Homeless Boy Shouts ‘Don’t Eat That!’ Billionaire Freezes When He Finds Out Why
Chapter 8
Daniel spent the next six hours trying to locate the call.
The number was untraceable.
Ethan insisted they move immediately.
But Daniel refused.
“My father wants me to know he’s alive.”
“That’s exactly why it’s dangerous.”
“I need answers.”
“You may get a bullet instead.”
Daniel looked at Lily.
“I’ve already lost ten years with her.”
Ethan understood.
They traveled to a private airport.
Daniel’s jet was ready.
But before they boarded, Sam stopped.
“Wait.”
Everyone turned.
Sam was staring at a maintenance worker.
The man wore a gray uniform.
A silver ring.
Black stone.
Daniel recognized it.
He grabbed Lily.
“Down!”
The man pulled a weapon.
Security reacted instantly.
The attacker ran.
Ethan chased him.
The man escaped through a service corridor.
But he dropped something.
A photograph.
Daniel picked it up.
It showed his father standing beside Martin.
And beside them was another person.
Laura.
Daniel’s hands shook.
She wasn’t frightened in the photograph.
She looked angry.
The photograph had been taken three months before her death.
Daniel stared.
“She knew.”
Ethan nodded.
“Yes.”
“She was working against them.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t she tell me?”
“Because she knew you wouldn’t stop.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
The truth was becoming unbearable.
His wife had sacrificed herself.
His daughter had grown up without him.
His best friend had disappeared.
His father had faked his death.
And the person Daniel trusted most had betrayed him.
Everything was connected.
They flew to Switzerland.
Daniel’s father lived in a secluded estate outside Geneva.
Security surrounded the property.
Daniel walked through the gates.
The front door opened before he knocked.
Richard Mercer stood inside.
Older.
Thinner.
But unmistakably alive.
Daniel stared at him.
“You let me bury you.”
Richard nodded.
“I had to.”
“You let me think Laura died without telling me about Lily.”
“I was protecting the family.”
“You destroyed my family.”
Richard’s expression hardened.
“I built your family.”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“You built a lie.”
Richard looked toward Lily.
“My granddaughter.”
Lily stepped forward.
“Why did you hide me?”
“Because you were valuable.”
She flinched.
Daniel stepped between them.
“Don’t talk to her like that.”
Richard sighed.
“You don’t understand the world you’re in.”
“Then explain it.”
Richard looked at Ethan.
“You survived.”
“Yes.”
“That was inconvenient.”
Ethan stepped forward.
“You killed Robert.”
Richard shook his head.
“Martin did.”
Daniel looked at him.
“Then why poison me?”
Richard didn’t answer.
“Why?”
Richard finally spoke.
“Because you refused to step aside.”
Daniel stared.
“You wanted my company.”
“I wanted the family restored.”
“No.”
Daniel’s voice became cold.
“You wanted control.”
Richard smiled.
“Control is survival.”
Daniel shook his head.
“You’re my father.”
Richard’s expression softened.
“For the first time, you’re beginning to understand me.”
Daniel looked at Lily.
Then Ethan.
Then the man who had ruined his life.
“I understand one thing.”
Richard waited.
Daniel said:
“You’ve lost.”
Richard smiled.
“No, Daniel.”
He pointed toward the window.
Police vehicles surrounded the estate.
“You’re only beginning to see the real game.”
