Chapter 6: The Secret Her Father Kept for Two Years
Naomi stared at the photograph.
For several seconds, she couldn't breathe properly.
Uncle Samuel.
She remembered his booming laugh, the way he used to bring her birthday presents, and how he always called her the smartest little girl in the room.
He had been her father's closest friend.
At least, that's what she had believed.
Then, two years earlier, he had disappeared.
No phone calls.
No birthday messages.
No explanation.
When Naomi asked about him, Daniel simply said Samuel had moved away to pursue another opportunity.
She had accepted that answer.
Until now.
“Miss Carter?””
The security employee's voice brought her back.
Naomi looked at him.
“Who gave you this?””
“I don't know. It was left at the desk.””
“Did you see the person?””
He shook his head.
“No, ma'am.””
Naomi examined the envelope again.
“Does my father know about this?””
“Not yet.””
She immediately called Daniel.
He answered quickly.
“Naomi?””
“Dad, I need you to come upstairs.””
“What happened?””
“I received the photograph.””
There was a pause.
“What photograph?””
“The one with Uncle Samuel.””
Daniel said nothing.
“Dad?””
“Don't go anywhere. I'm coming.””
The call ended.
Naomi looked down at Amara.
Her daughter was awake now, staring up at her with wide, dark eyes.
Naomi gently rocked her.
“It's okay, sweetheart.””
But she wasn't sure whether she was reassuring the baby or herself.
Daniel entered the lounge less than three minutes later.
Marcus followed him.
Daniel immediately noticed the photograph in Naomi's hand.
His expression hardened.
“Where did you get that?””
Naomi handed it to him.
“Someone left it at the security desk.””
Daniel studied the picture.
His thumb moved across the edge of the photograph.
For a moment, he looked older.
Not wealthy.
Not powerful.
Just tired.
“Dad,” Naomi whispered, “why is Uncle Samuel in this picture?””
Daniel pulled out a chair.
“Sit down, sweetheart.””
“I am sitting.””
He glanced at the baby.
Then he took a slow breath.
“Samuel was more than a business partner. He was my best friend for almost twenty years.””
“I know.””
“We built several businesses together. We started small, made mistakes, lost money, and eventually built something successful.””
Naomi nodded.
“Then why did he disappear?””
Daniel looked at the photograph.
“Because he believed I betrayed him.””
Naomi stared.
“What?””
“Two years ago, we discovered irregularities in one of our hospitality investments. Several payments had been approved through accounts that weren't supposed to exist.””
“Who approved them?””
“That's what we were trying to establish.””
“And Uncle Samuel?””
“He was the regional director responsible for investigating those payments.””
Naomi looked confused.
“So he was investigating the company?””
Daniel nodded.
“He believed someone inside the organization was stealing money. He came to me with evidence.””
“What happened?””
Daniel rubbed his jaw.
“Before we could finish the investigation, the documents disappeared. Several employees changed their statements. Samuel was accused of authorizing transactions he claimed he never approved.””
Naomi's eyes widened.
“Was he fired?””
“He resigned before the company could complete its internal review.””
“Why?””
“Because he believed I had allowed the investigation to be manipulated.””
Naomi stared at him.
“Did you?””
Daniel looked directly at her.
“No.””
“Then why didn't you tell him?””
“I tried. He wouldn't listen.””
Daniel looked away.
“I called him for weeks. I visited his house. I sent letters. Eventually, he stopped responding.””
Naomi studied her father's face.
“Do you think Richard had something to do with it?””
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, “I think we need to find out.””
Across the property, Richard Lawson was pacing inside his private office.
Vanessa sat on the leather sofa, scrolling through her phone.
“Why are you acting like this?”” she asked.
Richard stopped.
“Because this is a disaster.””
“For whom?””
“For both of us.””
Vanessa laughed.
“You're the vice president. He's not going to fire you over one argument in a lobby.””
Richard stared at her.
“You slapped the daughter of the controlling shareholder.””
Vanessa shrugged.
“I didn't know who she was.””
“That doesn't make it better!””
Vanessa stood.
“Don't raise your voice at me.””
Richard rubbed his face.
“You have no idea what you've done.””
She crossed her arms.
“Actually, I think you're panicking because you have something to hide.””
Richard went quiet.
Vanessa studied him.
“What's in those missing reports?””
“Nothing that concerns you.””
“Then why did you hide them?””
Richard walked toward the desk.
“Listen carefully. You need to go upstairs, stay in your suite, and stop talking to anyone about what happened.””
Vanessa frowned.
“Are you giving me orders?””
“I'm trying to protect you.””
“From what?””
“From making this worse.””
She laughed.
“You should be thanking me. If I hadn't called you, you wouldn't even know Daniel Carter was here.””
Richard stopped.
“Who told you to call me?””
Vanessa frowned.
“What?””
“Who told you to call me?””
“Nobody. I called because the manager was having trouble.””
Richard looked toward the door.
“Did anyone hear you mention my name downstairs?””
Vanessa shook her head.
“I don't know.””
He exhaled sharply.
Then his phone rang.
The caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A man's voice spoke.
“Richard, we have a problem.””
Richard closed his eyes.
“What now?””
“The Carter family has the photograph.””
Richard's face went pale.
“What photograph?””
“The one from two years ago.””
Richard turned toward Vanessa.
She stared at him.
“Who are you talking to?””
Richard raised a hand for silence.
“Who gave it to them?””
The voice on the phone replied.
“Someone from the old team.””
Richard lowered his voice.
“Find out who.””
“Already working on it.””
“And Samuel?””
A pause.
“He's back.””
Richard gripped the phone.
“What?””
“He arrived in Las Vegas this afternoon.””
Richard looked toward the window.
For the first time, he seemed genuinely afraid.
“Where is he now?””
The caller replied.
“That's the problem. He's looking for Daniel.””
The call ended.
Vanessa stepped forward.
“Richard, what's going on?””
He looked at her.
Then at the closed office door.
“Get your things.””
“Why?””
“We're leaving.””
Vanessa frowned.
“You just told me to go upstairs.””
“Not anymore.””
She grabbed her handbag.
“I'm not going anywhere until you explain.””
Richard leaned toward her.
“Samuel Brooks is back.””
Vanessa froze.
“Samuel?””
“Yes.””
“Isn't he the man who used to work with Daniel?””
Richard stared at her.
“He knows where the bodies are buried.””
Back in the private lounge, Daniel was still examining the photograph.
Naomi held her phone.
“Dad, I want to ask you something.””
“Go ahead.””
“Did you ever try to find Uncle Samuel after he disappeared?””
Daniel nodded.
“Several times.””
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I thought I was protecting you.””
Naomi's eyes filled.
“I'm not a little girl anymore.””
Daniel looked at her.
“I know.””
“No, Dad. You keep making decisions about what I should know. You told me to call you if someone treated me badly. But now I find out there was a whole part of your life you never explained.””
Daniel lowered his eyes.
“You're right.””
Naomi hadn't expected him to agree so quickly.
He continued.
“I thought if I kept the business problems away from you, you'd have a normal life. You'd finish school, build your career, raise your family, and never have to worry about the things I dealt with.””
Naomi looked down at Amara.
“Dad, I don't need a perfect life. I just need the truth.””
Daniel nodded.
“You deserve that.””
A knock interrupted them.
Marcus entered.
“Mr. Carter, we have an update.””
Daniel stood.
“What is it?””
Marcus looked at Naomi, then back at Daniel.
“Samuel Brooks has contacted the hotel.””
Daniel's face changed.
“What did he say?””
“He requested a meeting with you.””
“When?””
“Tonight.””
Daniel glanced at his watch.
“Where?””
Marcus swallowed.
“Not here. He asked to meet somewhere private.””
Daniel nodded.
“Tell him I'll come.””
Naomi looked up.
“Dad, I want to go with you.””
Daniel immediately shook his head.
“No.””
“Why?””
“Because I don't know what we're walking into.””
“Then don't go alone.””
Marcus stepped forward.
“Sir, I recommend we arrange security.””
Daniel nodded.
“Agreed.””
Naomi stood, carefully holding Amara.
“Dad, please. This involves my family too.””
Daniel looked at her for a long moment.
Then he gently touched her shoulder.
“I understand.””
He looked toward Marcus.
“Arrange a secure meeting room. Samuel can come here if he agrees.””
Marcus nodded.
“I'll contact him.””
Daniel's phone vibrated.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
*Daniel, I know what Richard did. I know what happened to the missing money. But before I tell you everything, there's something you need to know about your daughter.*
Daniel's face drained of color.
He read the message again.
Then another message arrived.
*The woman who slapped Naomi wasn't the person who arranged today's confrontation.*
Daniel looked up.
Naomi noticed his expression.
“Dad?””
He locked his phone.
“What?””
“What's wrong?””
Daniel stared at her.
For the first time that evening, he seemed unable to find the right words.
Then he looked toward Marcus.
“Cancel everything else.””
“Sir?””
Daniel turned the phone around.
Marcus read the message.
His eyes widened.
Naomi stepped closer.
“What does it say?””
Daniel looked at his daughter.
“Sweetheart, I need you to tell me something.””
“What?””
“Before today, had you ever met Vanessa Whitmore?””
Naomi shook her head.
“No. Never.””
Daniel's expression darkened.
“Had you ever spoken to Richard Lawson?””
“No.””
Daniel looked toward Marcus.
Then back at Naomi.
“Then why would someone arrange a confrontation specifically involving you?””
Nobody answered.
A moment later, Marcus's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds.
Then his face went white.
“Mr. Carter…”
Daniel turned.
“What?””
Marcus lowered the phone.
“Samuel Brooks is downstairs.””
Daniel took a breath.
“Bring him up.””
Marcus hesitated.
“Sir, there's one more thing.””
“What?””
Marcus looked directly at Naomi.
“Mr. Brooks didn't come alone.””
Naomi felt her stomach tighten.
“Who is with him?””
Marcus swallowed.
Then he answered.
“Your grandmother.””
Naomi froze.
May you like
Her grandmother had been dead for six years.
And the woman standing downstairs was about to reveal why everyone had been lying to her family.
