Chapter 9 - The Daughter He Sacrificed Everything For
Adeline listened to her father's recording three times before she understood the full cruelty of what had happened.
Samuel Caruso had known she wanted to work at Dunore Industries.
He'd also known Sterling was waiting for her.
But he couldn't tell her the truth.
The recording revealed why.
Sterling had threatened to involve Adeline in the fraudulent transfers by forging evidence against her.
He'd promised Samuel that if he signed a confession, his daughter would be left alone.
Samuel signed.
Six months later, he was sentenced to prison.
And Sterling hired Adeline anyway.
Not to protect her.
To monitor her.
Adeline sat in Emmett's office while rain streaked the windows.
Her father's voice still echoed in her ears.
Leave my daughter out of this.
She pressed both hands against her face.
"He knew."
Emmett remained beside her.
"He knew Sterling was watching me, and he still couldn't stop it."
"Adeline—"
"I was angry with him."
Her voice broke.
"When Dad went to prison, I thought he'd given up. I thought he was ashamed of what he'd done."
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I didn't visit him during his last month."
Emmett lowered himself into the chair opposite her.
"He knew you loved him."
"How can you know that?"
"Because he talked about you in every letter he sent my grandfather."
Adeline looked up.
"What letters?"
Emmett reached into his briefcase.
He removed a small stack of envelopes.
"I found these among my grandfather's papers."
Adeline stared.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I only received the box from storage yesterday."
He handed her the first letter.
Samuel's handwriting covered the page.
Emmett, I don't know whether you remember me. Your mother saved more people than anyone will ever know, and I wish I'd done more to protect her.
Adeline swallowed.
The letter continued.
My daughter Adeline is the best thing I've ever done with my life. She's stubborn, compassionate, and far braver than she realizes.
Her tears fell onto the paper.
If anything happens to me, please make sure she knows I never stopped being proud of her.
Emmett waited while she read.
He didn't interrupt.
Didn't offer easy reassurance.
He simply remained there.
Eventually, Adeline looked at him.
"Why did you buy this company?"
He took a slow breath.
"Because I wanted access to the records Sterling had spent years hiding."
"And because of Dad?"
"Yes."
She studied him.
"Did you know I worked here?"
Emmett hesitated.
"Before I made the final offer, yes."
Her expression changed.
"So you were watching me too?"
"No. My investigators identified you in the employee records. I wanted to speak with you, but I didn't know whether Sterling had already threatened you."
Adeline stood.
"Then why not tell me?"
"Because I was afraid he'd hurt you if he knew we were working together."
She looked toward the window.
Another powerful man making decisions about her safety without asking what she wanted.
Emmett seemed to understand.
"You're right to be angry."
She turned.
He continued.
"I should've told you sooner. You deserve to make your own choices."
The honesty surprised her.
Then Gio entered carrying a sealed legal notice.
"Emmett, we need to talk."
His expression was grim.
Sterling had just filed another court petition.
This time, he wasn't challenging the acquisition.
He was claiming that Adeline Caruso had knowingly participated in the pension fraud.
And he'd submitted a document bearing her signature.
Adeline stared at the page.
Her heart stopped.
Because the signature was genuine.
May you like
But she'd signed that paper three years earlier.
On her very first day at work.
