Six months earlier, Richard had discovered that someone inside his company was secretly transferring money through several offshore accounts.
The investigation had been conducted quietly.
Only a handful of people knew about it.
And when the financial records finally reached Richard's desk, he found something that made his blood run cold.
The transactions had been approved using Daniel's authorization.
At first, Richard refused to believe it.
He thought someone had stolen his son's credentials.
He hired independent investigators, ordered a complete audit, and examined every document personally.
The evidence became increasingly difficult to ignore.
Millions of dollars had disappeared.
And every trail seemed to lead back to Daniel.
Richard confronted his son privately.
Daniel denied everything.
He blamed accountants, business partners, and employees.
He even accused his father of trying to destroy his future.
Richard wanted to believe him.
He desperately wanted the evidence to be wrong.
But he could not allow the company to collapse simply because the person responsible shared his last name.
So he made a decision.
At the birthday celebration, he planned to announce a major restructuring of the company.
Daniel would lose his executive position until the investigation was complete.
And Isabella, who had recently completed a business management program, would be appointed to oversee the company's charitable foundation and independent financial review.
Richard did not intend to humiliate his son.
He simply wanted the truth.
But Daniel had discovered the announcement before the party began.
And he was determined to stop it.
At approximately eight o'clock, Isabella arrived downstairs wearing a beautiful red evening dress.
She had chosen it because red was her mother's favorite color.
For a moment, Richard forgot about the problems surrounding the company.
He smiled when he saw her.
“Look at you,” he said, walking toward her. “Your mother would have been proud.”
Isabella smiled sadly.
“I wish she could be here.”
Richard gently kissed her forehead.
“She is. In everything you do.”
Daniel watched them from the opposite side of the room.
His expression hardened.
He approached them with a champagne glass in his hand.
“Quite touching,” he remarked.
Richard turned.
“Daniel.”
“Happy birthday, Father.”
“Thank you.”
Daniel glanced at Isabella.
“You look very pleased with yourself tonight.”
She frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. Just admiring the dress.”
Isabella recognized the sarcasm but chose not to respond.
Daniel took a sip of champagne.
“Father, could we speak privately?”
“Not now. The guests are arriving.”
“It concerns the company.”
Richard's smile disappeared.
“We'll discuss it tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow might be too late.”
Isabella looked between them.
“Is everything okay?”
Daniel gave her a cold smile.
“Don't worry. It's family business.”
Richard placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder.
“Go enjoy yourself, sweetheart.”
Isabella nodded and walked toward the dining room.
As she disappeared into the crowd, Daniel leaned closer to his father.
“I know what you're planning to announce.”
Richard's expression remained unchanged.
“Then you know why we need to talk.”
“You're going to replace me.”
“I'm going to suspend your authority until the investigation is finished.”
“You're giving everything to her.”
“Isabella has nothing to do with this.”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“Of course she doesn't. She never has to do anything. She just stands there looking innocent, and you give her everything.”
Richard lowered his voice.
“This is not about your sister.”
“It has always been about her!”
Several guests turned toward them.
Richard stepped closer.
“Control yourself.”
Daniel's jaw tightened.
For the first time that evening, he looked genuinely frightened.
Not because of his father's anger.
But because he knew what would happen if the financial investigation continued.
There was something in those missing records that had not yet been discovered.
Something far more damaging than stolen money.
Something that connected Daniel to a secret Richard had buried years earlier.
And Isabella had recently found a document that could expose everything.
At nine fifteen, the guests gathered in the main hall.
Richard stood beside the grand staircase, holding a microphone.
He thanked everyone for attending and spoke briefly about the company, its employees, and the importance of family.
Then he announced that the Harrison Group would undergo a major internal review.
The room became quiet.
Daniel stood near the staircase, gripping his glass.
Richard continued.
“For many years, I believed that success was measured by the size of a company, the number of buildings we owned, and the influence we held. But as I have grown older, I have realized that none of those things matter if we lose the people we love along the way.”
He paused.
“Tonight, I want to announce a new chapter for this family and this company.”
Daniel's face turned pale.
Richard looked toward Isabella.
“My daughter has reminded me what responsibility truly means. She has spent years helping people without asking for recognition. I believe it is time we bring those values into our business.”
Applause began.
Daniel did not move.
Richard raised one hand.
“Effective immediately, Isabella will help oversee the independent review of our charitable foundation and its financial operations.”
The applause grew louder.
But Daniel was no longer listening.
He walked toward the staircase.
Isabella noticed him.
“Daniel?”
He stopped.
“Congratulations,” he said.
There was something frightening in the way he smiled.
“Thank you,” Isabella replied cautiously.
He leaned closer.
“You should be careful what you celebrate.”