Chapter 7: The Man I Trusted
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Daniel stood in the middle of my childhood home, surrounded by memories of my family, and I felt like I was looking at a stranger.
The man who had welcomed me back to Sterling Crown.
The man who claimed he wanted to protect my father’s legacy.
The man who had held my hand through every shocking discovery.
Now Richard was saying he was the person who betrayed us.
I looked at Daniel.
“Say something.””
His mouth opened.
Then closed.
That silence hurt more than any accusation.
“Daniel.””
He finally looked at me.
“Amelia, it’s not what you think.””
I laughed softly.
“Everyone says that right before explaining exactly what I think.””
Richard stepped forward.
“Don’t let him distract you.””
I turned sharply.
“And why should I trust you?””
Richard stopped.
Because he knew the answer.
I didn’t trust either of them.
Not anymore.
Daniel took a slow breath.
“I never betrayed your father.””
“Then explain.””
He looked at the letter in my hand.
“Your father knew everything.””
I frowned.
“What?””
Daniel’s voice became quieter.
“Your father knew someone was moving money. He knew someone inside the company was working against him.””
“Then why didn’t he tell me?””
“Because he didn’t know who he could trust.””
Richard immediately shook his head.
“That’s not true.””
Everyone looked at him.
Richard’s expression changed.
“Your father knew.””
I stared.
“Knew what?””
Richard looked at me.
“He knew the betrayal was bigger than one person.””
The room became silent.
I felt a cold feeling in my chest.
“What does that mean?””
Richard looked at Daniel.
“Tell her.””
Daniel looked away.
“I can’t.””
My patience disappeared.
“Can’t?””
I stepped closer.
“You have spent years making decisions about my life. You have protected secrets that belonged to me. You don’t get to say you can’t anymore.””
Daniel lowered his head.
Finally, he spoke.
“Your father discovered that several executives were secretly moving money from Sterling Crown.””
I froze.
“How many?””
“Five.””
Richard nodded.
“But the person leading them was never found.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Why did Richard accuse you?””
Daniel hesitated.
“Because I was the one who discovered the accounts.””
Richard interrupted.
“And because he was the only person with access.””
I looked between them.
The truth was becoming harder to find.
Everyone had a piece.
Everyone had a reason.
Then my phone rang.
I looked down.
It was the hotel.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A frightened employee spoke.
“Ms. Carter, I’m sorry to disturb you, but something happened.””
“What happened?””
“The board members are arriving.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why?””
A pause.
Then:
“They’re demanding an emergency meeting.””
Richard looked at me.
“They’re moving faster than I expected.””
I ignored him.
“Who called the meeting?””
The employee lowered his voice.
“Victoria Hayes.””
I frowned.
“The receptionist?””
“Yes.””
That made no sense.
A receptionist didn’t have power over the board.
Unless…
“She wasn’t just a receptionist.””
Richard’s expression became serious.
“No.””
He looked toward the window.
“She was placed there.””
“By who?””
Nobody answered.
Because deep down, we all knew.
Someone had been watching me from the beginning.
Someone wanted to know if I would return.
Someone wanted to see if I was weak.
I grabbed my coat.
“We’re going back to the hotel.””
Daniel looked at me.
“Amelia—”
I held up my hand.
“I don’t know who betrayed my father.””
I looked at Richard.
“I don’t know if I can trust you.””
Then I looked at Daniel.
“But I know one thing.””
May you like
I picked up the old family folder.
“I’m done being the last person to know the truth.””
