Single Dad Sat Alone at the Bar—Then His Cold CEO Boss Smiled and Asked, “Will You Buy Me a Drink?”
Chapter 4
The board meeting began at nine.
Victoria walked into the room and became someone else.
Her warmth disappeared.
Her posture sharpened.
Her voice became controlled.
Daniel watched from the side.
He had always known she was powerful.
Now he understood why people feared her.
Chairman Graham Pierce sat at the center.
He was in his sixties, silver-haired, polished, and charming.
“Victoria,” he said. “We’re glad you joined us.”
“You threatened to remove me from the company.”
His smile remained.
“Leadership requires difficult conversations.”
Daniel took notes.
The board presented financial figures.
A division was losing money.
Millions.
But Victoria immediately spotted inconsistencies.
“These expenses are duplicated.”
Graham glanced at the CFO.
“They’re legitimate.”
“No.”
The CFO stiffened.
Victoria pointed at the screen.
“Same vendor. Same amount. Same date. Different subsidiaries.”
Daniel leaned closer.
He knew what she was seeing.
Someone was moving money between divisions.
He quickly opened his laptop.
“I’ve seen this structure before.”
Everyone looked at him.
Victoria nodded.
“Continue.”
Daniel displayed another file.
“These vendors were approved by the same executive office.”
Graham frowned.
“Whose?”
Daniel hesitated.
The room went silent.
Then he said,
“Your office.”
Several board members exchanged glances.
Graham smiled.
“You’d better be careful.”
Daniel didn’t respond.
Victoria did.
“He isn’t making an accusation.”
Graham looked at her.
“Then what is he making?”
“A discovery.”
That ended the discussion.
The meeting was suspended.
Outside, Victoria grabbed Daniel’s arm.
“Come with me.”
They entered her private office.
“You shouldn’t have spoken.”
Daniel frowned.
“You asked me to help.”
“I did.”
“Then why are you angry?”
“I’m not angry.”
She looked away.
“I’m worried.”
“For me?”
“Yes.”
Daniel stared.
Victoria closed the blinds.
“Someone has been stealing from the company.”
“How much?”
“At least eighty million.”
He felt his stomach tighten.
“Eighty million?”
“And that’s only what we can see.”
Daniel sat down.
“Who benefits?”
“We don’t know.”
“Could Graham?”
“Maybe.”
“Could the CFO?”
“Maybe.”
She leaned against the desk.
“Could someone be using both?”
Daniel looked at her.
“Then we find the money.”
Victoria nodded.
“We will.”
Suddenly, the office door opened.
Graham entered.
“Victoria.”
She turned.
“Chairman.”
He looked at Daniel.
“Can we speak privately?”
Daniel started to leave.
“Stay,” Victoria said.
Graham’s expression hardened.
“I’d prefer this conversation without staff.”
Victoria didn’t blink.
“Then you can wait until the board meeting.”
Graham stared at her.
Then left.
Daniel exhaled.
“You really don’t scare easily.”
Victoria smiled faintly.
“That’s because I learned a long time ago that frightened people make the worst decisions.”
She looked at him.
“You may be the only person I trust right now.”
Daniel’s heart skipped.
He tried to hide it.
Then Lily appeared at the doorway holding a stuffed dinosaur.
“Daddy?”
Daniel looked over.
“What’s up?”
“Victoria said I can have lunch with her.”
Daniel looked at Victoria.
She shrugged.
“I did.”
Lily smiled.
And for the first time, Daniel wondered whether the biggest problem in his life wasn’t his job.
It might be the woman who was slowly becoming part of his family.
