Daniel Whitmore found Anna the next afternoon.

She was sitting alone in a small café.

He approached carefully.

“May I sit?”

Anna looked up.

“You followed me?”

“No.”

She immediately stood.

“I should go.”

“Anna, wait.”

She hesitated.

Daniel placed a folder on the table.

“I investigated your father.”

Anna's expression changed.

“How much do you know?”

“Enough to know that he wasn't stealing money.”

Anna stared at him.

“Everyone said he was.”

“I know.”

“My father lost everything because of that accusation.”

Daniel nodded.

“And I think he was framed.”

Anna sat down again.

Daniel lowered his voice.

“I saw what happened at the gala.”

Anna looked away.

“Forget it.”

“I can't.”

“Why?”

“Because I think Victoria knew who you were.”

Anna's eyes widened.

“She recognized me?”

“I believe so.”

Daniel opened the folder.

“There are records showing that your father's investigation threatened the Blackwood family.”

Anna whispered,

“Then why would Victoria attack me publicly?”

“To intimidate you.”

Anna looked at him.

“You think she knows about the USB?”

“I don't know.”

Before they could continue, Anna noticed a man standing outside the café.

He was watching them.

Daniel followed her gaze.

“Do you know him?”

“No.”

Daniel stood.

“Stay here.”

The man disappeared around the corner.

Daniel followed.

But when he reached the street, the man was gone.

That evening, Daniel made a decision.

He would protect Anna.

Not because he felt sorry for her.

Because he believed her.

He also discovered something else.

Victoria had recently purchased a large amount of Anna's former employer's debt.

It meant she could potentially force Anna's family out of their apartment.

Daniel confronted Victoria.

“What are you doing?”

Victoria smiled.

“Taking care of business.”

“You bought Anna's debt.”

“So?”

“Why?”

Victoria stepped closer.

“You seem unusually interested in that waitress.”

“She's a person.”

Victoria laughed.

“You're becoming sentimental.”

“No. I'm becoming suspicious.”

Her smile vanished.

“Be careful, Daniel.”

“Is that a threat?”

“It's advice.”

She walked away.

That night, Daniel received an anonymous email.

There was only one attachment.

A photograph of Anna's father.

The message underneath read:

“Ask yourself why he died.”

Daniel stared at the photograph.

Then he noticed something in the background.

A hotel.

A date.

And a room number.

Daniel immediately recognized the place.

It was the same hotel where his own father had attended a private business meeting three years earlier.