She Fell in Love With a Worker — Unaware He Was the Millionaire Architect and Owner!
Chapter 4
Daniel went back to work as usual.
At least, that’s what everyone thought.
Behind the scenes, he launched a quiet internal investigation.
Only three people knew his real identity.
His assistant, Sophie Grant.
His lawyer, Michael Reed.
And his head of finance, James Carter.
They examined every transfer connected to Eastwood.
Three million dollars had been moved through a chain of shell vendors.
The companies looked legitimate.
But two shared the same mailing address.
One had no employees.
Another had been created four months earlier.
Daniel frowned.
“Someone planned this.”
James nodded.
“They’re siphoning money through the construction contracts.”
“Why?”
“To make the project look financially unstable.”
Daniel looked at the numbers.
“Then they can cancel it.”
“Or sell it.”
Daniel understood.
A competing developer had been trying to buy the surrounding properties for months.
If Eastwood failed, the neighborhood would become vulnerable.
The community could be displaced.
Emma had been right to worry.
Daniel closed the file.
“Don’t tell anyone yet.”
“What about Emma?”
Daniel looked up.
“No.”
James raised an eyebrow.
“Why not?”
“Because she’s not involved.”
Not yet.
That afternoon, Emma approached him.
“You’re quiet.”
“I’m working.”
“You’re always working.”
“True.”
She studied him.
“Something’s wrong.”
Daniel smiled.
“Why do you think that?”
“Because you stopped making jokes.”
He looked at her.
“You noticed?”
“Yes.”
She crossed her arms.
“Tell me.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re not my boss.”
“Neither are you.”
He laughed.
“Exactly.”
She smiled.
Then she handed him something.
A small sketch.
“What is this?”
“Your ramp.”
He looked at it.
She had redrawn the entire entrance.
“It could save us about sixty thousand dollars.”
Daniel studied it.
“It might.”
“I already showed the site supervisor.”
“Good.”
“I also showed one of the project consultants.”
Daniel’s expression changed.
“Which one?”
“Richard Vale.”
The name hit him.
Richard was Sterling Urban Group’s chief development officer.
He had worked for Daniel for eight years.
Daniel had trusted him.
Or thought he did.
“What did Richard say?”
“He loved the design.”
Daniel relaxed slightly.
“Good.”
“He asked me to send him the original file.”
Daniel’s suspicion returned.
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“He didn’t need it.”
Daniel smiled.
“Smart.”
Emma smiled back.
“I’m learning.”
They stood there for a moment.
Then she asked,
“Do you ever feel like you’re meant for something else?”
Daniel froze.
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t seem like a regular worker.”
He laughed.
“I’m not.”
“What are you, then?”
He looked at her.
The answer was on the tip of his tongue.
An architect.
An owner.
The man responsible for the project she cared about.
But before he could answer, Richard walked toward them.
“Daniel.”
Daniel turned.
“Richard.”
Richard looked at Emma.
“Ms. Walker.”
“Mr. Vale.”
Richard smiled.
“Daniel, I need you in the office.”
“I’m busy.”
“It can’t wait.”
Richard’s eyes moved to the sketch in Daniel’s hand.
“What is that?”
“A design.”
“For the project?”
“Yes.”
Richard’s smile tightened.
“Interesting.”
He took another look.
Then walked away.
Daniel watched him.
Emma noticed.
“You don’t like him.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
Daniel folded the sketch.
That night, the three-million-dollar discrepancy grew to almost five million.
Someone was moving fast.
And the person doing it knew exactly where to look.
The next morning, Daniel received a report.
One of his confidential files had been accessed.
The file contained his identity.
Someone knew that the “construction worker” on the site was actually the owner.
