Daniel removed a smaller envelope.
"At least seven."
Alexander stared at it.
"Seven?"
"Some were returned. Others were delivered to your office."
Alexander shook his head.
"I never received them."
Daniel looked at him.
"Maybe someone made sure you didn't."
Alexander opened the envelope.
Inside were copies of letters.
The first was dated nine years earlier.
The handwriting was familiar.
Michael Carter had written:
"Mr. Whitmore,
I understand that you may believe the investigation has been completed. I want you to know that the allegations against me are false.
I discovered irregularities in the financial records of the Westbridge development project. When I reported them, I was instructed to alter my findings.
I refused.
I have copies of the original documents and can provide them whenever you are willing to listen.
I am not asking for money.
I am asking for the opportunity to defend my name."
Alexander stopped reading.
His hands began to tremble.
CHAPTER 9: THE MOMENT EVERYTHING CHANGED
Daniel watched Alexander carefully.
The old billionaire had spent most of his life commanding rooms.
He was used to seeing people lower their eyes when he spoke.
But now he was the one who could barely look up.
"Why didn't you come sooner?" Alexander asked.
Daniel shook his head.
"I was young. My mother was sick. We were struggling to survive."
Alexander looked at him.
"How old were you when your father died?"
"Twenty-one."
"What happened to your mother?"
"She passed away two years later."
Alexander closed his eyes.
Daniel continued.
"I spent years working different jobs. Construction sites, delivery services, warehouse shifts. I eventually returned to college and finished my degree."
Alexander looked at his hoodie.
"Why are you dressed like this?"
Daniel glanced down.
"Because I came straight from work."
"What work?"
"I repair equipment at a community technical center."
Alexander seemed confused.
"You have a degree?"
"Mechanical engineering."
Alexander stared at him.
"Then why work there?"
Daniel smiled faintly.
"Because I like helping people learn practical skills."
He paused.
"And because the center gave me a chance when nobody else would."
Alexander looked away.
He had judged the young man by his clothes before learning anything about him.
He had assumed Daniel was an opportunist.
But Daniel had spent years rebuilding his life without asking Alexander for a single dollar.
CHAPTER 10: THE FINAL PIECE OF EVIDENCE
Daniel removed one final document from the envelope.
It was a handwritten note.
Alexander recognized the signature immediately.
Victor Hayes.
The note was addressed to another executive.
It read:
"Michael has become a problem. His report cannot be allowed to reach Alexander. Proceed with the internal investigation as discussed. Make sure the original financial records are removed before the external audit."
Alexander read it silently.
Then he read it again.
His face became expressionless.
"Where did you get this?"
"My father saved it."
"Why?"
"Because he knew someone would eventually need to prove what happened."
Alexander looked toward Olivia.
"Did you know about this?"
Olivia shook her head.
"No."
Alexander placed the note on the table.
Then he looked toward Daniel.
"Why did you bring all of this to me?"
Daniel answered quietly.
"Because my father believed you were capable of doing the right thing."
Alexander lowered his head.
For several moments, the billionaire did not speak.
Then he asked:
"What do you want?"
Daniel looked at him.
"I want my father's name cleared."
"Anything else?"
"I want the company to admit what happened."
Alexander nodded slowly.
"And money?"
Daniel shook his head.
"I didn't come here for money."