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Everyone thought Daniel was about to marry the woman carrying his child. / Chapter 8 / 10

Chapter 8 - CLEANING THE HOUSE

Forty-eight hours after the disastrous wedding, the fallout hit the headlines of every major newspaper in the country.

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: "VANCE LOGISTICS CFO ARRESTED IN $45M EMBEZZLEMENT AND MURDER PLOT" NEW YORK POST: "ALTAR OF LIES: BRIDE’S FAKE PREGNANCY EXPOSES MILLION-DOLLAR CONSPIRACY"

At Vance Logistics headquarters, the atmosphere was busy but triumphant.

With the ledger recovered from the marina, Daniel’s forensic accounting team had successfully frozen the offshore wire transfers, recovering every single dollar of the $45 million before it cleared the international clearinghouses.

In addition, police raids on Vanessa’s private apartment uncovered fake medical documentation, silicone body-suits, and recorded phone conversations detailing her entire arrangement with Richard.

By Tuesday afternoon, Daniel sat in his office, signing the final paperwork to terminate several corrupt mid-level managers who had been aiding Richard’s schemes.

A soft knock sounded at his office door.

Julian walked in, carrying a manila folder. "The district attorney just called. Vanessa accepted a plea bargain. She’s testifying against Richard in exchange for a reduced sentence. Richard is facing charges of first-degree grand larceny, fraud, child endangerment, and conspiracy to commit murder."

Daniel leaned back in his leather chair, letting out a long, slow breath. "He’ll spend the rest of his life in prison."

"He will," Julian agreed. He placed the folder on Daniel’s desk. "And there’s one more thing. The police located Elena."

Daniel’s expression softened. "Where is she?"

"She was hiding at a women's shelter in Brooklyn," Julian explained. "She came in voluntarily to give a full statement. The DA reviewed her testimony and confirmed that she acted under direct duress regarding her daughter. They aren't pressing criminal charges against her."

Daniel looked down at his desk. "Bring her back."

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At a family dinner, I stood up smiling and announced I was pregnant. The whole table went completely silent — then my mother-in-law suddenly let out a laugh and yelled: “She’s pretending to be pregnant just to milk money from us!” Before anyone could even react, she seized my hand and pushed me off the hotel rooftop to “prove” I was faking it. Broken and barely conscious, I came to in the hospital with my husband by my side, pale as a ghost and shaking. But the moment the doctor stepped in and opened his mouth, the words he said made the entire room freeze in utter disbelief and horror.

At a family dinner, I stood up smiling and announced I was pregnant. The...

At Christmas dinner, my mother-in-law pushed my plate away and said, “Leave—this table is for people who bring money into this family.” I turned to my husband and asked if he agreed, but his cold silence was the biggest mistake of his life, because two months later, my father’s true net worth destroyed his entire bloodline…

At Christmas dinner, my mother-in-law pushed my plate away and said, “Le...

Julian looked surprised. "You want her back at the estate?"

"She risked her life to leave that letter in my study, Julian," Daniel said quietly. "She protected my son when she could have just fled the country. She has a place at our house for as long as she wants."

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