Chapter 10 - DANIEL’S PUBLIC WAR
Daniel held a press conference outside Hale Meridian headquarters.
He described himself as a founder removed through a family trust he had never been allowed to understand.
He called Charles controlling.
He called Nora vindictive.
He said the ballroom incident had been edited to remove Nora’s aggression.
Then he looked directly into the cameras.
“I love my daughter.”
“I reacted badly during an emotional moment.”
“I will spend the rest of my life regretting my words.”
Nora watched from her attorney’s office.
“He did not apologize for throwing me.”
Her attorney nodded.
“He apologized for the words because the recording is undeniable.”
Daniel continued.
“My wife’s family is using a private tragedy to steal the company I built.”
The statement divided public opinion.
Some people saw the footage and condemned him.
Others believed Nora’s wealth had trapped Daniel.
Former employees began speaking publicly.
A regional director described being fired after questioning Celeste’s expenses.
A nurse coordinator said Daniel called low-income patients bad investments.
A former executive revealed that Nora’s name had been removed from company materials.
The story shifted.
Daniel was not being destroyed by one terrible night.
The night had opened a door to years of conduct people had been afraid to describe.
Celeste remained silent.
Her family’s attorneys advised her to place all responsibility on Daniel.
Then Nora received an encrypted message.
It came from Celeste.
Daniel planned the entire thing.
I can prove it.
Meet me without Charles.
Nora showed the message to police.
They arranged a monitored meeting in a hotel conference room.
Celeste entered wearing a simple black dress.
No diamonds.
No silver.
No confidence.
She placed a phone on the table.
It contained recordings of Daniel.
In one, he said,
“Lucy cries easily.”
“If you scare her, Nora will react before she thinks.”
In another, he discussed the custody petition.
Celeste looked at Nora.
“He told me you were unstable.”
“He said you hit him.”
“Did you believe him?”
“I wanted to.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted your life.”
Nora looked at her.
“You wanted my husband.”
“No.”
“I wanted the company.”
“I wanted the house.”
“I wanted people to stand when I entered.”
The honesty did not make Celeste innocent.
It made the conspiracy easier to understand.
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She and Daniel had not been united by love.
They had been united by appetite.
