Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 52: Unveiling the Past

Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Unveiling the Past

Except for the steady tapping of Lily’s fingers against her desk, the night was eerily quiet. Each page of the paperwork Sarah’s team had strewn in front of her revealed a more sinister side to Daniel’s business activities. She had poured through the files for hours, trying to figure together how he had betrayed her. Even she found it difficult to fully understand the extent of the web of lies.

Her concentration was disrupted by her phone buzzing next to her. Ethan was the one. She was uncertain of how to express everything she had discovered, so she paused for a moment before responding.

"Lily?" He spoke steadily and with concern. "How are things going for you?"

She answered, "I’m fine," but her voice was trembling, which betrayed her. "I’m just looking over these materials. It’s... overpowering.

Ethan let out a sigh. "I can picture it. Would you like me to visit? You don’t have to work alone on this.

Lily closed her eyes and took in his offer. Although she had always been fiercely independent, the stress of the previous few weeks was starting to get to her. She whispered, "I think I could use the company."

Ethan showed up thirty minutes later with a bottle of wine and a box of takeout. After placing the meal on the table, he sat down next to her and looked at the jumble of papers.

With a light yet worried tone, he remarked, "This looks intense."

Lily handed him one of the documents and said, "It is." "My signature on these offshore accounts was falsified by Daniel. I might be held accountable if this is discovered.

As he looked over the document, Ethan’s jaw tensed. "Lily, this is terrible. However, it’s also your opportunity to reveal him. We can reverse the situation if we play this correctly.

She nodded, appreciating his steadfast assistance. "More evidence is being gathered by Sarah’s team. However, there is another factor. Unsure of how to express her suspicion, she hesitated. Daniel may have also done this to other people, in my opinion. What happens if I’m not alone?

Ethan scowled as he thought about what she had said. "It is feasible. Daniel and other men don’t settle for just one victim. Your case might be strengthened if we can identify another person he has hurt.

The thought gave Lily a renewed resolve. She would find others if they were out there. She was determined to destroy Daniel’s kingdom, brick by brick, because it had been founded on deceit.

Lily got a surprise call the following morning from an unidentified number. Her heart pounding with eagerness, she paused before responding.

With hesitation, a woman’s voice said, "Ms. Harper?"

She answered, "Yes, this is Lily." "Who is this?"

The woman introduced herself as Claire Bennett. "I... A few years ago, I was employed by Daniel Whitmore. I’ve heard about your efforts, and I believe I may be of assistance.

Lily gasped for air. "How were you made aware of this?"

Claire said, "Sarah James." As she investigated Daniel’s activities, she got in touch with me. I had information that would be helpful, but I was previously unable to voice it. I felt afraid.

Claire’s voice carried a worry that made Lily’s heart hurt. She was well aware of Daniel’s imposing nature. "You no longer need to be afraid," she replied softly. "We can defeat him together if you’re prepared to share what you know."

Claire paused, then answered. Daniel performed transactions under false pretenses, and I have documentation of them. Although I never imagined I’d have the guts to use them, I retained them as insurance. Can we get together?

"Obviously," Lily replied. "With Sarah, I’ll make the arrangements."

Lily had a wave of hope as the call came to an end. The secret to dismantling Daniel’s business may lie in Claire’s testimony. They seemed to have a genuine chance at winning for the first time.

Claire and Lily met at Sarah’s workplace that afternoon. Claire was a small woman with anxious eyes, holding on to a battered leather folder as though it were her life. Her hands shaking a little, she set the folder down on the table.

Claire continued, hardly raising her voice above a whisper, "These are copies of everything I found." Daniel moved money around by using shell corporations. I knew that wasn’t legal, even if I didn’t fully comprehend it.

Sarah leafed through the papers, her face darkening with every turn. "It’s damning," she declared. "We can start a formal investigation if we can confirm these transactions."

Lily extended her arm and squeezed Claire’s hand reassuringly. "I appreciate you coming forward. I am aware that this wasn’t simple.

Claire forced a tiny grin. "All I want is for him to pay for his actions. He destroyed my reputation and my career. He cannot get away with that, in my opinion.

The gravity of their discoveries started to set in as the day went on. The stakes were higher than ever, yet they were about to expose Daniel. He had no idea what he may do to defend himself if he learned of their schemes.

Ethan stopped by to see how Lily was doing that night. With the city lights sparkling in the background, they sat on her balcony.

He looked into her eyes and inquired, "How are you feeling?"

"Frightened," Lily said. But also resolute. It feels for the first time like we are moving forward.

With a little smile on his lips, Ethan nodded. "You realize how amazing you are? By this point, most people would have given up, but not you.

His words caused a sensation of warmth to sweep across Lily’s chest. "Without you, I couldn’t have accomplished this," she uttered quietly. "Throughout everything, you have been my pillar of support."

Ethan extended his hand and brushed a lock of hair away from her face. "Lily, you underestimate your strength. And I will always be here, no matter what.

As the night wore on, Lily permitted herself to think quietly for a while. She was not the same person she had been at the beginning of this adventure, yet the path ahead was intimidating. Armed with the facts and surrounded by supporters who shared her beliefs, she was stronger than ever.

Lily had hope for the first time in years as Daniel’s empire began to fall apart. She had the power to influence the future now that the past had been revealed.

She was prepared for whatever came next.