Chapter 9 - Daniel's Last Bargain
Daniel requested a confidential meeting through his attorney.
I refused.
Then he offered information investigators desperately wanted.
The location of money still missing from the pension fund.
The condition?
He wanted to speak to me.
Maya said I didn't have to.
I knew.
That was why I agreed.
Not because Daniel summoned me.
Because this time the choice was mine.
We met through thick glass at a secure detention facility.
Daniel looked smaller.
No tuxedo.
No cameras.
No mother fixing his problems.
He picked up the phone.
I did the same.
“You look good,” he said.
I waited.
“I miss you.”
“No, you don't.”
His expression tightened.
“You think you know everything now.”
“No. I know enough.”
“I loved you.”
“You loved controlling me.”
“You embarrassed me.”
I almost smiled.
Even now.
“I exposed what you did.”
“You could have handled it privately.”
“I tried.”
He looked away.
Then he offered the bargain.
There was $21 million hidden through an overseas structure.
He would disclose it.
But he wanted me to say publicly that he wasn't a monster.
I put down the phone.
His eyes widened.
He grabbed his receiver harder.
“Claire!”
I picked mine up one last time.
“I don't decide what you are, Daniel.”
He waited.
“You do.”
Then I left.
The next morning, Daniel disclosed the account anyway.
He had finally discovered something he'd never understood while we were together.
May you like
My boundaries were not invitations to negotiate.
---
