Chapter 6 - The Man Behind the Entire GameDaniel's Father Had Chosen HerAmara couldn't move.
She looked from Daniel to the old man sitting inside the limousine.
Daniel's father.
Alive.
Watching them.
The man smiled.
“Get in the car, son.”
Daniel stepped in front of Amara.
“No.”
His father's smile disappeared.
“You still think you can protect her.”
“I can.”
“You couldn't protect Sophia.”
Daniel's fists tightened.
Amara felt the tension between them like electricity.
“Who are you?” she demanded.
The old man looked at her.
“Alexander Williams.”
He turned to Daniel.
“And you have made a terrible mistake.”
“What mistake?”
“Falling in love.”
Daniel went silent.
Amara's heartbeat stopped.
Alexander laughed softly.
“You were supposed to marry her for leverage.”
Daniel looked at him.
“I married her because I wanted to.”
“You always were sentimental.”
Alexander raised a hand.
Several men stepped out of the limousine.
Daniel moved toward Amara.
“Stay behind me.”
Alexander sighed.
“You still believe money protects people.”
Then the limousine drove away.
Amara looked at Daniel.
“Did he really just say you married me for leverage?”
Daniel didn't answer.
She stepped back.
“I deserve the truth.”
“Yes.”
“Then give it to me.”
Daniel nodded.
“Five years ago, my father tried to take control of Williams Global Holdings.”
“Why?”
“He wanted to use the company for illegal financial operations.”
“And Sophia discovered it.”
“Yes.”
“She was kidnapped.”
“Yes.”
“And you pretended she was dead.”
“To protect her.”
“And you pretended to be homeless…”
Daniel looked at her.
“…to find out who around you was loyal.”
Amara crossed her arms.
“Why me?”
“Because your father was part of my father's network.”
“My father?”
“I never proved how deeply.”
Amara stared.
“And you thought marrying me would lead you to the evidence.”
“Yes.”
The honesty hurt.
“So I was an investigation.”
“At first.”
“At first?”
Daniel stepped closer.
“That changed.”
“When?”
“The first morning you left breakfast untouched because you were angry with me.”
She frowned.
“What?”
“You were angry because I hadn't asked how your father was.”
Despite herself, Amara almost smiled.
“I remember.”
“You put the plate back in the kitchen.”
“You were eating like nothing had happened.”
“I liked seeing your temper.”
She stared.
“You're unbelievable.”
Daniel smiled.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“Where?”
He listened.
“Bring her.”
Amara's stomach tightened.
“Who?”
Daniel looked at her.
“Sophia.”
An hour later, they arrived at a private estate outside the city.
A woman stood on the terrace.
Amara recognized her immediately.
Sophia.
Alive.
She turned.
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Daniel.”
He walked toward her.
They embraced.
Amara stood several feet away.
She didn't know how to feel.
Sophia stepped back.
Then looked at Amara.
“You must be Amara.”
“Yes.”
Sophia smiled sadly.
“He chose well.”
Amara frowned.
“You knew about me?”
“I knew everything.”
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
Sophia continued.
“Don't be angry with him.”
Amara laughed bitterly.
“He lied to me.”
“He lied to everyone.”
“But why should I trust him?”
Sophia walked toward her.
“Because if Daniel wanted your money, he never needed to marry you.”
Amara looked at her.
“He already had more money than your entire family.”
“Exactly.”
Sophia lowered her voice.
“He married you because your father was the last person connected to the people who tried to kill us.”
Amara froze.
“Us?”
Sophia nodded.
“My kidnapping wasn't random.”
“Who ordered it?”
Sophia looked at Daniel.
He shook his head.
“Not yet.”
Sophia sighed.
“I saw the man.”
“Who?”
“He gave the order.”
Amara waited.
Sophia whispered:
“Your father.”
Silence.
Amara's face drained.
“No.”
Sophia nodded.
“Your father knew I was investigating him.”
Daniel reached for Amara.
She stepped away.
“My father wouldn't…”
Sophia's eyes filled with sorrow.
“I wish he hadn't.”
Amara turned and ran.
Daniel followed.
“Amara!”
She stopped on the terrace.
“Don't.”
“Listen to me.”
“You knew.”
“I suspected.”
“You suspected my father tried to kill your wife?”
“I suspected he was involved.”
“And you married me anyway?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Daniel looked into her eyes.
“Because I knew you were innocent.”
She shook her head.
“You don't get to decide that.”
“I know.”
Her voice cracked.
“Then why does it feel like everyone knew something except me?”
Daniel took one step forward.
“Because someone spent twenty years making sure you remained blind.”
Before she could answer, her phone rang.
Her father's name appeared.
She answered.
“Dad?”
His voice was strangely calm.
“Amara, come home.”
“Why?”
“Because I've finally found something Daniel has been searching for.”
“What?”
A pause.
Then:
“The original ledger.”
Daniel heard it.
His expression changed instantly.
Her father continued.
“And it has your name on the first page.”
The call ended.
Daniel grabbed Amara's arm.
“We're going.”
“Where?”
“To your father's house.”
“Why?”
May you like
Daniel's face became grim.
“Because if that ledger exists, your father won't let either of us live long enough to see it.”
Related Stories
