Chapter 10
The two men on the floor were none other than Cheryl’s hired kidnappers–Rocky and Ted.
Cheryl’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stumbled two steps back.
Daniel’s voice was ice. “They already confessed. The kidnapping was your idea. You framed Elizabeth and made everyone think you were the victim.”
Cheryl shook her head furiously. “I don’t know them! Dan, you can’t just take their word for it! Please, listen to me…”
But Daniel wasn’t giving her a chance to talk her way out of it.
He pulled out his phone and held the screen up to her face. The screen displayed a screenshot of an international wire transfer. The recipient was Cheryl, and the amount was one hundred million.
Then he scrolled through more images.
There she was, dressed in designer gowns, sipping champagne, surrounded by luxury. A far cry from the tearful stories she’d told about starving abroad.
Cheryl went ghost white. She lunged for the phone, but he easily pulled it out of reach.
She had no idea where Daniel got those receipts. She had no idea who had gone to such lengths to destroy her, even leaking that surveillance footage during the engagement party.
Daniel looked at Cheryl, and the disappointment in his eyes was soul–crushing.
They had met in university, nearly ten years ago.
The Cheryl he remembered was gentle, thoughtful, and kind. The woman standing in front of him now was ruthless, manipulative, and unrecognizable.
If he hadn’t seen the evidence with his own eyes, he never would have believed Cheryl was capable of something so vile.
“Dan, I can explain!” Cheryl’s voice cracked under his gaze. “I wasn’t trying to manipulate you, I just loved you too much.
“I was afraid you’d fall for someone else while I was away. And the money, I was going to pay it back. I swear. I didn’t even need it—”
Daniel reached out, his fingers brushing her trembling cheek. Suddenly, he seized her jaw in a crushing grip.
“Tell me where Elizabeth is.”
Cheryl winced in pain, tears welling in her eyes.
“I–I-I don’t know…”
“Speak!” Daniel’s fingers tightened around her jaw, nearly crushing bone.
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