Single Dad Was Dared to Dance With the Cold CEO — Then She Whispered Something Unforgettable
Chapter 9
Richard disappeared after giving them the flash drive.
Police issued a warrant.
Federal investigators joined the case.
But the danger wasn’t over.
Someone tried to enter Daniel’s house that same night.
The alarm stopped them.
Inside Emma’s bedroom, nothing was disturbed.
Except one photograph.
A family picture of Daniel, Laura, and Emma.
It had been turned face down.
Daniel stood staring at it.
Victoria came behind him.
“This is intimidation.”
“I know.”
“They want you scared.”
“I am scared.”
Victoria turned him around.
“Good.”
Daniel frowned.
“Good?”
“Fear keeps people alive.”
She touched his shoulder.
“But you don’t have to face it alone.”
He looked at her.
“What happens if all this destroys you?”
Victoria gave a tired smile.
“It already has.”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
“Yes.”
She looked toward Emma.
“Before you, I thought strength meant never needing anyone.”
Daniel stayed silent.
“Now I realize that was just loneliness with better clothes.”
He smiled.
“That might be the most honest thing you’ve ever said.”
She laughed.
Then Daniel pulled her closer.
Their kiss was slow.
Careful.
Not like two people caught in a moment.
Like two people who had been fighting it for months.
When they pulled apart, Victoria rested her forehead against his.
“I shouldn’t do this.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re my employee.”
“I’m your employee?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve been investigating my entire life.”
“I investigate everyone.”
“Do you kiss everyone too?”
“No.”
“Good.”
She smiled.
For the first time, Daniel saw the woman behind the CEO.
That night, investigators discovered another shell corporation.
It was registered under Gerald Sterling’s name.
But the account had been created shortly before his death.
The beneficiary was not Victoria.
Not Richard.
Not even the family trust.
It belonged to an anonymous person.
They traced the account.
The name appeared.
Michael Hayes.
Daniel looked stunned.
“My brother?”
Victoria shook her head.
Michael was not the beneficiary.
His identity had been stolen.
The account had been opened using his information.
Someone had deliberately used Daniel’s family.
Daniel suddenly understood.
The goal was never only to steal money.
They had been creating a chain of false identities.
And Daniel was the final link.
His employee credentials.
Laura’s investigation.
Michael’s identity.
Victoria’s inheritance.
All roads pointed to one conclusion.
Someone wanted a scapegoat.
Daniel.
If the company collapsed, evidence would show that Daniel had authorized fraudulent shipments and payments.
He would go to prison.
His daughter would lose him.
And Victoria would inherit a company buried under criminal liability.
The perfect setup.
Then Richard’s flash drive revealed one final file.
A schedule.
A date.
The final transfer would happen Friday.
And Friday was tomorrow.
