The Billionaire CEO Slipped “HELP” on a Napkin—Then a Single Dad at Table 15 Saw It
Chapter 2
Daniel folded the napkin beneath the table.
His first instinct was to call the police.
His second was to get Emma out.
He looked at his daughter.
She was still coloring.
“Dad?”
“Yeah?”
“Why are you looking weird?”
Daniel forced a smile.
“I’m fine.”
He wasn’t.
Across the room, the woman remained motionless.
One of the men had taken a seat near her.
He leaned toward her.
Daniel couldn’t hear what he said.
The woman shook her head.
The man smiled.
It wasn’t friendly.
Daniel glanced at the restaurant entrance.
The second man was standing there.
Blocking the exit.
Daniel’s stomach tightened.
He quietly reached for his phone.
Before he could unlock it, the woman suddenly stood.
She walked toward the restroom.
The man followed.
Daniel watched them disappear around the corner.
He immediately made a decision.
He picked up Emma.
“Dad!”
“Come on.”
“But my food.”
“We’ll take it to go.”
Daniel grabbed his daughter’s jacket.
As they approached the hallway, the waiter appeared.
“Sir, your food will be ready soon.”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Call the police.”
The waiter’s face changed.
He glanced toward the hallway.
Then whispered:
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
The waiter looked terrified.
“They have someone watching the staff.”
Daniel’s blood ran cold.
“Who is she?”
The waiter hesitated.
“That’s the problem.”
“What problem?”
“She’s Victoria Sterling.”
Daniel recognized the name.
Everyone did.
Victoria Sterling was the CEO of Sterling Global Holdings.
A billionaire.
One of the youngest women in America to build a company worth billions.
Daniel looked toward the hallway.
“Why would someone like her need help?”
The waiter whispered:
“I don’t know.”
Then a crash came from the hallway.
Emma jumped.
Daniel immediately moved toward the sound.
He saw the woman.
Victoria.
She was standing against the wall.
One of the men had grabbed her wrist.
Daniel’s protective instinct took over.
“Hey!”
The man turned.
“This doesn’t concern you.”
Daniel stepped between him and Victoria.
“My daughter is here.”
He pointed toward Emma.
“So whatever you’re doing, stop.”
The man laughed.
“You have no idea who you’re interfering with.”
Daniel looked at Victoria.
She shook her head slightly.
Don’t.
Daniel understood.
This wasn’t random.
The second man approached from behind.
Daniel realized they were surrounded.
Then Victoria did something unexpected.
She grabbed Daniel’s arm.
“Run.”
Daniel didn’t hesitate.
He grabbed Emma’s hand.
They ran toward the kitchen.
Victoria followed.
The restaurant erupted in confusion.
Plates crashed.
People shouted.
The staff froze.
Daniel pushed through the kitchen doors.
“Emergency exit!”
A cook pointed toward the back.
They ran.
The three of them burst into the alley.
Daniel pulled Emma behind him.
Victoria bent over, breathing heavily.
“Thank you.”
Daniel stared at her.
“You need to explain.”
Victoria looked toward the restaurant.
“They aren’t here for money.”
“Then what do they want?”
Victoria looked directly at him.
“My company.”
Daniel frowned.
“You’re a billionaire.”
“That’s exactly why.”
She looked terrified.
“They want me to sign something tonight.”
“What?”
“A transfer.”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“And if you don’t?”
Victoria looked toward the alley entrance.
“They kill me.”
Emma squeezed Daniel’s hand.
“Can we go home now?”
Daniel looked at his daughter.
Then at Victoria.
He knew what he should do.
Take Emma home.
Call the police.
Walk away.
But Victoria suddenly whispered:
“They already know where you live.”
Daniel froze.
“What?”
She shook her head.
“I saw your address on the reservation.”
Daniel looked back toward the restaurant.
The men were coming.
And suddenly, going home didn’t seem safe anymore.
