Chapter 3: The Secret Hidden Inside Sterling Global
The next morning, Daniel learned that billionaire problems were different from ordinary problems.
At his old job, if someone wanted to hurt him, they damaged equipment or refused payment.
At Sterling Global, people destroyed reputations.
They leaked rumors.
They manipulated stock prices.
They smiled while preparing attacks.
Renee’s assistant, Claire Morgan, gave Daniel a warning before the first board meeting.
“Do not underestimate them.””
Daniel looked at the conference room.
A dozen executives sat around the table.
“All of them?””
Claire nodded.
“Especially the ones who seem friendly.””
The meeting began with polite conversation.
Then the attacks started.
“Renee, everyone admires your determination,” said board member Thomas Whitaker.
“But leadership requires stability.””
Renee remained calm.
“I am stable.””
“You are undergoing treatment.””
“And I am still CEO.””
Another executive spoke.
“The company must consider what happens if your condition worsens.””
Daniel watched.
Nobody asked how she was feeling.
Nobody asked if she needed support.
They only discussed replacing her.
Like she was an employee.
Not a person.
Then Thomas looked at Daniel.
“And who exactly is this?””
Renee answered.
“My partner.””
The room changed.
Small reactions.
Quick glances.
People hiding their surprise.
Daniel understood.
This was the game.
Information was ammunition.
Thomas smiled.
“Interesting.””
Daniel met his eyes.
“What is?””
“You appearing now.””
The accusation was obvious.
That Daniel was fake.
That Renee was desperate.
That this was a performance.
Daniel leaned forward.
“You know what’s interesting?””
Everyone looked at him.
“When someone gets sick, you learn who actually cares.””
The room became quiet.
“Some people bring flowers.””
He looked around.
“Some people bring lawyers.””
Nobody spoke.
After the meeting, Renee found him in the hallway.
“You just challenged the entire board.””
Daniel shrugged.
“They deserved it.””
A small laugh escaped her.
“You really don’t understand corporate politics.””
“No.””
“Good.””
Daniel looked confused.
“Good?””
“Yes.””
Renee looked serious.
“Everyone here understands politics. Everyone knows how to protect themselves.””
She looked at him.
“I need someone who doesn’t.””
That night, Daniel discovered something that changed everything.
He was walking past Renee’s private office when he heard voices inside.
He stopped.
One voice belonged to Marcus.
The other belonged to Thomas Whitaker.
“You said she would be gone by now,” Marcus said.
Daniel froze.
Thomas answered.
“She was supposed to accept treatment and step away.””
“And now?””
“Now she has a problem.””
“What problem?””
“The man.””
Silence.
Then Marcus spoke.
“Daniel Hayes.””
Daniel’s heart tightened.
They were talking about him.
Thomas continued.
“He wasn’t part of the plan.””
Marcus laughed coldly.
“No. He wasn’t.””
A pause.
Then Marcus said:
“Find out everything about him.””
Daniel stepped away before they noticed.
His mind raced.
This was no longer about a fake relationship.
Someone had planned Renee’s downfall.
Someone wanted her gone.
And somehow, Daniel Hayes had become the one thing standing in their way.
But what Daniel didn’t know was that Renee Sterling had not chosen him by accident.
The wrong number at 2:07 in the morning was not the beginning of the story.
It was the moment someone finally found the person they had been searching for.
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Because hidden inside Sterling Global’s darkest secret was a truth that could destroy everyone involved.
Including Daniel.
