Chapter 9: The Betrayal Nobody Expected
I couldn’t move.
The person standing in front of me was the last person I expected.
Daniel.
My manager from the gala.
The man who had almost fired me.
The man who had known exactly where I lived because of my employment records.
“What are you doing here?”” I asked.
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
Not angry.
Not threatening.
Just defeated.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t find out this way.””
My mother stood.
“You were working for them?””
Daniel looked down.
“Yes.””
My chest tightened.
“For Victoria?””
He shook his head.
“No.””
“Then who?””
He looked at the letter in my hand.
“Your father.””
I froze.
“What?””
Daniel swallowed.
“Your father asked me to watch over you.””
Nobody spoke.
“That’s impossible.””
Daniel nodded.
“I know how it sounds.””
“You knew my father?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
He looked at my mother.
“She knows.””
My mother closed her eyes.
“I didn’t want you dragged into this.””
Daniel continued.
“Your father knew Victoria would come looking for the evidence someday.””
I stared.
“So you became my manager?””
“I made sure you had a job at the right places. I made sure certain people couldn’t get close to you.””
I almost laughed.
“This is insane.””
“I know.””
“Then why did Thomas say Adrian was dangerous?””
Daniel’s expression changed.
“Because Thomas is the one person your father never trusted.””
My mother nodded.
“He was always jealous.””
“Of Adrian?””
“Yes.””
Daniel sat down.
“Thomas believed he deserved your father’s position. When Robert Halston chose Adrian’s father instead, Thomas never forgave him.””
The pieces started connecting.
“But why attack now?””
Daniel looked at the letter.
“Because Adrian found the documents.””
A chill went through me.
“He wants them destroyed.””
“Yes.””
A loud crash came from outside.
Everyone froze.
Daniel stood immediately.
“Get away from the windows.””
A second later, the lights went out.
The entire house went dark.
My mother grabbed my hand.
Someone was inside.
Then a voice came from the hallway.
“You people really don’t know when to stop.””
Thomas Reed.
My heart sank.
Daniel moved in front of us.
“Thomas.””
Thomas stepped into the room.
Older.
Gray hair.
Calm.
Almost friendly.
That made him more terrifying.
“You always were loyal, Daniel.””
Daniel stared at him.
“You betrayed everyone.””
Thomas smiled.
“No.””
He looked at me.
“I saved them from a mistake.””
I stepped forward.
“You killed my father.””
His smile faded.
“Your father was going to destroy everything.””
“You mean expose you.””
“I mean ruin lives.””
“Your life.””
Thomas looked at me.
“You sound just like him.””
“Good.””
His eyes narrowed.
For a moment, I saw anger.
Then it disappeared.
“I wanted to avoid this.””
“Too late.””
He reached into his coat.
My mother gasped.
Daniel moved.
But Thomas didn’t pull out a weapon.
He pulled out a file.
And threw it onto the table.
“Read it.””
Nobody moved.
Daniel opened it.
Then froze.
“What?””
I looked.
Inside were documents.
Signed agreements.
Financial records.
And one name appeared repeatedly.
Adrian Bennett.
My stomach dropped.
May you like
Thomas smiled.
“Now you understand.””
