Chapter 10 - The Betrayal Inside Daniel’s World
The room exploded into chaos.
Everyone started moving.
Phones rang.
Security alarms sounded.
People shouted instructions.
But Daniel stayed still.
Because betrayal hurt differently.
An enemy outside was expected.
An enemy inside was personal.
“Who has access?” Daniel asked.
Marcus looked at the list.
“Your security team.”
“Your lawyers.”
“Your executives.”
Daniel stared at the names.
Then stopped.
One name.
His closest advisor.
Victor Hale.
“No.”
Marcus looked at him.
“You trust him?”
Daniel didn’t answer.
Because the truth was written on his face.
Victor had been beside him for twenty-five years.
He knew every weakness.
Every secret.
Every person Daniel cared about.
Including Eleanor.
Including Annie.
The elevator doors opened.
Everyone turned.
A man walked out.
Perfect suit.
Calm expression.
No fear.
Victor Hale.
“Daniel,” he said.
“You look surprised.”
Daniel stared at him.
“Why?”
Victor smiled.
“Because you finally realized the truth.”
Annie stepped back.
“You hurt my grandma?”
Victor looked at her.
For a moment, his face softened.
Then it disappeared.
“I didn’t want it to happen this way.”
Daniel’s voice became cold.
“You poisoned Eleanor.”
Victor shrugged.
“She was holding onto the past.”
“And your mother?”
Annie whispered.
Victor looked at her.
“Your mother made the same mistake.”
Annie’s heart dropped.
“What mistake?”
Victor walked closer.
“Believing people could change.”
Daniel moved between them.
“Don’t talk to her.”
Victor smiled.
“Still protecting everyone except yourself.”
Then he pulled out a small envelope.
He placed it on the table.
“This is what you’ve been looking for for thirty years.”
Daniel stared.
“What is it?”
Victor looked at Annie.
“The truth about what really happened to her mother.”
Nobody breathed.
Daniel slowly opened the envelope.
Inside was one photograph.
And one handwritten note.
His hands tightened.
Because the handwriting belonged to Claire.
Annie’s mother.
And the message contained only six words:
“Daniel… don’t trust Eleanor.”
Daniel looked up.
And for the first time…
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Annie saw fear in his eyes.
TO BE CONTINUED...
