Chapter 6 - THE SECRET IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS
Richard Whitmore arrived at Daniel's office the following afternoon.
He was seventy-one.
Silver-haired.
Elegant.
And still carried himself like the man who had once believed he owned the future.
Daniel placed the letter on the desk.
Richard looked at it.
His expression changed.
“Where did you find that?”
Daniel stared.
“You recognize it.”
Richard said nothing.
Daniel stood.
“Did you keep Emily's letter from me?”
Richard sighed.
“Daniel—”
“Answer me.”
The older man looked away.
“Yes.”
The word landed like a gunshot.
Daniel gripped the desk.
“Why?”
Richard's expression hardened.
“Because you were twenty-seven and about to destroy everything we'd built.”
Daniel stared.
“Everything?”
“The company. The investors. Your future.”
Daniel shook his head.
“You had no right.”
Richard leaned forward.
“Emily wanted a family. You wanted an empire.”
Daniel's voice cracked.
“I wanted her.”
Richard looked surprised.
For a moment, the room was silent.
Then Daniel asked:
“Did you know she was pregnant?”
Richard looked down.
Daniel felt his stomach drop.
“You knew.”
Richard said nothing.
Daniel stepped backward.
Sixteen years.
Fifteen birthdays.
An entire childhood.
His uncle had known.
And had said nothing.
Daniel looked at him.
“Get out.”
Richard stared.
“Daniel—”
“Get out of my office.”
Richard stood slowly.
“You're making a mistake.”
Daniel looked at him.
“No.”
May you like
His voice shook.
“You made one sixteen years ago.”
