Single Dad Bought an Old Bakery after Losing Everything—Then the CEO Who Fired Him Walked In
Chapter 2
Victoria had never looked uncomfortable in a boardroom.
Daniel had watched her silence twelve executives without raising her voice.
He had seen her negotiate million-dollar contracts while everyone else sweated through their suits.
But standing inside his little bakery, she looked lost.
That almost made him angry.
“What do you want?” Daniel asked.
Victoria glanced at the display.
“I heard the cinnamon rolls were good.”
“That’s why you’re here?”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“I don’t know how to explain it.”
“Try.”
Lily appeared from the kitchen carrying a tray.
“Daddy, we’re out of chocolate chips.”
She stopped when she saw Victoria.
“Who’s she?”
Daniel hesitated.
“My old boss.”
Lily frowned.
“The one who fired you?”
Victoria’s eyes widened.
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Lily.”
“What?”
“You cannot just say everything you think.”
“Why?”
Victoria almost smiled.
“It’s okay.”
Lily looked at her carefully.
“Are you the reason Daddy was sad?”
Daniel turned.
“Lily.”
Victoria looked down.
“Yes.”
The answer surprised him.
She didn’t defend herself.
She didn’t make excuses.
She simply admitted it.
Lily walked away.
Victoria looked at Daniel.
“She’s honest.”
“She learned from me.”
“I remember.”
Daniel crossed his arms.
“You still haven’t told me why you’re here.”
Victoria took a breath.
“I need your help.”
He laughed.
“My help?”
“Yes.”
“The man you called a liability?”
Her face tightened.
“I was wrong.”
Daniel stared.
That was the last thing he expected.
“When?”
“Six months ago.”
She stepped closer.
“The report used to fire you was false.”
Daniel didn’t move.
“I know.”
“No.”
Her voice softened.
“You know someone lied.”
“You don’t know what?”
“I know who.”
That got his attention.
“Who?”
Victoria glanced toward the window.
“Not here.”
“Then where?”
“Tonight.”
“I don’t meet with you outside.”
“You don’t have to trust me.”
She looked directly at him.
“But you should know that your firing had nothing to do with your performance.”
Daniel’s chest tightened.
“Then why?”
Victoria hesitated.
“Because I was trying to protect you.”
He laughed bitterly.
“By destroying my career?”
“I thought I had no choice.”
“What does that even mean?”
She looked at the bakery around them.
“I’ll explain everything.”
Daniel stepped back.
“I’m busy.”
“I can see that.”
She noticed the empty shelves.
“You built this?”
“Yes.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“It’s small.”
“It’s yours.”
The way she said it sounded almost like admiration.
Then she saw the old oven.
“That thing still works?”
“Sometimes.”
Victoria smiled faintly.
“I always hated that you never gave up on broken things.”
Daniel looked at her.
“You remember that?”
“I remember more than you think.”
The bell over the door rang.
A delivery driver entered.
“Mr. Brooks?”
“Yes?”
“Your flour.”
Daniel signed the invoice.
Victoria watched.
For a moment, she looked genuinely happy to see him building something.
Then her phone rang.
She answered.
Her expression changed.
“How much?”
Silence.
“Don’t move it.”
She hung up.
Daniel immediately noticed.
“What happened?”
Victoria looked at him.
“The person who framed you knows I’m here.”
He felt a chill.
“And?”
“He just made his next move.”
