Chapter 9 - Daniel Had Been Investigating Victoria
Emma’s first instinct was denial.
“My father died because someone killed him?”
Richard shook his head.
“I said there’s evidence suggesting it.”
He opened another folder.
Daniel had been tracing missing funds from Hale Industries.
The transfers led to shell companies.
One name appeared repeatedly.
V. Ward Holdings.
Victoria’s maiden name was Ward.
Emma stared at her aunt.
“You were stealing from the company?”
Victoria’s eyes flashed.
“No.”
“Then what was it?”
“My father was.”
Emma frowned.
Victoria explained.
Her father, Charles Ward, had been Hale Industries’ financial controller.
He had used shell companies to siphon money.
Daniel discovered it.
Anna helped him copy the records.
Victoria knew something was wrong.
But she did not know the scale.
Richard asked, “Then why did Daniel write your name in his notebook?”
Victoria froze.
Richard placed a photocopied page on the desk.
Daniel’s handwriting:
Victoria knows. Ask her why she warned Charles.
Emma stared.
Victoria began crying.
“I warned my father because I thought Daniel was overreacting.”
Richard said nothing.
“He was my father.”
Emma’s voice hardened.
“And Daniel died.”
Victoria covered her face.
“I know.”
The night before Daniel’s crash, Victoria told Charles that Daniel planned to go to the authorities.
Hours later, Daniel’s brakes failed.
Charles Ward died three years afterward.
No charges were ever filed.
Emma whispered, “My mother knew?”
“Yes,” Richard said.
“And she still stayed near Victoria?”
Victoria answered.
“Anna hated me.”
Emma looked at her.
“She should have.”
Victoria accepted that.
Then she said, “But she needed proof.”
The missing blue key opened a private records locker Daniel rented under another name.
Anna had hidden the key.
Nathan Cross had spent years trying to find it.
Emma suddenly remembered something.
Her mother had owned one piece of blue jewelry.
A cheap plastic pendant.
May you like
Emma had kept it since childhood.
It was still in her apartment.
