Daniel’s Choice
Chapter 10 - Daniel’s Choice
Daniel Brooks expected to lose his job.
He had raised the tablet without permission. He had exposed the chairman’s son in front of donors. Security staff were supposed to prevent incidents, not become moral witnesses. He knew how wealthy families handled inconvenient employees: gratitude in public, termination by email.
Still, he did not regret it.
Not when Ivy finally stopped shaking enough to breathe.
Not when Grace looked at him once across the ballroom and gave a tiny nod.
Charles approached after Grace carried Ivy toward the side exit.
Daniel straightened. “Sir.”
“Who else has the footage?” Charles asked.
Daniel measured the question carefully.
“The security office has the original file. Backup storage retains a copy. I have not sent it anywhere.”
Preston, standing nearby under his father’s order not to leave, snapped, “Delete it.”
Charles did not look at him.
“No.”
Daniel blinked.
Charles held out one hand for the tablet.
Daniel hesitated.
Charles noticed. “You think I’ll destroy it.”
“I think families protect themselves.”
The honesty surprised the guests close enough to hear.
Charles looked older.
“So did I,” he said.
Daniel handed him the tablet.
Charles held it carefully, screen angled down so no readable interface showed.
“This footage will be preserved,” Charles said. “And you will not be punished for telling the truth.”
Daniel nodded once.
He wanted to believe it.
He also knew belief was cheaper than severance.
Charles understood the skepticism.
“Put that in writing before you leave tonight,” Daniel said quietly.
A few guests gasped at the boldness.
Charles almost smiled.
“Good,” he said. “Someone in this room still understands documentation.”
May you like
For the first time all evening, tension cracked into something almost human.
Preston hated that most of all.
