Chapter 8: The Woman Behind Daniel's Success
The days after the hearing were the strangest days of my life.
People who ignored me for years suddenly wanted interviews.
Business leaders who never remembered my name suddenly called me "Mrs. Carter.""
Women who had watched Daniel embarrass me online sent messages of support.
But I didn't feel victorious.
Not yet.
Because the battle wasn't about public opinion.
It was about the truth.
And the truth was still incomplete.
My father discovered that Daniel had been hiding something much bigger than financial fraud.
Something connected to the beginning of Ashford Group.
One evening, he entered my room holding a folder.
I immediately knew something was wrong.
"What happened?""
He sat down beside me.
"We found the source of Daniel's first major investment.""
I frowned.
"His first investment?""
My father nodded.
"Yes.""
He opened the folder.
Inside were old financial records.
"Ten years ago, when Daniel was trying to build his company, he received funding from an unknown private investor.""
I looked at the documents.
"Who?""
My father stared at me.
"You.""
I froze.
"What?""
My father continued.
"You don't remember because you were never told.""
I looked confused.
"That's impossible.""
"It isn't.""
He pointed at the documents.
"Before you married Daniel, you inherited a small trust from your grandmother.""
I remembered.
It wasn't a fortune.
Just something my grandmother left me.
A private investment account.
Money I rarely touched.
"My grandmother's trust?""
My father nodded.
"Daniel's first company loan came from that fund.""
The room became silent.
No.
That couldn't be true.
"Are you saying...""
"Daniel's success started because of you.""
I stared at the papers.
The man who told me I was useless.
The man who claimed I had nothing without him.
Had built his empire with help from the very woman he discarded.
I felt something between sadness and disbelief.
My father looked angry.
"He didn't just betray you emotionally.""
"He built his entire identity on pretending he didn't need you.""
I closed the folder.
"Does Daniel know?""
My father hesitated.
"Yes.""
That answer hurt.
"He knew?""
"He knew the investor was connected to you.""
My chest tightened.
"But he didn't know you were my daughter.""
I understood.
Daniel knew enough.
Enough to benefit.
Enough to take.
But never enough to respect.
The next morning, Daniel called.
I almost didn't answer.
But curiosity won.
"What do you want?""
His voice was quiet.
"Is it true?""
I said nothing.
"Was my first investment from your trust?""
I closed my eyes.
"Yes.""
A long silence.
Then Daniel whispered:
"I didn't know.""
I laughed softly.
Not because it was funny.
Because it was unbelievable.
"You knew enough.""
"No, Emily.""
His voice became emotional.
"I swear, I didn't know.""
"Did you know I supported your company?""
"Yes.""
"Did you know I believed in you when nobody else did?""
Silence.
"Did you know I sacrificed my own opportunities because I wanted you to succeed?""
Silence.
"Then you knew enough.""
Daniel breathed heavily.
"I was wrong.""
The words surprised me.
But they came too late.
"I should have appreciated you.""
I looked out the window.
The city lights reflected in the glass.
"You should have loved me.""
Another silence.
"I did love you.""
"No.""
My voice was calm.
"You loved having someone who believed in you.""
He didn't respond.
Because he knew.
Before ending the call, Daniel said:
"Victoria betrayed me.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"She gave information to your father.""
I wasn't surprised.
But something else bothered me.
"Daniel...""
"What?""
"Don't blame everyone else.""
Silence.
"You made your choices.""
I ended the call.
But his words stayed with me.
Victoria had given information.
Why?
Because she was afraid?
Because she regretted everything?
Or because she had another plan?
I didn't know.
And I was about to find out.
Because that afternoon, I received a message.
From Victoria.
May you like
Three words.
*We need to talk.*
