Chapter 19 - Daniel’s Final Confession
Daniel had spent three days refusing to cooperate.
Then he learned Vanessa intended to testify.
His attorney called Rebecca.
Daniel wanted a deal.
Evelyn met him inside the county detention center.
A glass partition separated them.
Daniel looked exhausted.
Evelyn sat.
“Why did you marry me?”
Daniel gave a bitter smile.
“Vanessa told you.”
“She told me to ask.”
Daniel looked down.
“Your father chose me.”
Evelyn felt cold.
“What?”
“Charles knew I was ambitious.”
Daniel explained.
Years before meeting Evelyn, he worked for an investment firm secretly managing several Whitmore accounts.
Charles noticed him.
He encouraged Daniel to attend events where Evelyn would be present.
Their first meeting had not been accidental.
Their second had not been accidental.
Even Daniel’s proposal had occurred according to a timeline Charles preferred.
“Why?”
“Your father wanted someone inside the family who understood his financial system.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“Our marriage was arranged?”
“Not exactly.”
“Did you love me?”
Daniel looked away.
“Eventually.”
That answer hurt more than a lie.
Daniel admitted Charles revealed parts of the secret network after the wedding.
After Charles died, Daniel inherited responsibility for hiding it.
Then Vanessa discovered the accounts during an audit.
She threatened exposure.
Daniel began working with her.
Then sleeping with her.
Eventually both believed Evelyn was the only person preventing them from controlling the company.
“You tried to erase me.”
Daniel shook his head.
“I wanted the drive.”
“You let everyone believe I was dead.”
“I panicked.”
“You told Clara I was dead.”
Daniel’s eyes lowered.
“I know.”
Evelyn stood.
Daniel suddenly pressed his hand against the glass.
“There’s one more thing.”
She stopped.
“Warren didn’t work for your father.”
“Then who?”
Daniel looked toward the guard.
Then whispered a name.
Evelyn stared.
“That’s impossible.”
“It isn’t.”
“You’re lying.”
“I wish I were.”
Evelyn left the room and immediately called Thomas.
“Where are you?”
“At the estate.”
“Get Clara.”
Thomas heard the fear in her voice.
“What happened?”
“Daniel gave me another name.”
“Whose?”
Before Evelyn could answer, the call disconnected.
At the Whitmore estate, every security camera simultaneously went offline.
Arthur looked at the control panel.
Margaret locked the front doors.
Thomas ran upstairs.
Clara’s bedroom was empty.
But this time she had not been taken.
A note lay on the bed.
Clara had written it herself.
I HEARD HIM IN THE LIBRARY.
May you like
I KNOW WHO HE IS.
DON’T FOLLOW ME.
