Rich Girl Mocks The Single Dad Waiter’s English—Then Her Father Calls Him “Boss”
Chapter 4
The imposter vanished before they could identify him.
The security footage had been deleted.
The assistant refused to speak again.
And Richard’s CFO suddenly called in sick.
Daniel wasn’t surprised.
He seemed almost too calm.
Amelia finally asked,
“Are you always like this?”
“Like what?”
“Calm when everything is falling apart.”
He looked at her.
“No.”
“Then what?”
“I panic internally.”
She laughed.
“That doesn’t seem very reassuring.”
“It keeps everyone else calm.”
She smiled despite herself.
It was the first time she’d laughed around him.
Daniel noticed.
He didn’t comment.
They were sitting in the private lounge of the company’s headquarters, reviewing documents.
Amelia had changed since the restaurant.
She no longer mocked employees.
She asked their names.
She thanked assistants.
She stayed after meetings.
Daniel noticed.
“You’re learning.”
She looked at him.
“I had a bad teacher.”
“Who?”
“Myself.”
He smiled.
“You’re honest.”
“I’ve been embarrassed enough to become honest.”
Daniel laughed.
She liked the sound.
That surprised her.
“What happened to your wife?” she asked suddenly.
His expression changed.
“She died.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.”
“How long ago?”
“Four years.”
“Your daughter?”
“Seven.”
“Where is she?”
“With my sister this week.”
“What happened?”
“She needed a break from the security situation.”
Amelia nodded.
“I didn’t know you were a father.”
“Most people don’t.”
“Why?”
“Because people see a single father differently.”
“How?”
“Some think I’m weak.”
She frowned.
“You’re not.”
He smiled.
“Thank you.”
She looked at him.
“Did you start as a waiter?”
“No.”
“What did you do before?”
“A lot of things.”
“That’s vague.”
“It’s private.”
She nodded.
“Fair.”
Then the door opened.
Richard entered.
“Daniel.”
Daniel stood.
“Yes?”
“I’ve found something.”
He handed him a folder.
Daniel opened it.
Inside was a loan agreement.
A private lender.
The company had borrowed twenty-five million dollars three months earlier.
The lender was a holding company Amelia had never heard of.
Daniel recognized it.
“Where did this come from?”
Richard looked at Amelia.
“Your brother.”
“No.”
“He signed it.”
“Ethan would never.”
Daniel turned a page.
The signature matched.
But the date was wrong.
The company had never discussed the loan publicly.
Someone had forged Ethan’s signature.
Daniel stood.
“We have a problem.”
“What?”
“This isn’t theft.”
Amelia stared.
“Then what is it?”
“An acquisition.”
Richard went pale.
“Explain.”
“Someone is trying to force Bennett Hospitality into default.”
“And then?”
“They can buy the assets cheaply.”
Amelia swallowed.
“Who?”
Daniel pointed at the lender.
“Mercer Capital.”
Richard closed his eyes.
“I know that name.”
“Who are they?”
“A private investment group.”
Daniel looked at him.
“You’ve dealt with them.”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Six years ago.”
Amelia frowned.
“What happened?”
Richard hesitated.
“They tried to buy the company.”
“Why didn’t they?”
“I refused.”
“Then why are they back?”
Richard looked at Daniel.
“Because they never stopped.”
Daniel said nothing.
Amelia noticed something.
“You knew.”
Richard nodded.
Daniel had already known too.
“This is why you’re undercover.”
Daniel smiled faintly.
“Partly.”
“What else?”
He looked at her.
“Your father and I have been trying to find who inside the company is helping Mercer.”
Amelia’s expression changed.
“You’ve worked together?”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Five years.”
“You’re the owner.”
“Yes.”
“And my father works for you.”
“Yes.”
She shook her head.
“You two have been keeping me in the dark.”
Richard looked guilty.
“We thought we were protecting you.”
She almost laughed.
“That seems to be everyone’s favorite excuse.”
Daniel noticed her anger.
“Your father wasn’t trying to hurt you.”
“I know.”
She looked at the documents.
“But someone is.”
Daniel nodded.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His face changed.
“What’s wrong?” Amelia asked.
He listened.
Then said,
“Get my daughter out of the house.”
Amelia stood.
“What happened?”
Daniel looked at her.
“Someone has entered my home.”
