CHAPTER TWELVE- Secrets, Sacrifices, and Strategic Moves
Daniel and Katherine reached Mr. Johnson's mansion to find him in a critical condition.
"Dad, what happened? Why are you in this state?" Daniel exclaimed.
"You're an ungrateful son! How could you leave without a call?" Mrs. Gwen said it angrily.
"He was never a true Johnson. I don't know how he infiltrated our family," Jerry added, charging at Daniel.
"Is this what the boss always goes through?" Katherine mumbled to herself, feeling concerned.
Used to such treatment, Daniel focused on his dad, who was in a coma and receiving treatment at home.
"How about moving him to the hospital for better care? His health is deteriorating," Daniel suggested, looking worried.
"Your dad chose to be treated at home, and I won't go against his wishes," Mrs. Gwen opposed, leaving with her children. After they left, Mr. Johnson gestured to close the door, and Daniel complied.
"Dad, are you awake?" Daniel asked, looking worried.
"My beloved son, I have committed a great sin against you and your mom; that's why I'm being punished," Mr. Johnson confessed, tears rolling down his eyes.
"Dad, how can you say that when I was the undutiful one?" Daniel cried out.
"Daniel, my son, I have something for you. Take this key and unlock my secret safe. I have a special gift for you there," Mr. Johnson said. "Visit my lawyer, Mr. Oliver, and pass the documents to him. Just tell him to carry on with the process. Also, check under the sofa in the sitting room; you will find a recording pen. Use it wisely," he conveyed, unable to speak normally but understood by Daniel.
"Okay, Dad. How about moving you to the hospital?" Daniel asked, looking worried.
"I chose home treatment; don't worry," Mr. Johnson lied. Spotting Katherine, he gestured toward her, and Daniel introduced her.
"Nice to meet you, sir! I'm Katherine, a personal guard and assistant to Mr. Daniel," Katherine introduced herself.
"You're gorgeous! Indeed, you're fit to be a personal guard," Mr. Johnson complimented.
"Dad, you still have time for a joke!" Daniel said, understanding his dad's intent. Mr. Johnson smiled.
"Dad, I'm going through hardship," Daniel said to himself, tears rolling down his eyes.
"My dear Daniel, it's really hard, but bear with it; you will surely overcome it," Mr. Johnson consoled his child. Tears rolled down their faces as they embraced.
"Forgive me, Dad. I should have listened to you; I shouldn't have left when you asked me to stay," Daniel cried in remorse. Katherine patted him on the back.
"It isn't your fault, dear. I was too far from you, and I failed to see what you've been going through. I'm to blame for the misfortune," Mr. Johnson regretted.
"Hurry up! I will be waiting for a sound victory," Mr. Johnson said.
Daniel and Katherine left. Mrs. Gwen was planning something else with her children.
"I have talked to the board directors regarding your dad's health; we can seize the chance to destroy both Daniel and his dad," Mrs. Gwen said, and they all chuckled.
"So, have you heard from them?" Jerry asked curiously.
"Not yet! I have another plan ahead; I will use Harry to murder Katherine, and Daniel will be the one to destroy Harry; then we'll destroy Daniel," Mrs. Gwen said, chuckling.
"Wow! Perfect plan, Mom, but how are you going to execute it?" Jerry asked.
"Don't worry; just keep watching; I will finish things up," Mrs. Gwen said, chuckling.
Daniel first went to the sitting room and checked under the sofa, finding the pen, which he kept in his pocket.
Daniel took Katherine to the secret garden, where Daniel and his dad used to play hide and seek.
"Wow! What a beautiful garden," D
Katherine said as she raised her skirt and turned around.
"This is where I and my dad used to play all kinds of games; it's a memory I can't forget." Daniel smiled.
"You're so cute whenever you smile," Katherine said as she blushed.
They both hugged each other and kissed.
"Will you go on a date with me tonight?" Daniel asked Katherine.
"Well, I will think about it," Katherine said, teasing Daniel.
"What! Do you still have to think about it? Even after kissing you?" Daniel asked, looking astonished.
"Kissing you doesn't mean I accept going on a date with you," Katherine said, playing hard to get.
"You're playing hard to get, huh!" Daniel said. They both laughed and played together for a while.
"I've heard so much about you from Harry. Dan, you're strong." Katherine said, caressing Daniel's hair.
"You know what, at times it's really good to go through tough times. Because you will have someone to caress your hair, hug you, pat you on your back, and whisper in your ear; "All is well." Daniel said jokingly.
"You still have time to joke!" Katherine said grinning at Daniel.
"Alright, am sorry," Daniel said laughing cutely at Katherine.
Daniel opened the secret file and found the documents.
"I can't believe he used my date of birth as a password to his safe. All this while, I thought he didn't love me," Daniel said, feeling sorry for his poor dad.
Daniel went through the documents and found out that 60% of his shares had been transferred to Daniel's 5%, bringing it up to 65%. Also, he found a document about Mrs. Gwen's Slush Fund, which could be used to get rid of her.
He also saw the list of maids serving as Mrs. Gwen's spy, the diary of the late maid, and a letter that stated, "I will use myself as a shield to help you get rid of your stepmom. Use the evidence wisely; once the maids are interrogated, you will get enough evidence against your stepmother."
"What does the document say?" Daniella asked.
"With all these, we can send my stepmom behind bars," Daniel said happily. "But I don't understand what my dad meant by 'I will use myself as a shield to get rid of your stepmom.'" Daniel said.
"Is that true? If so, that's good news, but I also feel uneasy about your dad's sacrifice." Katherine said, looking concerned
"With this evidence, she's done for, I will surely destroy her with both hands," Daniel said clenching his fist.
"Yeah! let's meet the lawyer first." Katherine suggested.
"Ok let's do that," Daniel said.
They both went out to meet with the lawyer.