Single Dad Was Dared to Dance With the Cold CEO — Then She Whispered Something Unforgettable
Chapter 10
Daniel and Victoria moved fast.
They worked through the night with investigators.
Bank accounts were frozen.
Company systems were secured.
Every suspicious transaction was copied to an independent server.
But the person controlling the operation anticipated them.
At 9:15 Friday morning, Sterling Logistics’ internal network went down.
At 9:17, the board announced an emergency meeting.
At 9:19, Daniel’s employee credentials were used to approve twenty-three unauthorized shipments.
At 9:21, police arrived at the warehouse.
Daniel stared at the officers.
“This isn’t me.”
One of them showed him the orders.
His digital signature was attached to every one.
Victoria stepped forward.
“He’s being framed.”
The officer looked at her.
“Ms. Sterling, we have evidence.”
Victoria didn’t flinch.
“Then arrest me too.”
Daniel looked at her.
“What?”
She turned to him.
“If they want a story, we’ll give them the truth.”
The officers hesitated.
Then a voice came from behind them.
“Victoria.”
Richard Cole stepped into the warehouse.
His hands were raised.
“I want immunity.”
Everyone froze.
“You’re alive,” Daniel said.
Richard nodded.
“And I’m done running.”
He handed a phone to federal investigators.
“The person behind this is still in the building.”
“Who?”
Richard looked at Daniel.
“You know him.”
Daniel’s heart dropped.
Michael.
“No.”
Richard shook his head.
“Not Michael.”
He pointed toward the executive floor.
“Your father’s old attorney.”
Daniel frowned.
“Harold Bennett?”
“Yes.”
Daniel knew the name.
Harold had handled Laura’s estate.
He had also helped settle her insurance claims after her death.
“He’s been controlling the shell companies?”
“Not alone.”
Richard’s eyes moved to Victoria.
“Your father knew.”
Victoria stiffened.
“You said Gerald ordered the crash.”
“He did.”
“Then who hired you?”
Richard looked ashamed.
“Harold.”
Daniel couldn’t breathe.
“Why?”
Richard answered,
“Because your wife discovered that Harold had been stealing from the family trust.”
The room went silent.
Laura hadn’t only discovered corporate fraud.
She had discovered personal theft.
Harold had been using Gerald’s corruption to steal money himself.
When Laura confronted him, he panicked.
Gerald covered it up.
Richard helped execute the plan.
And after Gerald died, Harold continued the operation.
He needed Daniel framed before Victoria could audit the company.
Because Daniel’s connection to Laura made him the one person who might connect everything.
Federal agents rushed upstairs.
Harold tried to escape.
He was caught in the parking garage.
But before he was taken away, he turned toward Daniel.
“You think you’ve won?”
Daniel said nothing.
Harold smiled.
“Ask Victoria who really saved you.”
Then he was gone.
Daniel looked at Victoria.
“What did he mean?”
Victoria’s face went pale.
She took out an old envelope.
“I didn’t want you to find this.”
Inside was a letter.
From Laura.
Addressed to Victoria.
Dated three years earlier.
Daniel read it.
One paragraph made his chest tighten.
If I don’t survive, don’t let Daniel believe I left him alone. He deserves someone who will protect him when he cannot protect himself.
Daniel looked at Victoria.
“You had this?”
She nodded.
“I found it after Laura died.”
“Why didn’t you give it to me?”
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“That you would think I was trying to replace her.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“You couldn’t.”
“I know.”
She cried.
“But somewhere along the way, I stopped wanting to protect you because Laura asked me to.”
Daniel’s heart broke.
“Then why?”
Victoria whispered,
“Because I fell in love with you.”
