THE BILLIONAIRE’S DAUGHTER FELL IN LOVE WITH HER UBER DRIVER
Chapter 9
Victor Hale disappeared that night.
His apartment was empty.
His office had been cleaned.
His phone was disconnected.
Federal investigators were informed.
The files were handed over.
But the danger wasn’t over.
Sophia received a message.
LEAVE HIM OR YOUR FATHER DIES.
Attached was a photograph of Charles.
He was getting into his car.
The photo had been taken minutes earlier.
Sophia called Ethan.
“They have my father.”
Ethan didn’t hesitate.
“Where?”
She sent the location.
He arrived within ten minutes.
They found Charles’s car abandoned.
No driver.
No father.
Sophia’s hands shook.
“I should never have involved you.”
Ethan turned toward her.
“You didn’t.”
“My family did.”
He took her hand.
“Then we’ll deal with it together.”
Federal agents traced the photograph.
A warehouse on the river.
Sophia insisted on going.
Rebecca Owens, the federal investigator handling the case, refused.
“You’re a civilian.”
“My father is inside.”
“We’ll handle it.”
Sophia looked at Ethan.
He understood.
Neither of them intended to stay home.
The agents entered the warehouse.
Charles was there.
Tied to a chair.
Victor stood nearby.
He looked exhausted.
“You shouldn’t have come,” he told Sophia.
She stepped forward.
“This ends tonight.”
Victor laughed.
“You think you’re in control?”
“No.”
She looked at Ethan.
“But I’m not afraid anymore.”
Victor’s eyes narrowed.
“You should be.”
He ordered his men to leave.
Only Victor remained.
Rebecca approached.
“It’s over.”
Victor smiled.
“You have evidence.”
“Yes.”
“You have recordings.”
“Yes.”
“And you think that proves everything?”
He pulled out a folder.
Inside were documents showing Charles’s signatures.
Payment approvals.
Investment agreements.
Internal authorizations.
Sophia looked at her father.
“Is this real?”
Charles nodded.
“Yes.”
Victor smiled.
“Your father isn’t innocent.”
“I know.”
“He knew enough to stop it.”
“I know.”
“He chose money.”
Charles looked at Sophia.
“Yes.”
Sophia’s eyes filled with tears.
“But he didn’t choose this.”
She pointed at Victor.
“You did.”
Victor’s face tightened.
Ethan stepped forward.
“You destroyed aviation companies.”
Victor laughed.
“I created opportunities.”
“You endangered passengers.”
“I controlled risk.”
“You nearly killed people.”
“Collateral damage.”
Ethan’s expression hardened.
“You’re done.”
Victor looked at Sophia.
“You think he’ll stay?”
Sophia frowned.
“What?”
“When you’re no longer a billionaire’s daughter.”
He looked at Ethan.
“He’ll eventually realize what you are.”
Ethan stepped closer.
“She doesn’t need my money.”
Victor smiled.
“Exactly.”
He turned back to Sophia.
“Do you know why rich people hire drivers?”
She said nothing.
“Because they don’t want to deal with ordinary people.”
Ethan answered.
“She does.”
Victor laughed.
“You’re both fools.”
Federal agents arrested him.
The warehouse went silent.
Charles was untied.
Sophia ran to him.
He hugged her.
For the first time in years, Charles didn’t feel like the billionaire.
He felt like a father.
“I failed you,” he whispered.
Sophia cried.
“You can still fix some things.”
Charles nodded.
He looked at Ethan.
“Take care of her.”
Ethan answered quietly.
“She takes care of me too.”
Charles almost smiled.
For the first time, he understood.
Sophia wasn’t losing herself because of Ethan.
She was finally becoming herself.
