He Brought His New Lover to Humiliate His Ex-Wife — Then Her Billionaire Father Walked In
Chapter 1
Daniel Carter checked his reflection for the third time before entering the private dining room.
Everything was perfect.
The restaurant was one of the most exclusive in Manhattan. The private room had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Central Park, a twelve-person table covered in white linen, and a wine list that cost more than most people’s monthly salaries.
His investors were already seated.
His business partners were there.
And beside him stood Victoria Lane.
She looked exactly the way Daniel wanted her to look.
Elegant.
Young.
Beautiful.
Successful enough to impress his guests, but not intimidating enough to steal his attention.
Daniel glanced toward the entrance.
“Are you nervous?” Victoria asked.
He smiled.
“Not at all.”
She followed his gaze.
“Why did you invite your ex-wife?”
Daniel took a sip of champagne.
“Because I want to show her that I’m doing fine.”
Victoria smiled.
“You don’t have to prove anything to her.”
“I know.”
But that wasn’t true.
Daniel had spent eleven months thinking about Emma Sterling.
Not because he missed her.
At least, that was what he told himself.
He thought about her because she had walked away without begging him to stay.
She hadn’t called.
She hadn’t shown up at his office.
She hadn’t posted angry messages online.
She hadn’t even tried to make him jealous.
She simply disappeared from his life.
And Daniel hated that.
He wanted her to see what she had supposedly lost.
The door opened.
Everyone turned.
Emma walked inside.
Daniel’s smile appeared instantly.
She looked different.
Not devastated.
Not desperate.
Calm.
She wore a simple black dress with almost no jewelry.
Daniel almost laughed.
Then he saw the man beside her.
His smile disappeared.
Richard Sterling.
Emma’s father.
Daniel knew that face.
Everyone in the room did.
Richard Sterling had built Sterling Holdings from a small construction business into one of America’s largest private investment groups.
Daniel suddenly felt the room becoming smaller.
Victoria whispered:
“That’s her father?”
Daniel didn’t answer.
Richard approached the table.
“Daniel.”
Daniel stood.
“Mr. Sterling.”
They shook hands.
Richard’s expression was unreadable.
“I heard you’ve been doing well.”
Daniel forced a smile.
“Very well.”
Richard glanced at his daughter.
“I hope so.”
Emma sat down.
Daniel returned to his chair.
For the first time that evening, he wasn’t sure who had invited whom.
Then Richard placed a black leather briefcase beside his chair.
Daniel noticed it.
He also noticed something else.
Emma had looked at the briefcase.
And for the first time, Daniel saw uncertainty in her eyes.
Whatever was inside that case had nothing to do with dinner.
And everything to do with him.
