The Bride Widow
Chapter 183 - 181: At last - Part 2

Chapter 183: 181: At last - Part 2

Daniel paced the living room, his mind a whirl of thoughts and emotions.

The sight of Clair and Noah leaving the judge’s chambers had disturbed him deeply, and he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that something bigger was at play. His frustration simmered just below the surface, and when James approached him, it all came spilling over.

"Did everything go well with Anabella?" James asked, his young voice tentative.

Daniel snapped, his anger lashing out uncontrollably. "Why are you always asking about her? It’s none of your business!"

James flinched, his eyes wide with fear. Without another word, he retreated to his room, leaving Daniel standing alone, his guilt creeping in almost immediately.

He clenched his fists, trying to push the remorse aside, but it gnawed at him. He knew he had been too harsh, but his mind was too preoccupied to offer comfort to his son now.

Unable to focus on anything else, Daniel grabbed his coat and stepped out into the night. He had a plan, albeit a reckless one.

If what he saw was as significant as he believed, then it needed to be exposed. He decided to contact a reporter, someone who could dig deeper into the judge and his suspicious "friends."

Daniel arrived at a discreet café, choosing a secluded corner where he could speak without drawing attention. The reporter, a wiry man with sharp eyes and a wary demeanor, arrived shortly after. Daniel leaned forward, speaking in hushed tones.

"I have information," Daniel began, his voice low but urgent. "About the judge in Anabella’s case. He’s involved with some powerful people—dangerous ones. I need you to investigate."

The reporter’s eyes narrowed, and he shook his head. "I don’t know who you think I am, but I don’t deal with dangerous cases. Too many reporters have vanished trying to expose the wrong people."

Daniel’s frustration boiled over, and he leaned in closer, his alpha pheromones subtly filling the space between them. "You’ll want to reconsider. This is a story that could make your career."

The reporter shifted uncomfortably, visibly affected by the pheromones but maintaining his composure. "I’m not interested in becoming another name on a missing persons list. Find someone else."

Daniel clenched his jaw, leaning back slightly but still radiating intensity. "I don’t think you understand. This isn’t a request."

The reporter shook his head again, standing up. "I’m not risking my life for this. Good luck with your investigation, Mr. Daniel."

As the reporter turned to leave, Daniel sat back, seething. He had expected resistance, but he was determined not to let this go. He didn’t notice that they had been observed the entire time, followed from the moment he left his house.

Outside the café, a figure watched Daniel closely, their presence hidden in the shadows.

Daniel, so engrossed in his plans, remained oblivious. The reporter, however, was more cautious. As he walked away, he subtly glanced around, sensing something was off, but not enough to warn Daniel.

Determined, Daniel left the café and headed home, already plotting his next move. But unknown to him, every step he took was part of a carefully laid trap.

The alpha pair had anticipated his actions, knowing his desperation would drive him to make bold, careless moves. The more Daniel struggled, the tighter the net around him became.

By the time he reached his house, Daniel’s thoughts were a chaotic mix of anger, fear, and determination.

He was so caught up in his schemes that he failed to notice how every move he made was being carefully monitored.

Once Daniel returned home, the house felt unusually silent. James was in his room, likely still upset from their earlier confrontation.

Daniel rubbed his temples, the stress of the day wearing on him. His mind raced, thinking of how to proceed after the reporter’s refusal. He couldn’t let this go. He believed he had stumbled upon something monumental, and he was determined to uncover it, no matter the cost.

He sat at the kitchen table, flipping through his phone, considering his options. Perhaps he could find another journalist—one less concerned with the risks.

Or maybe there was a way to anonymously leak what he had seen. As he pondered, his thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.

Daniel frowned. He wasn’t expecting anyone, especially not this late. He hesitated for a moment, then got up and cautiously approached the door. Peeking through the peephole, he saw no one. His frown deepened, but he opened the door slightly, looking out into the dimly lit street.

Nothing.

He shook his head, chalking it up to a prank or his imagination, and shut the door. The moment it clicked shut, his phone buzzed with a new message. He glanced down, expecting another spam text or notification, but what he saw made his blood run cold.

"You’re in over your head, Daniel. Stop now."

No name, no number, just the chilling message. Daniel stared at the screen, his pulse quickening. Someone knew. Someone was watching him, and they didn’t want him to dig any further.

His hands trembled as he locked his phone, stuffing it into his pocket. He felt the walls closing in around him, his earlier bravado fading into fear. The reality of his situation hit him like a freight train. He wasn’t the one in control; he was the pawn in a much larger, more dangerous game.

Upstairs, James quietly opened his door, hearing the creak of the floorboards below. He could sense something was wrong, the atmosphere heavy with tension. His father’s earlier anger had scared him, but now he was worried.

He tiptoed down the stairs, peeking around the corner to see Daniel standing in the middle of the room, looking lost.

"Dad?" James’s voice was small, hesitant.

Daniel jerked his head up, forcing a smile onto his face. "Hey, buddy. Shouldn’t you be in bed?"

James stepped closer, his eyes wide with concern. "I couldn’t sleep. Are you okay?"

Daniel knelt down, pulling James into a hug, holding him tightly as if the simple act could ground him. "I’m okay, James. Just...a lot on my mind."

James hugged him back, sensing his father’s distress but too young to understand the complexities. "You can tell me, you know."

Daniel chuckled softly, ruffling James’s hair. "I know, son. Let’s get you back to bed, alright?"

James nodded reluctantly, letting Daniel guide him back upstairs.

Once James was tucked in, Daniel sat on the edge of the bed, watching his son’s eyelids droop.

Despite his fear, he felt a fierce protectiveness rise within him. No matter what happened, he had to shield James from the danger looming over them.

As James drifted off, Daniel quietly left the room, his mind set on one thing: he needed to find a way out of this mess. And fast.

The next morning, Daniel woke up feeling slightly more composed. He brushed off the eerie message from the previous night as a scare tactic, deciding not to overthink it.

He had more pressing matters to address, like finding another way to expose the judge and his connections.

His mind was racing with ideas as he got ready for the day, determined to continue his mission despite the warnings.

However, as he sipped his coffee and scrolled through the morning news, his stomach dropped. There it was, plastered on the local news site: "Businessman Daniel Ross Involved in Reporter Bribery Scandal."

The headline was like a punch to the gut. He quickly clicked on the article, his eyes scanning the text in a mix of disbelief and fury.

The piece detailed his secret meeting with the reporter, claiming that he had attempted to bribe the journalist to investigate the judge.

The article even suggested that Daniel’s motives were questionable, painting him as a man desperate to manipulate the legal system for personal gain.

Daniel’s hands shook as he slammed his mug onto the counter, spilling coffee across the surface.

"How did this get out?" he muttered, pacing the kitchen. The story was already spreading, and it wouldn’t be long before everyone he knew heard about it.

His phone buzzed relentlessly on the counter—calls, texts, emails, all likely from curious or concerned acquaintances.

He grabbed his phone, scrolling through the messages. Friends and colleagues were asking for explanations, some in shock, others already condemning him based on the article. The public fallout was beginning, and Daniel knew that his reputation was hanging by a thread.

James wandered into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. "Dad, what’s wrong?" he asked, noticing the spilled coffee and his father’s pale face.

Daniel forced a smile, kneeling to hug James. "Nothing, buddy. Just some adult stuff I need to take care of."

James tilted his head, sensing the tension. "Is it about what happened yesterday?"

Daniel hesitated but then nodded. "Sort of. But it’s going to be okay."

James didn’t look convinced, but he trusted his father. "Okay. Do you need my help?"

Daniel’s heart ached at the innocent offer. "No, champ. You just focus on being a kid. I’ll handle this."

James nodded, though he still looked worried. Daniel sent him off to get ready for school, then returned to his phone, pondering his next move.

The leak was unexpected, and it was clear someone was working against him. He needed to find out who and why before the situation spiraled further out of control.

As he dialed a few trusted contacts, Daniel vowed to get to the bottom of the scandal, no matter the cost.

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