Chapter 6
The sharp trill of a ringtone sliced through the silence of the signing ceremony, and Daniel Reed was suddenly seized by a foreboding sense of dread.
He took a deep breath and pressed answer. His carefully maintained smile hadn’t even had the chance to fully appear before an icy voice on the other end cut through.
“Mr. Reed, I regret to inform you that the Whitmore Group Subsidiary is terminating all cooperative projects with the Reed Corporation effective immediately. All prior investments will be withdrawn and settled according to the contract terms.“\ The voice of the department head was utterly flat, yet it carried clearly through the receiver–and in the hushed hall, every word was audible.
Daniel’s pupils contracted sharply, the phone nearly slipping from his grip. “Henry Collins? Could you repeat that? Why the sudden withdrawal? We’re about to sign the contract!“}
“This is a decision from headquarters,” Henry’s tone left no room for negotiation. “You should ask yourself, Mr. Reed, whether you’ve offended someone you really shouldn’t have.”
Beep… beep… beep-
The call disconnected. Daniel remained frozen mid–gesture, phone still raised, as the color drained entirely from his face. The room erupted into chaos. Camera shutters fired like gunshots as reporters surged forward.”
“Mr. Reed! Why did the Whitmore Group suddenly withdraw? Was there an issue with the partnership?“”
“Henry Collins mentioned ‘offending someone you can’t afford to offend‘–who was he referring to?“”
“How will the termination impact the Reed Corporation? Are you facing a funding crisis?“}
Daniel stumbled back, colliding with the signing table behind him. Panic twisted his features as he waved his arms. “Quiet! Please! This is just a misunderstanding–there must be some mistake!“}
Desperately, he seized Sophie Lane’s wrist like a drowning man clutching at a lifeline, his voice shaking with urgent plea. “Sophie! Call your family! Tell Mr. Whitmore to clear this up–this must be some kind of mix–up!“}
His grip was so tight it could have crushed bone, but Sophie didn’t lean into him as she usually did. Instead, she flinched, her eyes darting away in visible panic.
Under the glare of the flashbulbs, her perfectly applied makeup looked painfully stiff. Her lips trembled, but no complete sentence emerged. “I… I…”
She had never met any Mr. Whitmore. Her so–called identity as “the daughter of a tycoon” was nothing more than a fabrication, spun from a photograph with a peripheral employee of the Whitmore Group Subsidiary and a handful of boastful lies.
She had counted on that false identity to secure Daniel, planning to cement her position once the Reed–Whitmore partnership was sealed. Then, even if the truth came to light, the Whitmore family would be reluctant to make a scene. But she had never imagined the deal would collapse seconds before signing.
“Say something!” Daniel barked, veins bulging at his temple. “Aren’t you the Whitmore heiress? Just tell your father–he can fix this in a minute!!!
“I…” Sophie’s eyes were rimmed red, her thoughts a tangled mess, but she forced herself to avoid the probing stares of the press.[
At that moment, Daniel’s phone rang again. Hope flared–maybe Henry had reconsidered. He snatched it up, only to hear his lawyer’s voice, cold and formal, informing him he was required to cooperate with an investigation into the intentional injury of Claire Whitmore.”
The last vestiges of color left his face. He slumped against the signing table, gaze unfocused.
Sophie, watching him unravel, felt a jolt of fear. She knew that once Daniel learned the truth about her, she’d lose everything. Better to strike first than wait to be destroyed.”
She lifted her head abruptly, eyes shimmering with tears, and turned toward the surrounding reporters. Her voice quavered with wounded accusation. “It must have been Claire Whitmore! This is all her doing!“”
Alleyes swung to her–Daniel’s included, clouded with confusion.
Sophie sniffled, the picture of fragile misery. “Claire’s never liked me. She thinks I’m in the way because I’m carrying Daniel’s child. Just days ago, she argued with me and said she’d make him pay. I’m sure she’s the one who badmouthed Daniel to the Whitmore people–deliberately sabotaging our deal!“}
She clung tighter to Daniel’s arm, her eyes brimming with innocent hurt. “Daniel, you believe me, don’t you? No one else would do this to us.”
