniel looked around the farmhouse.
At Victoria.
At the hidden documents.
At the family secrets.
Then Mark said the words that changed everything.
“The person who started this plan was someone who died years ago.””
Daniel froze.
“Who?””
May you like
A pause.
“Your father.””
