Chapter 26: The Ally Who Was Never an Ally
Daniel stepped away from the screen.
For the first time since meeting him, he looked uncertain.
Not confused.
Betrayed.
“My assistant.””
He repeated the words quietly.
Nobody knew what to say.
Because Daniel had been the one person everyone trusted.
The person with answers.
The person who seemed impossible to manipulate.
And now even he had been targeted.
Or worse.
Used.
Michael smiled slightly.
“Interesting.””
Daniel looked at him.
“What?””
“Even you didn’t see it coming.””
The comment clearly bothered him.
Because it was true.
Daniel had spent the entire night exposing everyone else’s secrets.
Now one of his own had been revealed.
He turned to the security team.
“Find him.””
The guards immediately moved.
But I noticed something.
Daniel wasn’t angry.
He was thinking.
Trying to understand.
“How long?”” I asked.
He looked at me.
“What?””
“How long was he involved?””
Daniel looked down.
“I don’t know.””
That answer scared me.
Because if Daniel didn’t know…
Who did?
Then Vanessa spoke.
“I might.””
Everyone turned.
Daniel looked at her.
“What do you mean?””
Vanessa took a breath.
“Your assistant contacted me.””
Daniel froze.
“When?””
“Before the wedding.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I thought he was helping.””
Nobody spoke.
“What did he ask you to do?””
Vanessa looked ashamed.
“He told me there was a security concern.””
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“What concern?””
“He said someone might try to steal documents.””
My heart tightened.
“He made you think you were protecting the family.””
Vanessa nodded.
“Yes.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
Another manipulation.
Another person used.
The pattern was becoming clear.
The mastermind didn’t force people.
They convinced them.
They gave everyone a reason.
A role.
A story.
And everyone played their part.
Daniel looked at Ethan.
“You knew about this?””
Ethan looked angry.
“No.””
“Then why did Michael say you were involved?””
“Because he wanted me blamed.””
Michael laughed.
“Because you were involved.””
Ethan turned.
“You used me.””
Michael shrugged.
“You were angry.””
“That doesn’t mean I agreed to destroy everyone.””
Michael smiled.
“It made you easy.””
That sentence destroyed whatever remained between them.
Ethan looked away.
For the first time, he looked like a son realizing his father had never loved him.
Only controlled him.
Then Daniel’s phone rang.
He answered.
“Yes?””
Everyone waited.
His expression changed.
“They found him.””
My heart raced.
“Where?””
Daniel looked at the security guard.
“Bring him in.””
A few minutes later, the doors opened.
A man walked inside.
Daniel’s assistant.
He looked nervous.
Not surprised.
Nervous.
Like he knew this moment was coming.
Daniel stared at him.
“Why?””
The assistant looked down.
“I didn’t have a choice.””
Daniel’s face hardened.
“Everyone says that.””
The assistant looked around.
“At least listen.””
Nobody responded.
He looked at me.
“I never wanted your family hurt.””
“Then why help?””
He swallowed.
“Because I thought I was fixing something.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“Who told you that?””
The assistant hesitated.
Then answered:
“Your father.””
Everyone froze.
My father.
Again.
My father stood.
“What?””
The assistant shook his head.
“Not him.””
“Then who?””
The assistant looked toward Michael.
The room went silent.
Michael smiled.
“Finally.””
Daniel stared.
“You recruited him?””
Michael nodded.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Michael looked at him.
“Because I needed someone close to the investigation.””
The assistant looked ashamed.
“I thought he was exposing corruption.””
Daniel looked at him.
“You believed him?””
“He showed me documents.””
“Fake documents?””
The assistant nodded.
“I didn’t know.””
Nobody spoke.
Because that was the entire story.
Everyone had been given a fake truth.
A reason to act.
A reason to betray.
Michael looked pleased.
Until Lily spoke.
“You made everyone think they were helping.””
Everyone looked at her.
Michael smiled.
“Yes.””
She shook her head.
“That’s mean.””
The simplicity of her words made the room silent.
Michael looked annoyed.
“You don’t understand adults.””
Lily looked at him.
“I understand enough.””
She pointed toward the recorder.
“You keep saying people hurt each other because they’re weak.””
She paused.
“But you’re the one who needed everyone to fight.””
Nobody moved.
Even Michael looked surprised.
Because the child he underestimated had just exposed him better than anyone.
Daniel looked at Michael.
“She’s right.””
Michael’s expression changed.
“You think this ends here?””
Nobody answered.
He smiled.
“Because you still haven’t found the final document.””
My heart sank.
“What final document?””
Michael looked at Lily.
“The one your grandfather left.””
Daniel frowned.
“The trust?””
Michael nodded.
“The real one.””
Everyone froze.
“Where is it?””
Michael smiled.
“Your grandfather hid it.””
A pause.
“And only one person knew where.””
He looked at Lily.
May you like
My heart stopped.
“Who?””
