Billionaire Ordered in a Foreign Language to Humiliate the Waitress — Her Reply Left Him Speechless
Chapter 8
Claire told them everything.
Twenty-three years earlier, she had discovered the offshore accounts.
She had copied documents proving Victor Hale controlled a network moving billions through shell companies.
Victor Blackwood had been involved, but he wasn’t the mastermind.
He had tried to withdraw.
That decision nearly destroyed him.
Claire had intended to take the evidence to authorities.
Victor found out.
He arranged the accident.
Claire survived.
But before she could escape, she was taken to a private facility.
She spent months recovering.
When she learned she was pregnant, she realized Victor would use the baby against Adrian.
So she disappeared.
Adrian listened in silence.
“Why didn’t you come back?”
Claire looked at him.
“Because every time I tried, someone stopped me.”
“Who?”
“Your father.”
Adrian’s face tightened.
“He protected me.”
Claire nodded.
“Your father was terrified of Victor.”
“Then why didn’t he tell me?”
“Because he knew Victor would kill you.”
Adrian looked down.
His father’s actions suddenly appeared different.
Not innocent.
But complicated.
Claire continued.
“Victor wanted the company. Your father wanted out. He used you as leverage.”
Amelia asked:
“Why didn’t you tell me who my father was?”
Claire took her hand.
“Because I was afraid you would find him.”
“I did.”
Claire looked at Adrian.
“And now Victor knows.”
Thomas interrupted.
“We need to move.”
Claire shook her head.
“It’s too late.”
“What do you mean?”
“He already has the evidence.”
Adrian frowned.
“What evidence?”
“The original files.”
Claire looked at him.
“I kept copies for twenty-three years.”
“Where?”
She pointed toward the station wall.
“Behind the clock.”
Thomas climbed the stairs.
Inside the clock was a metal case.
But it was empty.
Adrian’s stomach dropped.
“He found it.”
Claire nodded.
“There was another copy.”
“Where?”
Claire looked at Amelia.
“Your pendant.”
Amelia touched the silver necklace.
“What?”
Claire carefully removed it.
Inside the pendant was a tiny compartment.
A microfilm strip was hidden inside.
Adrian stared.
“You carried it for twenty-eight years?”
Claire nodded.
“I didn’t know what else to do.”
Thomas examined it.
“This could expose everyone.”
Adrian looked at Claire.
“Then we release it.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because Victor isn’t interested in prison.”
She looked at Amelia.
“He wants you.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“He won’t get her.”
Claire shook her head.
“You don’t understand.”
She pointed toward the station entrance.
“He already has someone.”
A man’s voice came from behind them.
“She’s right.”
Everyone turned.
Victor Hale stood in the doorway.
Older.
Calm.
A gun in his hand.
Adrian stepped in front of Amelia.
Victor smiled.
“Twenty-three years.”
Claire’s eyes filled with anger.
“You should have died.”
Victor laughed.
“You tried.”
Adrian stared at him.
“You destroyed our lives.”
Victor shrugged.
“No. I built them.”
“You killed people.”
“I protected an empire.”
“You kidnapped Claire.”
“I preserved a secret.”
Adrian’s voice became cold.
“What do you want?”
Victor looked at Amelia.
“Her.”
