Chapter 7: The Man Behind The Plan
Daniel had always believed losing money was painful.
He was wrong.
Losing trust hurt more.
By noon, his company’s board members had gathered in the conference room.
People who had once congratulated him.
People who had shaken his hand.
Now they avoided his eyes.
Daniel stood at the front of the room.
“Someone forged my signature.””
The board members remained silent.
Finally, Victor, the oldest member, spoke.
“The documents appear legitimate.””
Daniel stared at him.
“Appear?””
Victor adjusted his glasses.
“The legal team is reviewing everything.””
“My name is on a document I never signed.””
A younger executive looked uncomfortable.
“Daniel, maybe there was a misunderstanding.””
Daniel turned.
“A misunderstanding?””
The man looked down.
“You’re suggesting I accidentally transferred my company?””
Nobody answered.
Because nobody wanted to say yes.
Daniel understood.
Richard had already prepared the battlefield.
Then the doors opened.
Richard Hayes walked in.
Perfect suit.
Calm expression.
Not a single sign of panic.
He looked exactly like a man who had already won.
“Good afternoon.””
Daniel’s fists tightened.
“You.””
Richard smiled.
“Me.””
Margaret stood beside her son.
She looked at the man who had destroyed her life.
“You should not be here.””
Richard looked at her.
“Actually, I think I belong here.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“You forged my signature.””
Richard laughed softly.
“That’s a serious accusation.””
“You stole my company.””
“No.””
Richard walked toward the table.
“I acquired a company through a legal agreement.””
Daniel’s voice rose.
“I never signed anything.””
Richard looked around.
Then he smiled.
“Are you sure?””
The room went silent.
Richard placed a folder on the table.
Inside was another copy.
The signature.
The agreement.
Everything.
Daniel stared.
“How?””
Richard leaned closer.
“You really think I spent years planning this without preparing?””
Margaret stepped forward.
“You ruined our family.””
Richard looked at her.
“No.””
He smiled coldly.
“Your family ruined itself.””
Daniel wanted to hit him.
But he didn’t.
Because anger was exactly what Richard wanted.
“What was the point of Lauren?””
Richard looked at his daughter.
Lauren lowered her eyes.
For the first time, Richard looked disappointed.
“You failed.””
Lauren flinched.
Daniel noticed.
“She was never your daughter.””
Richard ignored him.
“She was a tool.””
Lauren’s face changed.
“Dad.””
Richard looked at her.
“Did you think I cared about your feelings?””
The room became silent.
Daniel saw something in Lauren’s expression.
Not guilt.
Not fear.
Pain.
Real pain.
Richard turned back to Daniel.
“You were always too emotional.””
Daniel smiled slightly.
“And you were always too arrogant.””
Richard raised an eyebrow.
“You think you’ve won something?””
Daniel stepped closer.
“No.””
He looked at the folder.
“But I know something you don’t.””
Richard’s smile faded slightly.
“What?””
Daniel looked at Ethan.
Ethan understood immediately.
He connected his laptop to the conference room screen.
A video appeared.
Richard’s face changed.
“What is that?””
Ethan pressed play.
The recording showed Richard speaking privately.
The audio was clear.
“I don’t care about the company. I care about revenge.””
The room went silent.
Richard’s own voice filled the room.
“Daniel’s father took years from me. I’m taking his son’s future.””
Nobody moved.
Daniel watched Richard’s confidence disappear.
The video continued.
Richard admitted everything.
The manipulation.
The wedding.
The plan.
The forged documents.
When the recording ended, the room was silent.
Victor slowly removed his glasses.
“Mr. Hayes…”
Richard looked furious.
“This proves nothing.””
Daniel smiled.
“It proves enough.””
Richard turned toward him.
“You think one recording changes everything?””
Daniel looked at Lauren.
Then at his mother.
Then at the people in the room.
“Yes.””
Richard stepped closer.
“You’re just like your father.””
Daniel looked him in the eye.
“No.””
He paused.
“I’m better.””
For the first time, Richard looked uncertain.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“What?””
Everyone watched.
Richard listened.
Then slowly lowered the phone.
“What happened?”” Lauren asked.
Richard didn’t answer.
Daniel noticed.
“What did you lose?””
Richard looked at him.
And for the first time, he looked afraid.
Because someone else had just attacked him.
Someone more powerful.
Someone Richard Hayes couldn’t control.
Richard whispered:
“The evidence…”
May you like
He looked at Daniel.
“Someone leaked everything.””
