“Who Taught Her to Walk” — Billionaire Stunned as Her Girl Pointed to Her Single Dad Ex-SEAL Janitor
Chapter 9
Daniel was furious.
Not at Evelyn.
At himself.
He had spent years protecting Emma without understanding the legal structure behind it.
Now his name was on documents he had never signed.
“Someone forged my authorization.”
Alan nodded.
“Of course.”
“Why?”
“Because your name has power.”
Daniel stared.
“I don’t own anything.”
“Your father did.”
“My father?”
“Thomas Brooks.”
Daniel froze.
He had never heard the name outside his father’s old records.
Alan opened another file.
“Thomas Brooks was not your only father.”
Daniel’s face changed.
“What does that mean?”
“Your biological father was a co-founder of Orchid.”
Silence.
Evelyn looked at him.
“Your father?”
Daniel’s entire life seemed to shift.
He had always believed his father was a quiet engineer who died in an accident.
But Thomas Brooks had apparently been connected to Sterling Global.
And Orchid.
Alan continued.
“Your father’s work created the encryption system that protected the trust.”
Daniel stared.
“So that’s why they wanted me.”
“Yes.”
“And why they watched me.”
“Yes.”
Evelyn stepped closer.
“Did Thomas know?”
“He did.”
“Why didn’t he tell Daniel?”
“Because he promised your father.”
Daniel looked at Alan.
“Where is my father?”
Alan hesitated.
“I don’t know.”
“He’s dead.”
“Officially.”
Daniel felt cold.
Another family secret.
Another hidden death.
Then Alan’s phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“They found us.”
“Who?”
Alan looked toward the window.
“The people who inherited Orchid.”
Suddenly the lights went out.
Gunfire erupted downstairs.
Evelyn grabbed Emma.
Daniel pulled them behind a desk.
“Stay here.”
He moved toward the door.
Evelyn grabbed his arm.
“No.”
“I’m trained for this.”
“So am I.”
She looked at him.
“No.”
Daniel stopped.
“They’re coming for Emma.”
“I know.”
“Then we stay together.”
They moved through a service corridor.
Security alarms screamed.
The attackers entered the executive floor.
Daniel led them through the building.
Every movement was precise.
Evelyn followed.
Emma held her hand.
Finally they reached the parking garage.
A vehicle waited.
Daniel opened the door.
Then stopped.
A man stood beside it.
Older.
Gray-haired.
Holding a cane.
Daniel froze.
The man’s eyes filled with tears.
“Daniel.”
Daniel couldn’t move.
He knew that voice.
He had heard it in old recordings.
His father.
Alive.
Evelyn stared.
“Who is that?”
Daniel whispered,
“My father.”
The man stepped forward.
“I am Thomas Brooks.”
Daniel couldn’t breathe.
His father looked at him.
“I’ve been trying to find you.”
“For years?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Thomas looked toward Emma.
“Because Orchid isn’t after money anymore.”
“What do they want?”
Thomas answered:
“People.”
