He Brought His New Lover to Humiliate His Ex-Wife — Then Her Billionaire Father Walked In
Chapter 2
The first course arrived.
Conversation slowly returned.
Daniel began talking about his company’s expansion.
He spoke confidently about a new acquisition that would supposedly make Carter Financial one of the fastest-growing investment firms in New York.
His investors nodded.
Victoria smiled proudly.
Emma listened quietly.
Daniel noticed.
“You’ve been quiet.”
Emma looked at him.
“I’m listening.”
“I thought you’d have more to say.”
“About what?”
“My company.”
Emma smiled.
“It’s your company now.”
Daniel leaned back.
“Exactly.”
The word carried an unnecessary emphasis.
Richard looked at him.
Daniel ignored it.
“You know, Emma, I wasn’t sure you’d come tonight.”
“I almost didn’t.”
“I suppose you wanted to see how things turned out.”
Emma took a sip of water.
“Yes.”
Daniel smiled.
“Well?”
She looked around.
“You seem happy.”
“Very.”
Victoria reached for his hand.
Daniel squeezed it.
“I found someone who understands me.”
Emma nodded.
“I’m glad.”
That response irritated him more than anger would have.
He had expected jealousy.
Instead, Emma looked genuinely indifferent.
Daniel decided to push harder.
“Sometimes divorce is necessary.”
Everyone became quiet.
Daniel continued.
“We were simply holding each other back.”
Emma looked at him.
“Were we?”
“You wanted a different life.”
“You wanted a different wife.”
Victoria’s smile disappeared.
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“Let’s not make this uncomfortable.”
Emma shrugged.
“You started the conversation.”
Richard finally spoke.
“Daniel.”
“Yes?”
“Do you remember the first investment your company ever received?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Of course.”
“Who provided it?”
Daniel smiled nervously.
“My investors.”
Richard shook his head.
“No.”
The room became silent.
“You received a private credit line through Sterling Capital.”
Daniel’s expression changed.
“That was years ago.”
“Correct.”
“It was business.”
“Your business.”
Richard looked directly at him.
“But the collateral belonged to my daughter.”
Victoria slowly turned toward Daniel.
“What does he mean?”
Daniel answered quickly.
“Emma and I were married.”
Richard interrupted.
“After the divorce, the credit line was renewed.”
Emma frowned.
She looked at her father.
“After?”
Richard opened his briefcase.
He removed a document.
Emma read it.
Her face changed.
Her name appeared at the bottom.
The date was six months after her divorce.
Emma stared at the signature.
“I didn’t sign this.”
Daniel stopped breathing.
Richard calmly folded the document.
“That is exactly what I wanted to discuss.”
The dinner was no longer a celebration.
It was an investigation.
