Chapter 6 - A Job That Wasn't an Accident
Rosa looked as shocked as Daniel felt.
“You knew who I was?”
Vanessa walked to the bar and poured herself water with a hand that shook only slightly.
“I recognized your name when the staffing agency sent candidates.”
“Then why hire me?”
Vanessa took a sip. “Because I wanted to see what you wanted.”
Rosa stared at her. “I wanted a paycheck.”
“No. You wanted him.”
“I did not know he was here.”
“You expect Daniel to believe that?”
Daniel stepped between them again. “This is not about what you expect me to believe anymore.”
Vanessa looked at him. “You’re angry. Fine. But think. A woman gives birth to a wealthy man’s child, disappears for three years, then magically gets hired inside his house?”
Rosa’s face burned. “I didn’t even know Daniel Hale was the father. The agency contract used code numbers.”
Daniel knew that part was true. Their fertility lawyer had recommended strict anonymity.
He also knew Vanessa had controlled almost every contact with the agency.
“Where are the records?” Daniel asked.
Vanessa went quiet.
“The original surrogacy records.”
“Our lawyer has them.”
“Which lawyer?”
She hesitated.
Daniel understood.
“Marcus.”
Vanessa looked away.
Marcus Reed was not only Daniel’s business partner. He had handled several private legal matters before becoming the company’s chief counsel.
Daniel pulled out his phone.
Vanessa stepped forward. “Who are you calling?”
“My attorney.”
“Marcus is your attorney.”
“Not anymore.”
He called Rachel Kim, an old law school friend who had spent years telling him never to let a business partner manage his family contracts.
She answered on the second ring.
“Daniel?”
“I need you at my house.”
“What happened?”
“I think my wife and my business partner lied to me about my son’s surrogacy.”
Silence.
Then Rachel’s voice changed.
“Do not sign anything. Do not let anyone remove documents, computers, or phones from the house. I’m coming.”
Daniel hung up.
Vanessa laughed softly. “You’re blowing up your life because a housekeeper showed you some videos.”
“No,” Daniel said. “I’m blowing up a lie.”
A car engine sounded outside.
Rosa looked toward the window.
Vanessa smiled.
“You’re late.”
Daniel frowned.
May you like
A black sedan stopped at the front steps.
Marcus Reed got out.
