Victoria's eyes filled with tears. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Then she was gone. Daniel stood alone in his office, heart pounding, mind racing, completely unaware that he would never see her alive again. Carter.
Daniel looked up from his computer. Marcus Webb, senior VP of operations, stood in his doorway with a smirk that Daniel wanted to punch off his face. Webb saw Victoria leave your office. Marcus leaned against the frame, mimicking Victoria's pose from minutes earlier. Door was closed an awfully long time.
We were discussing the Henderson project. Is that what they're calling it now? Daniel stood slowly. You have something to say, Marcus. Just making an observation.
Marcus examined his fingernails casually. You've been here 18 months, promoted twice. Victoria visits your office more than she visits the boardroom. People are starting to talk. Let them talk.
Oh, they are. Jennifer in accounting thinks you're sleeping together. Robert in legal thinks you're blackmailing her personally. Marcus smiled. I think she's lost her mind.
Promoting a nobody from middle management to senior project manager. Giving you access to her private calendar. Visiting your kid. Daniel crossed the room in three steps and grabbed Marcus by the collar. Say one more word about my daughter.
Marcus' smirk wavered. Easy, Carter. I'm just saying what everyone else is thinking. Then tell everyone else to mind their own business and stay away from my office. He shoved Marcus backward into the hallway.
Marcus stumbled, caught himself, and straightened his tie with shaking hands. You're making a mistake. Marcus said, "Whatever you think is happening with Victoria, it's not what you think. She doesn't do relationships. She doesn't do family.
She uses people and throws them away. Ask anyone who's been here longer than 5 minutes. Get out." Marcus walked away, but his words lingered like poison in the air. Daniel closed his door and leaned against it, breathing hard. His phone buzzed a text from Mrs. Patterson, the elderly neighbor who watched Lily after school.
Lily asking if Miss Victoria is coming today. What should I tell her? Daniel stared at the message. His six-year-old daughter had become obsessed with Victoria Hayes over the past 3 months. It had started with cookies.
Victoria bringing treats whenever she visited Daniel's office, then drawings, then questions. Does Miss Victoria like dinosaurs? Daddy, does Miss Victoria have a dog? Does Miss Victoria have any kids? That last question had made Daniel pause.
He'd never thought about it before. Victoria was 43, unmarried, no children that he knew of. She ran a billion dollar company. She attended galas and charity events. She graced the covers of business magazines, but she'd never mentioned family.
He typed back, "Tell her maybe tomorrow." His phone buzzed again immediately. She says, "Tomorrow isn't good enough. She made Miss Victoria a picture and wants to give it to her today." Daniel smiled despite everything. Lily was stubborn. She got that from him.