Daniel's eyes moved toward the final page.
There was a recommendation.
Establish a personal relationship with Emily Carter before the trust review is completed. Marriage may provide an opportunity to influence future decisions.
Daniel slowly lowered the document.
"What is this?"
Richard said nothing.
"Father, what is this?"
Victoria looked away.
Richard finally answered.
"It was a strategy."
Daniel stared at him.
"You planned my marriage?"
"We identified an opportunity."
"An opportunity?"
Richard stood.
"You were young, unmarried, and already moving in the right social circles. Emily was vulnerable because she had no knowledge of her family's financial position. It was a logical arrangement."
Daniel's face turned red.
"Did you expect me to marry her?"
"I expected you to build a relationship."
"And if I fell in love with her?"
Richard shrugged.
"That would have been useful."
Daniel took a step backward.
He suddenly remembered the first time his father had asked him about Emily.
He remembered the questions.
Where did she live?
Who were her relatives?
What did she know about her mother?
At the time, he had thought his father was simply being protective.
Now he understood.
His father had treated Emily's life like a business opportunity.
And Daniel had allowed it to happen.
"Did you ever care about her?"
Richard's expression became cold.
"Feelings are not relevant."
Daniel stared at him.
"She's pregnant."
"Then you should convince her to return before the inheritance is transferred."
"You're talking about my child as though it's another business transaction."
Richard slammed his hand against the desk.
"Everything I have built is at risk!"
Daniel looked at him with disbelief.
"And you still don't understand what you've done."
He dropped the report onto the desk.
"I won't help you."
Richard's expression darkened.
"You will do exactly as I say."
"No."
"Daniel."
"For once in my life, I'm making my own decision."
He turned toward the door.
Richard's voice followed him.
"If you walk out of this room, you may lose everything."
Daniel stopped.
Then he looked over his shoulder.
"Maybe losing everything is the only way I'll finally understand what matters."
He left.
But he did not yet know that his father had another plan.
A plan involving a document that could potentially remove Emily's inheritance rights.
Three days later, Emily received a message from Thomas.
The search had produced a confirmed lead.
Michael Bennett was alive.
He was living in a small coastal town in Oregon, where he had worked as an independent architect for nearly fifteen years.
Emily read the message several times.
Then she called her grandfather.
"Grandpa?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"They found him."
Alexander was silent for a moment.
"Are you certain?"
"Thomas confirmed it."
"Then we should arrange a meeting."
Emily looked down at her stomach.
She imagined meeting a man she had never known.
Would he recognize her?
Would he be disappointed?
Would he ask why she had never searched for him?
She had so many questions that she could hardly organize them.
Alexander seemed to understand.
"You don't have to decide what to feel before you meet him."
Emily smiled faintly.
"I'm scared."
"That's understandable."
"What if he doesn't want to see me?"
"Then we'll face that together."
Emily nodded.
But before they could make arrangements, another call came through.
It was Daniel.
She almost ignored it.
Then she remembered the baby.
She answered.
"What is it?"
"Emily, I need to see you."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Please. There is something you need to know."
"What?"
"My father planned our marriage."
Emily closed her eyes.
She had expected this.
But hearing it confirmed still hurt.
"How long have you known?"
"I found out yesterday."
"Did you know before we got married?"
"No. I swear."
Emily remained silent.
Daniel continued.
"My father had information about your family. He wanted me to get close to you because of the inheritance."
"Did you agree?"
"I didn't know about the full plan."
"That isn't what I asked."
Daniel struggled to answer.
"I knew he was interested in your background."
Emily felt tears slipping down her cheeks.
"And you still married me."
"Because I loved you."
She laughed softly, though there was no happiness in the sound.
"Daniel, I don't know what was real anymore."
"Emily, please. I made mistakes, but my feelings were real."
"Then why did you let your family treat me like that?"
"I was weak."
"Why did you allow your mother to humiliate me?"