Chapter 6 - The PromiseI couldn't stop staring at Daniel.
“You remembered me.”
“I never forgot.”
“Why didn't you contact me?”
“I tried.”
“When?”
“Your father asked me to stay away until I had proof.”
“Did he know about Robert?”
“He suspected.”
Daniel explained that he'd spent years working in corporate investigations.
My father had secretly hired him.
After Dad died, Daniel continued.
Then Grant appeared.
Robert saw an opportunity.
He manipulated Grant.
He manipulated Natalie.
And slowly built a plan to take control of Whitmore Foods.
“What about the pregnancy?”
Daniel looked at me.
“Robert discovered you were pregnant.”
My stomach tightened.
“He wanted the baby?”
“Not the baby.”
“The inheritance.”
He handed me another document.
“If something happened to you, the trust would temporarily pass to the baby's guardian.”
I stared.
“Who was named guardian?”
My mother's name.
I felt sick.
“Mom?”
“Your mother was supposed to control the trust.”
“That explains why Robert needed her.”
Daniel nodded.
“She was pressured.”
“Why didn't she tell me?”
“Because Robert threatened to have Natalie arrested for financial crimes.”
I closed my eyes.
Suddenly everything made sense.
My mother wasn't innocent.
But she wasn't the enemy either.
She had been trapped.
I looked at Daniel.
“You've been protecting me for years.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He smiled.
“Because you were the girl who shared her lunch with me.”
I laughed through tears.
“You stole half of it.”
“I was hungry.”
“You were always hungry.”
“You always noticed.”
Silence.
Then he reached toward my hand.
He stopped before touching me.
“I don't want to confuse you.”
“Daniel…”
“You're pregnant.”
“I know.”
“You just escaped a betrayal.”
“I know.”
“So take your time.”
That was when I realized something.
Grant had always rushed me.
My mother had always pressured me.
Robert had manipulated me.
Daniel was the first person who told me I could take my time.
I took his hand.
He looked surprised.
“I think I've been looking for you for years,” I whispered.
He smiled.
“Then we're even.”
But our moment didn't last.
A car stopped behind us.
Paul stepped out.
“Claire, we found Robert.”
“Where?”
“He's heading for Whitmore Foods.”
May you like
Daniel's expression changed.
“Then we don't have much time.”
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