Single Dad Applied as a Janitor — Then the Billionaire CEO Recognized His Name
Chapter 4
Victor Shaw didn’t look like a dangerous man.
That was what made Daniel uneasy.
He was sixty-two.
Immaculate gray suit.
Silver watch.
Calm smile.
He had the polished manners of someone who had spent his entire life in boardrooms.
“Daniel Brooks,” Victor said.
“Welcome to Sterling Global.”
Daniel didn’t answer.
Evelyn stepped between them.
“What are you doing here?”
Victor looked amused.
“My office is here.”
“This floor belongs to my father’s estate.”
“And I was his adviser.”
Evelyn’s voice hardened.
“You were.”
Victor smiled.
“You’ve always had your father’s temper.”
“And you always had his trust.”
Victor’s eyes briefly narrowed.
Then he looked at Daniel.
“Thomas was a good man.”
Daniel felt anger rise.
“You knew him.”
“Very well.”
“What happened to him?”
Victor’s expression became sympathetic.
“An accident.”
“You believe that?”
Victor looked at Evelyn.
“Your father certainly did.”
Daniel took out the photograph.
Victor glanced at it.
“Old memories.”
“My father wrote your name on the back.”
“Did he?”
Daniel read the sentence aloud.
Victor listened.
Then laughed softly.
“Thomas always suspected everyone.”
“Did you kill him?”
Silence.
Evelyn looked at Daniel.
Victor’s expression never changed.
“You should be careful with accusations.”
“Answer me.”
Victor stepped closer.
“I admired your father.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Victor smiled.
“No.”
Then he walked past them.
Before entering the office, he turned.
“Your father made one mistake.”
“What?”
“He trusted the wrong people.”
The door closed.
Daniel looked at Evelyn.
“You let him stay?”
“He controls too much.”
“You’re CEO.”
“That doesn’t mean everyone beneath me is loyal.”
They entered the old executive office.
Dust covered most surfaces.
Evelyn had barely touched the room since her father died.
Daniel walked slowly.
A large desk.
Old books.
Photographs.
A locked cabinet.
He noticed something.
A mark on the cabinet.
B-17.
He looked at Evelyn.
She took out the brass key.
It fit.
The cabinet opened.
Inside were financial files.
A small recorder.
And a sealed envelope.
Evelyn opened it.
The letter was addressed to her.
Evelyn,
If Victor is still beside you when you read this, I failed.
Her breathing stopped.
Daniel read over her shoulder.
Thomas discovered that the theft was larger than we thought.
But the money isn’t what Victor wants.
He wants control of the company.
And he needs two people out of the way.
Evelyn whispered,
“Me and Thomas.”
Daniel continued.
If Thomas’s son ever comes here, protect him.
Evelyn looked at Daniel.
Then came the final line.
He is the only person Victor cannot buy.
Silence.
Daniel looked at the financial files.
“What is this?”
Evelyn opened one.
“Shell companies.”
Another.
“Property acquisitions.”
Another.
“Payments.”
Daniel looked at the dates.
“These transactions happened after my father died.”
“Yes.”
“So someone continued using his name.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Which means…”
“Your father wasn’t the criminal.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Someone was using him.”
Then a sound came from the hallway.
A door slammed.
Evelyn rushed outside.
Victor was gone.
But on the floor was a single envelope.
Daniel picked it up.
Inside was a photograph of Lily.
Taken that morning.
On the back were seven words:
Some debts are paid by children.
Daniel’s blood ran cold.
