Chapter 50: The old fox has been hiding his claws
Daniel had stormed into the mansion intent on confronting Anna—but instead, he left with something else entirely: amusement.
The flustered look on her face when he threatened to kiss her lingered in his mind like an imprint he couldn’t shake.
For a moment, he had nearly lost control himself, the urge so strong he’d silenced it with words rather than action. But now, with distance between them, regret clawed at him.
"Maybe a peck would’ve done," he muttered under his breath, the image of her plump lips flashing through his thoughts.
"Ahem, boss—we’re here."
The driver’s voice snapped him back to reality. Daniel straightened instantly, his expression smoothing into calm indifference as the car rolled to a stop.
The door opened, and Daniel stepped out, spotting Henry already waiting at the entrance.
"They’re inside," Henry said quietly.
Together, they entered the restaurant, heading straight toward the private dining room where the delegates awaited.
Inside, the atmosphere was hushed but refined. Daniel settled into the chair across from Mr. Smith—one of his earliest clients, the man who had once taken a gamble on him when no one else would.
Mr. Smith’s brows lifted as he set down his glass, surprise flickering in his eyes. "I wasn’t expecting to hear from you, Mr. Clafford. To be honest, it’s quite surprising to see you again after all these years."
Daniel allowed himself a small smile—respectful, composed. He had always admired Smith’s uncompromising work ethic, and in many ways, the man had been an early inspiration.
"I’m glad you still remember me," Daniel replied evenly. "After all, it was you who trusted me when I had nothing." His tone carried rare sincerity, though his eyes gleamed with calculation.
Smith leaned back, studying him. "So, what made you reach out now?"
It had been years since they last worked together. And now, out of nowhere, Daniel Clafford had returned.
"I heard you’ve been looking for a partnership in Lupton," Daniel said smoothly, his tone shifting into business. "How about you consider us?"
Smith blinked, clearly surprised. Daniel was known for empire-building, not dabbling in small-scale ventures. "Why would you want to work with a business like mine?"
Daniel’s lips curved faintly. "Because that’s where I started from."
The words were simple, deliberate—just enough sincerity to disarm suspicion. Yet behind them lay a sharper truth.
Daniel knew Hugo had been circling Smith, desperate for this very partnership. Smith was the only man who could stand on equal footing with Daniel, the kind of ally Hugo needed to strengthen his crumbling empire.
But Daniel’s plan was to strike first. To claim Smith before Hugo could—and when the time came, to leave his so-called father-in-law with nothing but ruin.
Smith hesitated. Everyone knew Daniel and Hugo were business partners—and soon to be family. Why, then, would Daniel sabotage him? The contradiction unsettled him, which only made Daniel’s presence across the table feel more dangerous.
Daniel leaned forward slightly, his voice calm but edged like steel. "I know you’re skeptical, Mr. Smith. You’re wondering why I’d want to hinder Hugo’s pursuit of you. But you and I both know—if you want your business to soar, partnering with me is your best bet. After all, the Bennetts are still struggling to keep their heads above water."
The words were twisted, yes—but not entirely false.
Smith had built his empire by trusting numbers, not emotions. And truthfully, Hugo’s position was weakening year by year. The man practically wagged his tail before Daniel, already too dependent on him.
Smith’s gaze wavered as he studied Daniel—the sharp suit, the calm authority, the quiet aura of a man who never lost.
He didn’t trust easily. But profit was profit. And Daniel Clafford was a man who never gambled without winning.
"Alright then," Smith said finally, his voice firm. "Let’s make the deal."
A subtle smile ghosted across Daniel’s lips. Just as he had expected. The outcome had been decided long before the conversation began.
***
Meanwhile, inside the conference room, Hugo was deep in discussion when his assistant slipped back in after a phone call.
"Boss... Mr. Smith has rejected the offer."
The words landed like a hammer blow. Hugo froze. Then, without hesitation, he barked, "Meeting adjourned!"
The room fell silent. His team exchanged startled looks as Hugo shoved back his chair and strode out, his face dark with fury.
...
"How is this possible?" Hugo’s voice thundered as soon as the door shut behind him. "Just yesterday, he was ready to sign with us! What changed overnight?"
The assistant flinched under the weight of his anger, shrinking into himself.
Hugo’s jaw clenched. He had spent weeks preparing for this deal. Partnering with Smith Group was supposed to be the lifeline to secure his crumbling empire and get out from Daniel’s grip.
And yet, at the very moment he needed it most, the deal had slipped through his fingers.
"Ron," Hugo snapped, turning on his assistant, "find out why he rejected us. I want answers. Every detail, every whisper—I want to know everything."
"Yes, sir," Ron stammered before quickly hurrying out.
Left alone, Hugo gripped the edge of his desk, his knuckles whitening as frustration gnawed at him.
This deal had been his only shot at salvation. And now, with Smith turning his back, Hugo felt the walls closing in.
"Who the hell is pulling the strings?" Hugo muttered, his voice low and bitter, unable to comprehend why everything kept slipping from his grasp.
But what he didn’t know—what he couldn’t even begin to imagine—was that every thread of his misery was being woven by Daniel. And this was only the beginning.
***
Inside the moving car, Henry glanced sideways at his boss. "I wasn’t expecting Mr. Smith to agree with us. After all, Mr. Bennett’s proposal was well-prepared."
Silence hung in the air for a moment before Daniel’s lips curved into a smirk.
"It’s business, Henry. I know how to play my cards. Hugo’s proposal might have looked impressive, but in the end..." his eyes narrowed, "...it’s always my decision whether or not I’ll let him win."
Henry gave a small nod of understanding. Ever since Hugo had joined forces with Daniel, he believed he was thriving, raking in profits. But the truth was far darker. Without realizing it, Hugo had been dancing to Daniel’s tune all along—his success and his failures both orchestrated from the shadows.
Henry reached for the briefcase at his side, pulling out a slim folder. "The bank records you asked for."
Daniel’s gaze flicked to the file as he took it, tapping his fingers against the cover with measured patience. "Did you confirm anything?"
Henry’s reply was crisp. "Yes, boss. The transaction Miss Kathrine made was traced back to one of Mr. Bennett’s dummy accounts. And unfortunately..." he hesitated briefly, "he has more than a few. Accounts he handles in secret."
Daniel’s expression hardened, though his smirk never fully faded. "As expected. The old fox has been hiding his claws."
Daniel slowly opened the file, his eyes scanning the list of accounts and transactions with surgical precision.
"So this is how he helped his daughter run away," he murmured, almost amused. But the glint in his eyes darkened, turning sharper, deadlier, as he pieced together the game Hugo had been playing behind his back.
With a snap, Daniel slammed the file shut and handed it back to Henry. "You know what to do next."
"Yes, boss."
Daniel leaned back in his seat, silent. But his silence was louder than words, his aura shifting into something heavier, colder—an unspoken warning of the storm about to come.
So that’s your move, Hugo... hiding her behind a wall of shadows.
Daniel’s gaze hardened, his thoughts cutting like a blade. ’Wherever you’re hiding, Kathrine—I will find you.’
The car sped down the road, but the determination burning in Daniel’s eyes was unshakable, a vow written in steel.