Chapter 3 - The Secret Behind Arthur Sterling's Death
Daniel returned to Renee's estate before sunrise.
He demanded answers.
Renee finally confessed that Marcus had not simply abandoned her.
She had ordered him to leave.
Weeks before her diagnosis, Marcus had discovered something inside Sterling Global that neither of them understood.
A private archive belonging to Arthur Sterling.
Inside it was a list of shell corporations, offshore accounts, government contracts, and payments made through companies that officially had nothing to do with Sterling Global.
Marcus had stolen a copy.
Then he disappeared.
Renee believed he had betrayed her.
But she wasn't certain.
Daniel asked why she had never gone to the police.
“Because I don't know who I can trust.”
She showed him documents proving that members of the executive board had been transferring company assets.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Victor Hale.
Sterling Global's chief operating officer.
Victor had worked for Renee's father for twenty-five years.
He had become the man everyone trusted after Arthur died.
Daniel immediately disliked him.
Victor, however, welcomed Daniel warmly when they met.
Too warmly.
He smiled at Daniel as if they were old friends.
“So you're the electrician.”
Daniel nodded.
“And you're the billionaire's boyfriend?”
“For six months.”
Victor laughed.
“Interesting arrangement.”
Daniel watched his eyes.
Victor wasn't amused.
He was measuring him.
At the next board meeting, Daniel accompanied Renee.
The room was filled with executives who had known her since childhood.
Yet when Renee entered, conversations stopped.
One board member questioned whether her illness had compromised her judgment.
Another suggested she take a temporary medical leave.
Renee fought back.
Daniel said nothing.
Until Victor insulted him.
“Perhaps Ms. Sterling's new companion should leave corporate decisions to people qualified to make them.”
Daniel looked at him.
“I've worked around electrical systems for twenty years.”
Victor smiled.
“And?”
“And I've learned something.”
“What?”
“Machines don't usually lie.”
The room went silent.
Daniel noticed Renee suppressing a smile.
But after the meeting, she collapsed in the hallway.
Her fever had returned.
Daniel carried her back to her room.
As doctors treated her, Daniel realized how fragile she really was.
That night, Renee apologized.
“You didn't sign up for this.”
Daniel looked at her.
“You're right.”
“Then why are you still here?”
“Because I know what it feels like to watch someone you love disappear.”
Renee looked away.
“I don't want your pity.”
“You don't have it.”
For the first time, she believed him.
Then a nurse brought Daniel an envelope.
Inside was a single handwritten note.
Ask Renee what happened the night Arthur Sterling died.
Daniel confronted her.
Renee's face went white.
“My father died in his sleep.”
“That's what everyone says.”
She shook her head.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
Daniel placed the note on the table.
Renee stared at it.
May you like
Then she whispered:
“My father wasn't supposed to die that night.”
