Then, if I discovered it, threaten me with the scandal it could create for my military career.
That was why he threw me out.
He believed the paperwork was already strong enough.
He believed the loan would close.
He believed the trust would fund.
And he believed once I was frightened enough about my career, I would quietly sign whatever he put in front of me.
The affair was not the plan.
The ring was not the plan.
Humiliating me in the hospital was simply Daniel celebrating too early.
And that was his mistake.
Part Seven — The Most Expensive Morning of His Life
Daniel called twelve times after Lauren agreed to cooperate with investigators.
I answered the thirteenth.
“Rebecca.”
His voice sounded relieved.
“Thank God.”
“What do you want?”
“We need to stop this before it gets out of control.”
“It already is.”
“Lauren is panicking.”
“No. Lauren is talking.”
Silence.
Then:
“What did she tell you?”
