Chapter 9: The Betrayal Nobody Expected
I almost deleted the message.
Almost.
But something stopped me.
Because Victoria was many things.
Cruel.
Jealous.
Manipulative.
But she was also the person closest to Daniel during the time he planned everything.
If anyone knew his secrets...
It was her.
We met at a quiet private café far away from reporters.
Victoria arrived ten minutes late.
That was unusual.
She was always perfectly on time.
But when she sat across from me, I understood why.
She looked exhausted.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
"I didn't know where else to go.""
I studied her.
"Why did you ask to meet?""
She looked down.
"Because Daniel is planning something.""
I didn't move.
"What?""
"He isn't going to surrender.""
I almost smiled.
"That doesn't surprise me.""
Victoria looked serious.
"This is different.""
She reached into her bag.
Then placed a small device on the table.
A recording device.
My eyes narrowed.
"What is that?""
"Evidence.""
My heartbeat changed.
"Of what?""
Victoria looked at me.
"Of Daniel admitting everything.""
I stared at her.
"Why do you have this?""
Her expression became painful.
"Because I recorded him.""
"Why?""
She looked away.
"Because I started realizing I was just another person he used.""
She took a breath.
"Daniel never loved me.""
I said nothing.
"He talked about you constantly.""
That surprised me.
"He did?""
Victoria nodded.
"He hated that you were stronger than him.""
I frowned.
"He said you made him feel inferior.""
Those words shocked me.
Because Daniel always acted powerful.
But maybe behind all that confidence was insecurity.
Victoria continued.
"He wanted to prove he didn't need you.""
She looked at the recording device.
"This conversation happened two weeks before he threw you out.""
My stomach tightened.
"What's on it?""
She pressed the button.
Daniel's voice filled the small space.
"I need Emily gone before the investors find out.""
My blood turned cold.
Another voice.
Victoria.
"What if she fights back?""
Daniel laughed.
"Emily won't.""
A pause.
"She doesn't have the courage.""
I closed my eyes.
Even hearing his voice from the past hurt.
Then Daniel continued.
"She thinks kindness is strength.""
His voice became colder.
"But kindness makes people weak.""
The recording stopped.
Silence.
Victoria looked at me.
"I thought you were weak too.""
Her honesty surprised me.
"But I was wrong.""
I looked at the device.
This could destroy him.
Completely.
But something else bothered me.
"Why are you really giving me this?""
Victoria looked at me for a long moment.
Then she answered:
"Because I don't want to become him.""
That was the first honest thing she had ever said to me.
I took the recording.
But before I left, Victoria grabbed my hand.
"Emily.""
I looked back.
"Be careful.""
"Of Daniel?""
She nodded.
"No.""
Her face became serious.
"Of the person who has been helping him.""
I froze.
"What do you mean?""
Victoria swallowed.
"Daniel wasn't working alone.""
The air suddenly felt colder.
"Someone powerful has been protecting him.""
My mind raced.
"Who?""
Victoria looked terrified.
"I don't know.""
A pause.
"But Daniel said one name.""
I waited.
She whispered:
"Carter.""
My blood went cold.
"My family?""
Victoria nodded.
And suddenly, the entire battle changed.
Because if someone inside my father's world was helping Daniel...
Then this wasn't just a divorce.
May you like
This was a war.
And the enemy had been standing beside us the entire time. :::
