She Thought She Was Saving a Homeless Old Man — Then She Discovered Why He Had Chosen Her
CHAPTER 9
Victor Hale had been Arthur’s most trusted adviser for thirty-two years.
He had helped build Reed Meridian.
He had attended Arthur’s wedding.
He had held Daniel as a child.
He had even attended Laura’s funeral.
And according to the files, he had been paying people connected to Laura’s death.
Arthur refused to believe it.
“He saved this company.”
Emily looked at him.
“Maybe he saved it for himself.”
Arthur said nothing.
Daniel arrived that evening.
When he saw the documents, his face went pale.
“I knew something was wrong.”
Emily turned.
“You knew?”
“Not this.”
Daniel pointed at one of the accounts.
“That company belongs to Victor.”
Arthur stared.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I didn’t have proof.”
“Neither did your mother,” Emily said.
Daniel looked at her.
“You’re beginning to understand.”
“What?”
“This isn’t about taking the company.”
Emily frowned.
“Then what?”
Daniel looked at Arthur.
“It’s about controlling him.”
Arthur’s expression changed.
Victor had spent years becoming indispensable.
He controlled information.
Appointments.
Security.
Financial access.
He could make Arthur see whatever he wanted him to see.
And there was something worse.
Daniel admitted that Victor had manipulated him for years.
“Victor told me my father would never accept me as his successor.”
Emily stared.
“So he used you.”
“Yes.”
“You helped him?”
Daniel looked ashamed.
“Sometimes.”
Arthur’s face hardened.
“Did you help him find Emily?”
Daniel’s eyes filled with regret.
“Yes.”
Emily stepped back.
Daniel continued quickly.
“But I never hurt her.”
“You exposed me.”
“I thought Victor wanted to protect you.”
“You believed him?”
“I was nineteen when he started filling my head with lies.”
Arthur looked at his son.
For the first time, father and son seemed to understand how completely Victor had controlled them both.
Then Arthur’s phone rang.
Victor.
Arthur answered.
Victor’s voice was calm.
“Arthur, we need to talk.”
Arthur looked at Emily.
“About what?”
“Your daughter.”
Silence.
Victor continued.
“She is becoming a problem.”
Arthur’s face turned white.
The call ended.
