Chapter 11 - The Betrayal
Emily could not believe Marcus.
“You said Daniel was alive.”
“He is.”
“You said you were protecting me.”
“I was.”
“Then why should I believe you?”
Marcus looked exhausted.
“Because Daniel doesn't want you to find him yet.”
“Why?”
“Because the moment you do, everyone connected to him becomes a target.”
Emily shook her head.
“You expect me to accept that?”
“No.”
Marcus reached into his pocket.
He placed a photograph on the desk.
Daniel was standing beside a woman.
Emily recognized the woman.
Vanessa.
But the photograph was older.
Much older.
Emily looked at the date.
Ten years before Vanessa married Richard.
She stared at Marcus.
“They knew each other.”
“Yes.”
“What were they doing together?”
“Building Northbridge.”
Emily felt sick.
“Daniel built it with Vanessa?”
“At first.”
“And Richard?”
“Richard joined later.”
“Why?”
Marcus looked away.
“Because Daniel discovered what Northbridge was becoming.”
Emily slowly understood.
Daniel had not created the system to steal money.
He had created it to move legitimate investments.
Vanessa and the others had turned it into something else.
Richard had helped them.
Then Daniel had tried to stop them.
Emily looked at the documents.
“Why did Daniel disappear?”
Marcus answered quietly.
“Because Vanessa threatened Noah.”
Emily froze.
“What?”
“She knew about your son.”
Emily's eyes filled with tears.
“Why didn't Daniel tell me?”
“Because he believed you would follow him.”
“He was right.”
Marcus almost smiled.
“That was what he feared.”
Emily looked at the photograph again.
Something caught her attention.
Daniel was holding a folder.
The same silver circle symbol appeared on it.
But beneath the symbol was a date.
Tomorrow.
Emily looked at Marcus.
“What happens tomorrow?”
Marcus did not answer.
Thomas suddenly received a message.
He looked at his phone.
His face went white.
“What?”
He turned the screen toward Emily.
A financial news alert.
Northbridge Capital had announced a major acquisition.
Coleman Holdings was being transferred to a new owner.
The buyer was anonymous.
Emily looked at Richard.
“Dad?”
Richard shook his head.
“I didn't authorize this.”
Marcus looked at the date.
“Tomorrow.”
Emily understood.
May you like
Someone was taking control of everything.
And Daniel had planned for it.
