Single Dad Bought an Old Bakery after Losing Everything—Then the CEO Who Fired Him Walked In
Chapter 6
The attack changed the way Daniel saw everything.
He installed cameras.
Reinforced the back door.
Added better locks.
Victoria hired security.
Daniel hated that.
“I don’t need bodyguards.”
“You do now.”
“I’ve survived worse.”
Victoria looked at him.
“Your daughter shouldn’t have to.”
He had no response.
For the next week, business at the bakery grew.
The local community rallied around him.
People brought flowers.
Neighbors painted the windows.
A retired carpenter repaired the oven.
A little girl from down the street left Lily a note:
Your dad makes the best cinnamon rolls.
Lily pinned it behind the counter.
Daniel watched the town support them.
He realized something.
He hadn’t lost everything.
Not really.
He had gained a community.
Victoria began visiting every morning.
At first, she came for coffee.
Then she started helping.
She learned the register.
She packed pastries.
She even learned how to decorate cupcakes.
Badly.
“You’ve got too much frosting,” Daniel said.
“They’re supposed to look elegant.”
“They look frightened.”
Victoria laughed.
“You’re impossible.”
Lily watched from the doorway.
“You like my dad.”
Victoria froze.
Daniel nearly dropped the tray.
“Lily.”
“What?”
Victoria cleared her throat.
“Your dad is a very good person.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Daniel tried not to laugh.
Victoria whispered,
“Your daughter interrogates people.”
“She gets that from her father.”
Lily smiled.
That evening, after closing, Daniel and Victoria sat on the front steps.
“You look happy,” she said.
“I am.”
“Even without the money?”
He thought about it.
“Especially without the money.”
Victoria smiled.
“I envy you.”
“Me?”
“You built something without needing permission.”
Daniel looked at her.
“You could do that too.”
She laughed softly.
“People like me don’t get to start over.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone expects us to stay the same.”
He studied her.
“Do you want to?”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“I want to be someone who can walk into a bakery and buy a cinnamon roll without having to be the CEO.”
Daniel smiled.
“You can.”
“Good.”
She leaned closer.
“Because I like this version of me.”
The moment almost became something else.
Then her phone rang.
She answered.
Her face went pale.
“Daniel.”
“What?”
“The board has called an emergency meeting.”
“Why?”
She looked at him.
“They found the money trail.”
“Where?”
“Back to your bakery.”
Daniel stood.
“What?”
Victoria whispered,
“They’re accusing me of using your bakery as a front.”
He stared.
“That’s impossible.”
“I know.”
She looked at the darkened storefront.
“But someone just planted another lie.”
