Chapter 4 - The Man Roman Trusted Most
Roman stared at Daniel.
For twelve years, Daniel Mercer had handled contracts, acquisitions, legal emergencies, and family trusts.
Roman had trusted him with numbers nobody else was allowed to see.
“You,” Roman said.
Daniel smiled.
“Me.”
Marcus moved toward his radio.
Adrian lifted a hand.
“Don’t bother. Half the internal network is still isolated.”
Roman looked at his brother.
“You sent the man downstairs?”
Adrian’s expression tightened.
“I brought him onto the property.”
Claire stepped forward.
“He grabbed me.”
Adrian looked at her.
“That wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Claire laughed once in disbelief.
“That’s your defense?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Roman glanced at Claire.
She continued.
“He said your name because he thought you’d protect him.”
Adrian looked at the floor.
Daniel interrupted.
“This conversation is wasting time.”
Roman turned toward him.
“What do you want?”
“Control.”
“Of what?”
“The Vale holdings.”
Roman almost smiled.
“You broke into my house for paperwork?”
“Not paperwork. Access.”
Daniel had spent years creating shell corporations, trusts, and voting structures around the Vale empire.
Roman finally understood.
“You needed the house offline long enough to access my private server.”
Daniel nodded.
“Correct.”
“And Adrian?”
“Useful.”
Adrian’s face hardened.
“You told me Roman was moving everything offshore.”
Daniel shrugged.
“I told you what was necessary.”
Adrian stared at him.
Roman said quietly, “He used you.”
“Shut up.”
“You thought I was cutting you out.”
“I said shut up.”
Claire suddenly spoke.
“He’s still using you.”
Everyone looked at her.
Daniel frowned.
Claire pointed toward the tablet.
“If Adrian was your partner, why did your man downstairs say his name?”
Silence.
She continued.
“He wasn’t afraid of exposing Adrian.”
Roman understood immediately.
“Because Adrian was supposed to take the blame.”
Daniel’s smile disappeared.
Claire looked at Adrian.
“When this was over, every camera log would show you entering the estate.”
Adrian stared at Daniel.
“And Roman’s credentials were copied,” Claire continued. “So either Roman looked responsible or you did.”
Daniel said sharply, “You’re a housekeeper.”
Claire met his eyes.
“And somehow I’m still following this better than you hoped.”
Roman’s mouth almost curved.
Adrian stepped away from Daniel.
“You planned to frame me.”
Daniel sighed.
“You were always emotional.”
Roman moved between Claire and Daniel.
“Careful.”
Daniel looked at him.
“There he is.”
“Who?”
“The Roman Vale everyone fears.”
Roman’s voice remained calm.
“No. That man would have handled this differently twenty years ago.”
“And now?”
“Now I collect evidence.”
Marcus placed his phone on the counter.
A tiny recording indicator glowed on the screen.
Daniel’s expression changed.
Marcus smiled.
“Internal network came back six minutes ago.”
Daniel looked toward the doorway.
Two loyal security officers appeared behind him.
Roman said one sentence.
May you like
“Daniel Mercer no longer works for me.”
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