Chapter 13 - Chloe’s Recording
Chloe received Daniel’s message shortly after midnight.
COME TO THE HOTEL.
WE NEED TO FIX THIS.
She almost ignored it.
Then she remembered Caroline’s advice.
If Daniel contacts you, save everything.
Chloe went.
But before leaving her apartment, she activated the recorder on her phone.
Daniel opened the hotel door immediately.
He looked terrible.
His eyes were bloodshot.
Empty bottles covered the table.
“You talked to Rebecca.”
Chloe remained near the door.
“Yes.”
“You gave her my messages.”
“Yes.”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“I gave you everything.”
“You lied about everything.”
“I loved you.”
Chloe stared at him.
“No.”
“You loved having someone who believed you.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“Don’t become self-righteous now.”
“I’m not.”
“I know what I did.”
“I slept with a married man.”
“I took expensive gifts.”
“I enjoyed humiliating Rebecca because I believed every ugly thing you told me about her.”
Her voice shook.
“But I did not agree to commit crimes for you.”
Daniel poured another drink.
“There were no crimes.”
“You forged signatures.”
He froze.
Chloe immediately noticed.
“Who told you that?”
“You just did.”
Daniel slammed the glass down.
“You need to stop talking to Caroline.”
“Why?”
“Because she’ll use you.”
Chloe laughed.
“You used me first.”
Daniel moved toward her.
Chloe stepped back.
“What are you doing?”
His voice softened.
“Chloe.”
“We can still fix this.”
“How?”
“We tell them Rebecca fabricated everything.”
Chloe stared at him.
“You want me to lie.”
“I want you to remember who paid for your life.”
“My life?”
She almost laughed.
“You paid my rent with stolen company money.”
Daniel’s eyes hardened.
“Watch your words.”
“Did you know my company was receiving diverted funds?”
Daniel said nothing.
Chloe pressed.
“Did you use CMB because you thought no one would look at me?”
“Stop.”
“Did you forge Adam’s name?”
“Stop.”
“Did you forge Rebecca’s?”
Daniel grabbed her wrist.
Chloe gasped.
“Let go.”
“You are going to ruin everything.”
“You already ruined it.”
Daniel tightened his grip.
“You don’t understand what happens if Phoenix collapses.”
“What happens?”
“I owe people money.”
Chloe became still.
“How much?”
Daniel released her.
He turned away.
“How much?”
She repeated.
“Twenty-six million.”
Chloe stared.
“You’re twenty-six million dollars in debt?”
Daniel rubbed his face.
“Temporary obligations.”
“To who?”
“Private lenders.”
“Victor?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Daniel looked toward the window.
“People you don’t want to meet.”
Chloe’s fear changed.
This was bigger than the affair.
Bigger than the company.
“Is that why you needed Phoenix?”
Daniel said nothing.
“You were going to sell the company to pay your debts.”
“I was going to solve a problem.”
“You were going to destroy Rebecca and use Adam’s trust.”
Daniel suddenly turned.
“I built that family.”
“I built that company.”
“I deserve what I earned.”
Chloe’s phone continued recording.
She swallowed.
“And Rebecca?”
“What did she deserve?”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“She should have signed when I told her.”
Chloe felt her pulse racing.
“Signed what?”
“The settlement.”
“She refused.”
“So you forged it?”
Daniel stepped closer.
“I said enough.”
Chloe backed toward the door.
Daniel saw the phone in her hand.
His eyes narrowed.
“What are you holding?”
Chloe’s stomach dropped.
“Nothing.”
“Give me the phone.”
“No.”
“Chloe.”
He moved toward her.
She pulled the door open.
Daniel lunged.
Chloe screamed.
The hallway security camera captured everything.
She ran.
Daniel stopped at the doorway.
Guests opened their doors.
A hotel employee hurried toward them.
Chloe reached the elevator and pressed the button repeatedly.
Her phone was still recording.
Daniel stood twenty feet away.
His face twisted with rage.
“You think Rebecca will protect you?”
Chloe looked directly at him.
“No.”
The elevator opened.
She stepped inside.
“I think the truth will.”
The doors closed.
May you like
Ten minutes later, Chloe called Caroline.
And this time, she had Daniel’s confession in his own voice.
