Single Mom Warned Him Three Times to Stop — 5 Seconds Later, She Shocked Everyone Watching
Chapter 4
Daniel arrived at Olivia’s apartment before sunrise.
He came alone.
No security team.
No driver.
Just a dark coat and a look of exhaustion.
Olivia opened the door.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“I know.”
He stepped inside.
Noah was still sleeping.
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Did they threaten him?”
Olivia nodded.
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“I’ll move you both to a secure location.”
“No.”
“Olivia.”
“I don’t know you.”
“You saved my life.”
“That doesn’t mean I trust you.”
Daniel stopped.
Then nodded.
“Fair.”
He sat at the kitchen table.
“I don’t want to control what you do.”
“Good.”
“I want to understand why someone wants me dead.”
Olivia poured coffee.
“You’re the CEO.”
“That doesn’t answer the question.”
“It probably does.”
Daniel looked down.
“My father founded the company.”
“I know.”
“He died three years ago.”
“I know.”
“After his death, I took over.”
“And?”
“Within six months, we lost three major contracts.”
“Why?”
“Someone was leaking information.”
Olivia sat across from him.
“Inside job.”
“Yes.”
“Did you find out who?”
“No.”
She thought.
“Then yesterday wasn’t about killing you.”
Daniel looked at her.
“What?”
“If they wanted you dead, they had a perfect opportunity.”
She pointed toward the demonstration hall.
“You were standing beside a machine designed to crush steel.”
Daniel’s eyes narrowed.
“But they didn’t finish the job.”
“Exactly.”
“So what were they trying to do?”
“Frame someone.”
“Who?”
“Maybe you.”
Daniel frowned.
“How?”
“Imagine you survive.”
He listened.
“Then everyone discovers the safety system was intentionally disabled.”
She leaned forward.
“Who gets blamed?”
“The company.”
“Exactly.”
“Why?”
“To destroy the company.”
Daniel looked toward the window.
Reed Industrial was worth nearly $2.3 billion.
It supplied equipment to factories across the United States.
If its safety reputation collapsed, contracts would disappear.
Regulators would investigate.
Investors would panic.
The company could lose billions.
Olivia continued.
“Who benefits if Reed Industrial collapses?”
Daniel’s face changed.
“Competitors.”
“Which ones?”
He named three.
Olivia shook her head.
“Not enough.”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone with access to your company, your systems, and your finances.”
Daniel stared.
“An insider.”
“Yes.”
He stood.
“I need to show you something.”
He opened his laptop.
A map appeared.
Reed Industrial had recently planned a massive acquisition.
A smaller robotics company in Detroit.
The deal was worth $740 million.
“If the acquisition happens,” Daniel said, “we control a new generation of automated manufacturing systems.”
Olivia studied the numbers.
“Someone doesn’t want you to acquire them.”
“That’s what I think.”
“Who owns the robotics company?”
“A private investment group.”
“Names?”
Daniel gave her the list.
One name caught her attention.
“Thomas Vance.”
Daniel nodded.
“Former executive.”
“Of your company?”
“Yes.”
Olivia looked at him.
“Why did he leave?”
“Financial misconduct.”
“Did you fire him?”
“Yes.”
“Did he threaten you?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Once.”
“When?”
“Three months ago.”
“What did he say?”
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
“He told me that one day I’d regret choosing loyalty over money.”
Olivia leaned back.
“That sounds like a threat.”
“It was.”
“Why didn’t you report it?”
“I thought he was angry.”
Olivia sighed.
“That’s your problem.”
“What?”
“You think everyone is reasonable.”
Daniel almost smiled.
“You think everyone is dangerous.”
“I’m a single mother.”
“That explains it.”
She looked at him.
“What does?”
“You’ve learned to expect the unexpected.”
Before Olivia could answer, Noah entered the kitchen.
He rubbed his eyes.
“Mom?”
Olivia stood.
“This is Daniel.”
Noah looked at him.
“The machine guy?”
Daniel smiled.
“Yes.”
“You almost got crushed.”
Olivia closed her eyes.
“Noah.”
“What?”
Daniel laughed.
“He’s not wrong.”
Noah looked at Daniel.
“Are you rich?”
Olivia’s eyes widened.
Daniel smiled.
“A little.”
“How rich?”
“Enough.”
Noah considered that.
Then asked:
“Can you buy my mom a new car?”
Olivia nearly choked.
Daniel laughed.
“Probably.”
“NO.”
Noah grinned.
Daniel looked at Olivia.
“Definitely your son.”
Then Daniel’s phone rang.
His smile disappeared.
He answered.
“Hello?”
A voice spoke.
Daniel’s face turned pale.
“What did you say?”
He listened.
Then looked at Olivia.
“Marcus Hale has been found.”
“Alive?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
Daniel swallowed.
“Inside my father’s old factory.”
Olivia frowned.
“Why would he go there?”
Daniel’s voice was barely audible.
“Because that’s where the company keeps its oldest records.”
