THE MAN THEY SENT TO PRISON

Chapter 3 — A Family in Ruins

Daniel stood outside his family's house, staring at the place he had once called home. For seven years, he had pictured this moment. He had imagined his mother opening the door with tears in her eyes. He had imagined his father standing proudly behind her, telling him that everything would be fine.

But his mother was gone. His father was sick. And the woman he had once loved had become a stranger.

Daniel looked at Emma. "Take me to Dad."

Emma nodded. They walked upstairs in silence.

Daniel entered his father's room again. His father was still lying on the bed, but he looked weaker than before. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was slow.

Daniel pulled a chair beside the bed and sat down. For a few seconds, he simply watched him.

"Dad."

His father's eyes slowly opened. He looked at Daniel. "You came back."

"Yes."

His father tried to smile. "I knew you would."

Daniel reached for his hand. "I'm sorry I wasn't here."

His father's fingers moved slightly. "You had no choice."

Daniel looked away. He didn't want his father to see the anger in his eyes. For years, he had blamed himself for not protecting his family. Now that he was finally home, he could see how much had changed.

"What happened to us?"

His father didn't answer.

Daniel looked at Emma. "How did we lose everything?"

Emma lowered her eyes. "We didn't lose everything at once."

"Then tell me."

She pulled a chair closer. "After you went to prison, Dad tried to keep the company running."

Daniel listened.

"At first, things were fine. We still had contracts. We still had employees. The company was making money."

"What happened?"

"Our biggest client suddenly canceled their contract."

"Why?"

"We never found out."

Daniel frowned. "Then what?"

"Two other clients left within the next few months."

"That doesn't happen without a reason."

"I know."

Emma's voice became quiet. "Then the bank stopped renewing Dad's credit."

Daniel looked toward his father. "Why?"

"He had missed some payments."

Daniel frowned. "My father never missed payments."

Emma nodded. "That's what he said."

Daniel leaned back. "What did the bank say?"

"They said the company had become too risky."

Daniel looked around the room. His father had spent thirty years building that company. It had employed hundreds of people. It had paid for their house. It had given their family a comfortable life. How could everything disappear so quickly?

"Did Dad sell anything?"

Emma hesitated. "Some things."

"Like what?"

"The second warehouse."

Daniel stared at her. "The warehouse near the highway?"

"Yes."

"That property alone was worth a lot."

"Dad had no choice."

"How much did he sell it for?"

Emma looked uncomfortable. "Less than half its value."

Daniel's expression hardened. "Who bought it?"

"I don't know."

"Emma."

"I'm telling you the truth."

Daniel stood. He walked toward the window. From upstairs, he could see part of the neighborhood. The house looked different. The garden had become overgrown. The gate needed painting. Several windows were cracked. Even the car his father used to drive was gone.

"Where is Dad's car?"

"We sold it."

Daniel turned. "Why?"

"Medical bills."

Daniel closed his eyes. He hadn't realized how bad things were.

"How much debt do we have?"

Emma looked down. "I don't know the exact amount."

"Give me an estimate."

She remained silent.

"Emma."

"Almost two hundred million."

Daniel stared at her. "What?"

"Almost two hundred million."

He slowly sat down. Two hundred million. The number seemed impossible.

"How?"

"Loans. Medical bills. Business debts. Interest."

Daniel rubbed his forehead. "How much money do we have?"

Emma gave a bitter laugh. "Money?" She looked around the room. "Daniel, we don't have money."

"We have the house."

"The bank has a claim on it."

Daniel looked at her. "What about the company?"

"Most of it is gone."

"Most?"

"The remaining part is barely operating."

Daniel's jaw tightened. "How many employees?"

"Thirty-two."

"Thirty-two?"

"There used to be more than three hundred."

Daniel looked down. Three hundred people had once depended on his family. Now only thirty-two remained.

"Where is the company?"

"Still in the old building."

"I want to see it."

Emma looked surprised. "Today?"

"Yes."

"You just came out of prison."

"I know."

"You should rest."

"I've rested for seven years."

Emma didn't answer.

Daniel stood. "Let's go."

The family company was less than thirty minutes away. Daniel remembered the building clearly. When he was younger, his father used to bring him there on weekends. The building had once looked impressive. There had been a large sign above the entrance. Employees would greet his father as he walked through the doors.

Now the sign was faded. Several windows were broken. The parking lot was almost empty.

Daniel stood outside the building. He didn't say anything.

Emma watched him. "I told you."

Daniel nodded. "You did."

They entered. The reception area was quiet. An old receptionist looked up. Her eyes widened. She stood immediately.

"Daniel?"

Daniel looked at her. "Mrs. Rose?"

The elderly woman smiled through tears. "I can't believe it." She walked around the desk and hugged him.

Daniel was surprised.

"Welcome home."

"Thank you."

She stepped back and looked at him. "You look different."

"Seven years."

She nodded. "Yes."

Daniel looked around. "Where is everyone?"

"Most of them left."

"Why?"

She sighed. "Your father couldn't pay salaries for months."

Daniel's chest tightened. "My father didn't tell me."

"He didn't want you worrying."

Daniel looked toward the hallway. "Who is managing the company?"

"Mr. Blake."

Daniel frowned. "Blake?"

"Your father's old financial manager."

Daniel remembered him. A quiet man who had worked with his father for years.

"Is he here?"

Mrs. Rose shook her head. "He stopped coming regularly."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

Daniel looked at Emma. "Where is his office?"

She pointed down the hallway. Daniel walked there. The door was locked. He tried the handle. Nothing. He knocked. No response.

"He's not here," Emma said.

Daniel looked at the door. A small nameplate was attached to it. Jonathan Blake — Financial Director.

Daniel remembered his father trusting this man. He had been around their family for years.

Daniel turned away. As they walked back toward reception, he noticed something on the wall. A framed photograph of the company from years ago. His father stood in the center. Daniel was standing beside him. Everyone looked happy.

Daniel stared at the picture. Then he noticed something. Several names had been removed from the employee board below it. He moved closer.

"What happened here?"

Mrs. Rose looked at the board. "People resigned."

"All of them?"

"Most."

"Why?"

She hesitated. "Some were offered jobs by competitors."

Daniel looked at her. "Which competitors?"

Mrs. Rose didn't answer.

"Mrs. Rose."

She sighed. "There was a company that kept approaching our employees."

"Which company?"

Before she could answer, a man's voice came from behind them.

"Why are you asking questions about things that happened seven years ago?"

Daniel turned. A middle-aged man stood near the entrance. He wore an expensive suit and carried a leather briefcase. Daniel didn't recognize him.

The man looked at Daniel carefully. Then his expression changed. "So you're finally back."

Daniel stared at him. "Do I know you?"

The man smiled. "Not personally."

"Then how do you know me?"

The man adjusted his jacket. "Everyone knows what happened to your family."

Daniel's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

"Victor Hale."

He extended his hand. Daniel looked at it but didn't take it.

Victor slowly lowered his hand. "I represent one of the companies interested in purchasing what's left of this business."

Daniel looked at Emma. "Purchasing?"

Victor smiled. "Your family has debts."

"We're aware."

"And your company is barely surviving."

"We're also aware."

"Then you should understand that selling is the sensible choice."

Daniel stepped closer. "How much?"

Victor named a figure.

Daniel almost laughed. "That's not even close to the value of this company."

Victor's smile disappeared. "Value is meaningless when you can't pay your debts."

Daniel looked him directly in the eyes. "Who told you we were selling?"

Victor paused. "Your sister."

Daniel turned toward Emma. She quickly shook her head. "I didn't."

Victor's face changed. "I may have misunderstood."

"Clearly."

Victor looked at Daniel for a few seconds. Then he smiled again. "You've been away for a long time."

"I know."

"Things have changed."

Daniel nodded. "They have."

Victor walked toward the door. Before leaving, he stopped. "One piece of advice."

Daniel waited.

"Don't waste your time trying to save a company that is already dead."

Then he walked away.

Daniel watched him leave. Something about the man's confidence bothered him. He turned to Emma. "How long has he been coming here?"

"Several months."

"What does he want?"

"The company."

Daniel looked at the empty offices. Then at the broken windows. Then at the old company sign outside. Someone was clearly interested in buying what remained. But why? If the company was truly worthless, why were they trying so hard to acquire it?

Daniel had spent seven years behind bars. He didn't know everything that had happened. But he knew one thing. People didn't spend months fighting over something worthless.

"Emma."

"Yes?"

"Don't sell anything."

She stared at him. "We don't have a choice."

"We do."

"With what money?"

Daniel looked at the company around him. "I'll find a way."

Emma almost smiled. "Daniel, you just came out of prison."

"I know."

"You don't have a job."

"I know."

"You don't have money."

"I know."

"Then how are you going to save this company?"

Daniel looked at her. For the first time, there was determination in his eyes. "I don't know yet." He walked toward the exit. "But I'll find out."

That evening, Daniel sat alone in his father's office. The room smelled of old paper and dust. He opened one drawer after another. Most were empty. Some contained old receipts. Others held expired contracts.

Then he found a folder. It was labeled with the year he had gone to prison. Daniel opened it. Inside were several financial statements. He began reading. His expression slowly changed. There were payments he didn't recognize. Large payments. Millions had been transferred out of the company shortly before his arrest.

Daniel looked at the dates. Then he looked again. The money had been moved only weeks before he was accused of stealing.

He turned another page. A second account appeared. Then another. Daniel's breathing became slower. Someone had moved millions of company money before his arrest. And somehow, the transactions had been connected to him.

He closed the folder. For seven years, he had believed he had simply been unlucky. Now he wasn't so sure.

Daniel looked toward the dark window. His family hadn't just become poor. Something had happened. Something he hadn't been told about.

His phone suddenly rang. He looked at the screen. It was a number he didn't recognize. He answered.

"Hello?"

Nobody spoke.

Then a man's voice said quietly, "Mr. Carter, if you truly want to save your family..."

Daniel sat up.

"...you need to find out who destroyed it."

The call ended.

Daniel stared at the phone. Outside, the wind moved through the trees. For the first time since leaving prison, he felt certain of one thing. His family's downfall had not been an accident. Someone had planned it. And Daniel had just begun to uncover the first piece.