Single Mom Practiced Her Interview in the Elevator — Unaware the Man Was the CEO!
Chapter 12
Ethan stared at Andrew’s recording.
“My mother?”
Andrew nodded weakly.
“Your mother knew Northstar existed.”
Emily sat beside him.
“Was she involved?”
“Not willingly.”
Andrew explained.
Years ago, Ethan’s mother had discovered Gerald’s financial operation.
She threatened to expose him.
Gerald responded by threatening Ethan.
She backed down.
But she secretly copied the evidence.
She gave it to Mark.
Mark continued the investigation.
That was why Gerald feared him.
But there was another layer.
Daniel Rhodes had not created Northstar.
He had inherited control after Gerald died.
And someone had instructed him to finish what Gerald started.
Ethan asked,
“Who?”
Andrew hesitated.
Then said:
“Your father’s old attorney.”
Noah looked up.
“Harold Bennett?”
Emily froze.
“My father’s name.”
“No,” Andrew said.
“Not your father.”
He gave Ethan the name.
“Robert Hale.”
Ethan knew him.
Robert had been Gerald’s attorney for more than twenty years.
He had advised the family.
Handled acquisitions.
Managed trusts.
And after Gerald died, Robert had become Ethan’s legal adviser.
Emily looked at Ethan.
“He has been beside you this entire time.”
Ethan’s expression hardened.
“I know.”
They returned to Sterling Innovations.
Robert was waiting in Ethan’s office.
He smiled.
“I heard there was an incident.”
Ethan closed the door.
“Sit.”
Robert noticed Emily.
“Is she involved?”
“Yes.”
Robert’s smile faded.
“What have you discovered?”
Ethan placed the recording on the desk.
Robert listened.
He didn’t deny anything.
Instead, he sighed.
“You were never supposed to find this.”
Emily felt cold.
“How many years?”
“Twenty-one.”
“What?”
“Northstar has existed for twenty-one years.”
Ethan stared.
“Why?”
“To protect the company.”
“By stealing from it?”
Robert shook his head.
“At first, the money was used to prevent hostile takeovers.”
“And later?”
“Gerald became addicted to control.”
Ethan clenched his jaw.
“Did you kill Mark?”
“No.”
“Who did?”
Robert looked at Emily.
“Gerald.”
Emily’s breath caught.
“But Gerald is dead.”
“He ordered it before he died.”
Ethan stared.
“And Daniel?”
“Daniel carried out the cover-up.”
“Why frame me?”
“Because you inherited everything.”
“You mean you wanted me to take the fall.”
Robert looked almost regretful.
“You were the perfect shield.”
Ethan stood.
“Why tell me now?”
“Because the system is collapsing.”
He reached into his coat.
Emily tensed.
Robert placed a small key on the desk.
“The Northstar control system is in the old headquarters.”
Ethan stared.
“You’re giving it to us?”
“No.”
Robert smiled.
“I’m warning you.”
“About what?”
“If you shut Northstar down improperly, the hidden liabilities will activate automatically.”
Emily understood.
“It will trigger the transfer.”
Robert nodded.
“Everything will go to Ethan.”
Ethan looked at her.
“How do we stop it?”
Robert smiled sadly.
“You don’t.”
Then he walked out.
Emily stared after him.
Ethan was silent.
“No.”
She looked at him.
“What?”
“I won’t let them turn me into the final sacrifice.”
Emily took his hand.
“Then we find another way.”
He looked at her.
“You always say that.”
“Because you’re always trying to solve everything alone.”
He smiled.
“Maybe I have a good reason.”
“Maybe.”
She moved closer.
“But you don’t anymore.”
Their lips met.
It wasn’t planned.
It wasn’t careful.
It was desperate and honest.
When they pulled apart, Ethan rested his forehead against hers.
“I love you.”
Emily closed her eyes.
“I know.”
“You knew?”
“I suspected.”
He laughed softly.
“For someone who practiced interviews in elevators…”
She smiled.
“I’ve learned to read people.”
