She’s With Me — Single Dad Spoke Calmly, The Billionaire Heiress Stood Frozen at the Table
Chapter 13
A year later, Daniel received an invitation.
The Ashford Foundation was reopening under Victoria’s leadership.
He almost threw the invitation away.
Emma stopped him.
“You should go.”
“Why?”
“Because Lily wants to.”
Lily nodded.
“And because I want to wear my new dress.”
Daniel looked at Emma.
“That’s your reason?”
“Absolutely.”
At the gala, the room was filled with the same kind of people Daniel had once hated.
Bankers.
Investors.
Politicians.
Men who measured everyone by what they owned.
But Daniel no longer felt small.
Not because he had become wealthy.
Because he had survived.
Victoria gave a speech.
She did not mention her father by name.
But everyone understood.
Then she announced a new program for single parents who had lost income due to wrongful corporate practices.
The room applauded.
Daniel looked at Lily.
Emma took his hand.
Victoria saw.
She smiled.
Later, a reporter approached Daniel.
“Mr. Mercer, is it true that you once had a relationship with Ms. Ashford?”
Daniel sighed.
“Yes.”
“And now?”
Daniel looked toward Emma.
The reporter followed his eyes.
Emma was standing with Lily near the dessert table.
Daniel smiled.
“She’s with me.”
The reporter paused.
Victoria, standing nearby, laughed softly.
“Some things never change.”
Daniel looked at her.
“No.”
He glanced at Emma.
“The important things do.”
