Chapter 3: The Third Folder
The atmosphere in the room had shifted completely.
Daniel's supporters were disappearing one by one.
Jonathan opened the third folder.
Inside were records of employee settlements.
Confidential agreements.
Internal complaints.
Several guests exchanged worried glances.
One of Daniel's business partners stood up.
"What exactly are these?"
Jonathan adjusted his glasses.
"Former employees who alleged intimidation, retaliation, and financial misconduct."
The room erupted into murmurs.
Daniel pointed at Jonathan.
"Those accusations were dismissed."
"Some were," Jonathan replied.
"Others were settled."
Emma watched Daniel's carefully crafted image crumble piece by piece.
For years, he had convinced everyone that success made him untouchable.
Now the people who once admired him were seeing something entirely different.
One partner quietly pushed his chair back.
"I think our firm needs to review some agreements."
Another nodded.
"So do we."
Daniel suddenly realized the danger.
Not just losing Emma.
Not just losing money.
May you like
Losing trust.
And trust was the foundation of everything he had built.
