“That Car Is Worthless” the CEO Said — Then a Single Dad Did the Impossible
Chapter 8
Victoria didn’t sleep.
At sunrise, she called Ethan.
“There is something you need to know.”
He entered her office.
She showed him the message.
His face went pale.
“My daughter.”
“I’ve increased security.”
“That isn’t enough.”
“I know.”
He paced.
“What do they want?”
“The control architecture.”
Ethan stopped.
“They won’t get it.”
“I know.”
“You need to remove Lily from this.”
Victoria looked at him.
“I can’t.”
“You have a company to run.”
“And you have a daughter to protect.”
Ethan stepped closer.
“Victoria.”
She lowered her voice.
“I love you.”
Everything stopped.
Ethan stared at her.
Victoria looked frightened for the first time.
“I wasn’t planning to say that.”
He smiled faintly.
“Neither was I.”
She whispered:
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
He kissed her.
It wasn’t dramatic.
No cameras.
No music.
Just two exhausted people who had spent months pretending that something wasn’t happening.
When they pulled away, Ethan rested his forehead against hers.
“This is a terrible time.”
Victoria laughed softly.
“Absolutely.”
They agreed not to let their relationship affect the investigation.
But everything had already changed.
Victoria became more protective.
Ethan became less stubborn.
Lily noticed immediately.
One evening, she asked:
“Are you two dating?”
Ethan nearly dropped his fork.
Victoria looked at her.
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“Whether your father can answer a simple question.”
Lily looked at Ethan.
“Are you dating her?”
Ethan smiled.
“Yes.”
Lily nodded.
“Good.”
Victoria blinked.
“That easy?”
“Dad needs someone.”
Ethan looked embarrassed.
Lily continued eating.
“Also, you make better pancakes.”
Victoria burst out laughing.
But the happiness didn’t last.
Three days later, Graham announced a board motion to suspend Victoria as CEO pending investigation.
The accusation was that she had entered an improper personal relationship with an external contractor while allowing him access to confidential technology.
The board demanded Ethan’s removal.
Victoria refused.
The vote was scheduled for Monday.
She had one weekend to expose Graham.
Ethan, Victoria, and Aaron worked through the night.
They traced payments.
Shell companies.
Encrypted accounts.
Private flights.
Everything led back to Northstar Capital.
Then Ethan found something.
A payment had been made to a company registered under a different name.
The company was owned by Graham’s brother.
They had the evidence.
But there was one problem.
They needed Graham to admit it.
Ethan had an idea.
A dangerous one.
Victoria hated it.
“No.”
“It’s our only chance.”
“You are not bait.”
“Then let me build the trap.”
She stared at him.
Finally, she nodded.
But she made him promise one thing.
“Come back to me.”
Ethan took her hand.
“I will.”
He didn’t tell her that he wasn’t sure.
The next morning, Ethan entered a private meeting with Graham.
And Graham smiled.
Because he thought Ethan had come to surrender.
