Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 62: Deception Unveiled

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Deception Unveiled

Lily sat in the safe house’s darkened room, her fingers clenching around the edges of the papers that were laid out in front of her. Every page demonstrated the labyrinth of falsehoods Daniel had woven throughout his life, not only surrounding their marriage. In front of her was evidence of Carlisle’s treachery: offshore accounts, covert transactions, and ties to his criminal network.

Ethan sat across from her, studying every detail with a keen eye. As she came to terms with the reality, his presence served as a stabilizing influence.

Lily whispered, "This isn’t just about him cheating on me," in a hollow voice. "Daniel has been helping Carlisle launder money." Every account, every transaction—it all comes back to him.

With a somber gaze, Ethan leaned forward. This indicates that we have power. Daniel will lose everything if we properly expose this, not just his fortune.

With a sharp gasp, Lily reached for another document, her hands shaking. "So why does it seem like something is still missing?"

Ethan paused, turning the pages once more. He looked at the statistics with furrowed brows. "Because we are." Something connecting him to Carlisle’s primary business is lacking. On the page, he tapped a particular date. This payment. Compared to the others, it is larger. It took place just before his and Cassandra’s relationship. This might imply—

Lily gasped for air. "Cassandra was more than just a liaison. She participated in the scheme.

A chilly insight overcame her. Was she ever really loved by Daniel? Or had she always been a pawn in his game plan? Her chest tightened under its weight, but she fought the need to give in to the agony.

Ethan looked at her intently. "It’s different if she works for Carlisle. We’re up against a much more formidable foe than Daniel’s treachery alone.

They were both on high alert when there was a knock on the door. Ethan got up right away and gestured for Lily to follow him. With caution, he approached the door and grasped the handle before slightly opening it to reveal who was inside.

One of Ethan’s reliable acquaintances, Liam, hurried inside and shut the door after him. His voice was low and anxious as he stated, "We have a problem." Daniel is aware that you’re right him. He’s moving quickly.

Lily felt sick to her stomach. "What do you mean?"

A folded piece of paper was given to Ethan by Liam. He has already begun tidying up. Deleting documents and relocating assets. He’s not working alone, either.

As he unfurled the note, Ethan’s gaze grew darker. He handed it to Lily after that.

Come see me. By themselves. You don’t want to find out what occurs if you say no. —D.H.

As Lily read the note, her hands began to shake. Fear began to seep into her voice as she glanced up at Ethan. "I have something on him, and he knows it."

Ethan tightened his jaw. He’s attempting to keep you apart. He is aware that you are now his greatest danger.

Liam looked from one to the other. We’re running out of time. He will stop at nothing to hide his tracks if he is traveling this fast.

Lily steadied herself by taking a big breath. "I’ll meet him then."

Anger surged in Ethan’s eyes. "Definitely not."

Her face hardened with determination as she raised her chin. "I must. He will continue to come for me if I don’t. For us. I must see what he has planned.

With a dangerously low voice, Ethan took a step closer. What if it’s a trap, too? What if he’s enticing you into something from which you can’t get away?

Unflinching, Lily looked him in the eye. "I’ll be prepared for him then."

There was a tight stillness. Ethan ran a hand through his hair and let out a slow gasp before nodding. "All right. However, you’re not traveling alone.

Liam grinned. "I was hoping you would say that."

Back when she believed their marriage was real, they had eaten at the restaurant Daniel had picked for their meeting innumerable times. It was now simply another scene in their intricate web of lies.

Lily entered, her every step deliberate. Daniel was seated at a table in the corner, and she could not read his face. Even though he was dressed perfectly as always, there was a change in his manner—a coldness that hadn’t always been present.

As she sat across from him, Daniel said, "Hello, darling," with ease.

Lily wasted no time making small talk. "Daniel, what do you want?"

Swirling the whiskey glass in his hand, he laughed. "So straightforward. I have always liked that quality in you. His grin wavered. "However, you have been researching things that you shouldn’t."

Despite her stomach churning, Lily remained fearless. "And what specifically do you want me to avoid finding?"

Daniel’s face grew serious. "You believe you have control, but you don’t. Lily, you’re playing a risky game.

She bent over. "You are, too. The offshore accounts are something I am aware of. The laundering. Carlisle. Everything.

Daniel remained motionless for a moment. Then he grinned slowly. "You truly believe you have me in a tight spot?" Sliding a single image across the table, he reached into his jacket.

As Lily gazed down, her blood froze. It was an image of Ethan.

Bound to a chair. His face was covered in blood.

Her fingers tightened on the paper as her breath caught. "What did you do?" she muttered.

Daniel appeared happy as he reclined back. "Lily, do you want to be the hero? Alright. However, heroes are not perfect. He grinned more broadly. "And I discovered yours."

She fought the need to panic but forced herself to remain composed. "Give him up, Daniel." This is private between us.

Pretending to think about it, he cocked his head. It depends. Do you wish for Ethan to survive? His voice dipped to a whisper as he leaned closer. "Get out of here. Destroy the proof. Don’t even remember Carlisle. If you do that, I might—just might—let your tiny guardian go.

Below the table, Lily’s hands balled into fists. To get here, she had put up a fierce fight. To find out what’s true. To reveal Daniel.

However, Ethan’s life was now in jeopardy.

Daniel noticed her hesitancy and smiled. "You must make a decision by tomorrow morning."

Lily sat there with her heart racing as he got up, buttoned his jacket, and left.

No matter what, she had always sworn to defeat Daniel.

Was she prepared to pay the ultimate price, though?

She was confident as she gazed at the picture that Daniel had just committed the worst error of his life.

Because it wasn’t simply about getting even anymore.

The man who had put everything on the line for her needed to be saved.

And she would do whatever it took to win him back.