CEO Made Her Nephew Lead Mechanic Over a Single Dad—Then the Whole Crew Walked Out
Chapter 10
Claire couldn’t breathe.
“My father hired Nathan?”
Tyler nodded.
“To protect the company.”
“From Ronan.”
“Yes.”
“Then why did he keep the secret?”
“Because Ronan had people everywhere.”
“And the accident?”
Tyler lowered his eyes.
“Your father discovered the brake failure was connected to a larger plan.”
“What plan?”
Ronan wanted to force Bennett Automotive into selling.
But he needed one thing first.
A scandal.
A major safety failure.
A reason for regulators to shut them down.
The accident could have been that scandal.
Nathan had been assigned to protect the evidence.
But instead of exposing the sabotage, he buried it.
“Why?”
“Because Ronan threatened him.”
“With what?”
Tyler looked at Claire.
“Your father.”
Claire’s heart stopped.
“What?”
“Ronan knew about your father’s heart condition.”
“He had a heart condition?”
“Yes.”
Claire had never known.
Her father had hidden it.
Tyler continued.
“Ronan told him that if the company fought back, he’d destroy everyone.”
Claire sat down.
“So my father surrendered.”
“No.”
Tyler shook his head.
“He made a secret plan.”
“What plan?”
“To pass the evidence to Mason.”
Claire’s eyes widened.
Mason.
The project file.
The succession document.
Everything connected.
Her father had trusted Mason because he knew Mason wouldn’t be bought.
Then why was Mason never told?
“Because your father died before he could finish,” Tyler said.
Claire covered her face.
She had spent years believing her father had simply left her a company.
He had actually left her a war.
And she had almost lost it because she had been too busy protecting family.
She stood.
“Where is Nathan?”
“I don’t know.”
“Find him.”
Tyler hesitated.
“He’ll know where the final files are.”
Claire stared.
“What final files?”
“The ownership documents.”
“What ownership?”
“The service centers Ronan secretly acquired.”
Claire’s heart raced.
If Ronan controlled enough service centers, he could force Bennett Automotive into collapse.
But if those transfers were made under pressure, they could be challenged.
She called Mason.
He answered.
“I know.”
“You know what?”
“Ronan is moving.”
“How?”
“Two of our former suppliers were just bought.”
Claire frowned.
“How do you know?”
“I have friends.”
She smiled faintly.
Then Mason said,
“There is another problem.”
“What?”
“Someone is looking for Emma.”
Claire froze.
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is she safe?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“With me.”
Her heart jumped.
“Thank you.”
“They followed me from school.”
Claire’s blood ran cold.
“What happened?”
“I got there first.”
She closed her eyes.
Ronan had crossed a line.
“No more,” she whispered.
“What?”
“No more protecting the company.”
Mason was silent.
“I’m protecting the people.”
He nodded.
“Then we’re on the same page.”
That evening, Claire arrived at Mason’s house.
Emma ran toward her.
“You came!”
Claire smiled.
“Of course.”
Mason watched from the kitchen.
He looked exhausted.
But there was something warm in his eyes.
Claire knelt beside Emma.
“Can I ask you something?”
Emma nodded.
“Did someone scare you today?”
“No.”
“Did Daddy tell you not to talk to strangers?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Emma looked at Claire.
“Are you staying?”
Claire looked up at Mason.
He didn’t answer.
She looked back at Emma.
“For tonight.”
Emma smiled.
“Good.”
That night, while Mason made dinner, Claire stood beside him.
“This feels normal.”
He looked at her.
“It isn’t.”
“No.”
She smiled.
“But I like it.”
Mason looked away.
“So do I.”
The room became quiet.
Then Emma called from the living room.
“Daddy!”
“Yes?”
“Claire likes you!”
Mason closed his eyes.
Claire started laughing.
For the first time in weeks, he smiled.
But the peaceful moment didn’t last.
A car stopped outside.
Mason’s face changed.
He moved toward the window.
A man stepped out.
Nathan Bennett.
He looked terrified.
And he carried a briefcase.
