Chapter 9: The Target They Chose
The sentence followed me like a shadow.
Your daughter was never supposed to be here tonight.
I stared at my father.
“What does that mean?””
Michael didn’t answer immediately.
That scared me more than anything.
Because my father had always been the person with answers.
The person who knew what to do.
Now he looked terrified.
He folded the note and put it into his pocket.
“Daniel, we need to leave.””
I stepped forward.
“No.””
My voice was firm.
“No more.””
Everyone stopped.
“I spent seventeen years believing my family abandoned me.””
I looked at Michael.
“I spent seventeen years thinking my mother was dead.””
Then I looked at Claire.
“I spent years hating her.””
Finally, I looked at Thomas.
“And I trusted someone who may have betrayed us.””
My chest tightened.
“So nobody walks away until I know everything.””
Michael looked at Lily.
Then he nodded.
“You’re right.””
It was strange hearing my father admit that.
“You deserve the truth.””
We moved back into the private conference room near the lobby.
For the first time in years, all four of us sat together.
My parents.
My uncle.
And me.
It should have been a family reunion.
Instead, it felt like a trial.
Michael placed the envelope on the table.
“The person behind this has been watching us for a long time.””
“Who?””
He looked at Claire.
She nodded.
“It’s someone connected to your father’s company.””
Thomas spoke quietly.
“Someone powerful.””
I looked at him.
“You knew.””
He didn’t deny it.
“I suspected.””
“Who?””
Michael looked at me.
“Victor Hale.””
The name meant nothing at first.
Then it hit me.
Victor Hale was the CEO of Hale Global.
One of the biggest corporations in the country.
A man who appeared on magazine covers.
A man who donated millions to charities.
A man everyone admired.
“You’re saying he did this?””
Michael nodded.
“He wanted Brooks Enterprises.””
Richard looked shocked.
“But why involve the family?””
“Because my company was protected by family ownership.””
Michael leaned back.
“He couldn’t take control while I was alive.””
“So he killed you.””
“He tried.””
The room went silent.
I looked at him.
“You survived?””
Michael nodded.
“The crash was planned. I escaped, but I knew if I returned immediately, he would finish the job.””
“And Mom?””
Claire answered.
“I helped him disappear.””
The words hurt.
But this time, I understood.
“You both left me.””
Claire’s eyes filled with tears.
“Yes.””
She didn’t make excuses.
“And I will regret that every day.””
Michael looked down.
“But we thought keeping you away from us was the only way.””
I looked at Lily.
The thought of someone threatening her made my blood run cold.
“Why now?””
Michael’s expression changed.
“Because you returned.””
I frowned.
“What?””
“Your name appeared on the ownership transfer.””
Richard nodded.
“The moment Mr. Brooks returned to the hotel, the company systems automatically notified several executives.””
I understood.
My return wasn’t just emotional.
It was public.
Everyone knew Daniel Brooks was back.
Including Victor Hale.
A security officer suddenly rushed into the room.
“Mr. Collins!””
Richard stood.
“What happened?””
The officer looked at me.
“There’s someone outside demanding to speak with Mr. Brooks.””
Michael stood.
“Who?””
The officer swallowed.
“She says she’s here to tell Daniel the truth about his father’s death.””
My heart started pounding.
“Who is she?””
The officer looked at his tablet.
Then said:
“Her name is Sophia Hale.””
Nobody moved.
Michael’s face changed instantly.
“No.””
I looked at him.
“Who is Sophia Hale?””
My father stared at the door.
And when he answered, his voice was barely a whisper.
“Victor Hale’s daughter.””
The door opened.
A young woman stepped inside.
And the first thing she said was:
“Daniel Brooks… your father didn’t die because of my father.””
May you like
She looked directly at Michael.
“He died because of what your father did.””
