Single Dad Applied as a Janitor — Then the Billionaire CEO Recognized His Name
Chapter 12
Their relationship was not immediately easy.
They were both stubborn.
Daniel had become used to making decisions alone.
Evelyn had spent her entire life leading people.
They had arguments.
They learned.
They apologized.
Most importantly, they stopped hiding.
One morning, Evelyn arrived at the Brooks family office carrying coffee.
Daniel looked up.
“What’s this?”
“Peace offering.”
“For what?”
“I yelled yesterday.”
“You did.”
“I was right.”
He laughed.
“That makes the apology less convincing.”
She smiled.
“I still mean it.”
He took the coffee.
“Thank you.”
She sat down.
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
“What?”
“The board voted.”
Daniel frowned.
“About what?”
“They want to merge Brooks Logistics and Sterling Global.”
He nearly spit out his coffee.
“No.”
She laughed.
“I knew you’d say that.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re cautious.”
“Because our fathers nearly lost everything because of business politics.”
She nodded.
“I agree.”
“So?”
“I rejected the proposal.”
Daniel stared.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want what they built.”
She took his hand.
“I want what we’re building.”
He smiled.
Later that week, Daniel and Lily visited the memorial.
Lily placed flowers beneath the photograph of Thomas.
“Was Grandpa brave?”
Daniel nodded.
“Very.”
“Was he rich?”
Daniel laughed.
“Eventually.”
“Did he help people?”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“Like you.”
Daniel knelt.
“I’m trying.”
Lily hugged him.
Evelyn watched from a distance.
She realized she wanted this.
Not just Daniel.
Not just Lily.
A family.
Something her father had never been able to give her.
That night, she told Daniel.
“I used to think success meant making everyone afraid of disappointing you.”
He smiled.
“And now?”
“Now I think success is having someone waiting when you come home.”
Daniel looked at her.
“That’s a pretty good definition.”
She laughed.
“I’ve had time to think.”
Then her expression became serious.
“Would you ever leave?”
He knew what she meant.
“No.”
“Even if I make things difficult?”
“Especially then.”
She rested her head against him.
They stayed there in silence.
Then Daniel’s phone rang.
Mark.
“What’s wrong?”
“We found another file.”
“About Victor?”
“No.”
“Your father.”
Daniel stood.
“What about him?”
“The night before he died, Thomas made one final transfer.”
“Where?”
Mark hesitated.
“To a trust in your daughter’s name.”
Daniel froze.
“Lily?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
A pause.
“Enough to change her entire future.”
Daniel looked at Evelyn.
The past wasn’t finished.
There was still one final gift Thomas had left behind.
