Chapter 7 - The Voice of the Innocent
The press conference had the exact effect Everett wanted. It forced the enemy to move.
But it also brought the storm straight to his door.
By 9:00 PM, the news was flooded with anonymous leaks about Everett's private life.
Articles appeared online questioning his mental stability.
They hinted at a secret investigation into his past, suggesting he was abusive behind closed doors.
It was a coordinated smear campaign, executed with terrifying speed.
Everett sat in his office at the penthouse, watching the headlines flash across his computer screen.
He didn't care about his reputation. He cared about the source.
"The leaks are coming from inside our own PR department," Marcus reported, walking into the office.
"Someone bypassed the standard protocols and sent the files directly to the media."
"Who had the access?" Everett asked, not looking up.
"Arthur Pendleton," Marcus said.
Everett froze.
Arthur Pendleton was the Chief Financial Officer of Vale Industries.
He was more than an employee; he was a man Everett had known for fifteen years.
Arthur had been there when Everett’s first wife died. He had held Poppy when she was a baby.
"Arthur?" Everett whispered, the betrayal cutting deeper than any threat Maribelle had made.
"Are you sure, Marcus?"
"The digital signature belongs to his office network," Marcus said, his voice heavy.
"And there's more. We traced the holding account Maribelle mentioned."
"It's co-owned by a shell corporation registered in the Cayman Islands."
"The primary beneficiary is Arthur Pendleton."
Everett stood up, his fists clenched so hard his nails cut into his palms.
The puzzle was finally complete.
Maribelle wasn't just a random grifter who found him.
She had been brought in by Arthur.
Arthur knew Everett was vulnerable after his wife's death.
He knew Everett wanted a mother for Poppy.
They had planned the whole thing to take over the company from the inside.
And when Poppy became an obstacle—or when they realized Everett wouldn't give up control easily—they decided to eliminate her.
Suddenly, a small voice broke the silence of the room.
"Daddy?"
Everett turned around quickly.
Poppy was standing at the doorway of the office, holding her damp bear.
Her cheeks were wet with tears, but her eyes were clear.
Everett dropped to his knees, his heart leaping into his throat.
"Poppy," he breathed, reaching out his arms.
The little girl ran to him, throwing her small arms around his neck.
She sobbed against his shoulder, her tiny body shaking.
"I'm sorry, Daddy," she cried, her voice small and broken.
"I'm sorry I dropped the bear."
"No, no, baby, it's not your fault," Everett said, holding her as tight as he could.
"You did nothing wrong. Daddy's here. You're safe."
Poppy pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes.
"The lady in the red dress," Poppy whispered, her lip trembling.
"She told me a secret before she pushed me."
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Everett felt his breath hitch. "What did she say, sweetheart?"
"She said... Uncle Arthur said it's time for me to go to heaven to see Mommy."
