My Formidable Husband novel Chapter 46

Chapter 46 You Forced My Hand
Daniel’s repentance for offending the chairman was insincere. He was confident that admitting his mistake with a dash of feigned contrition would be enough to deceive Christopher.
After all, he’s just a recently retired military man.
Daniel’s heart swelled with pride at his acting skills.
It is a staple for men like myself in the business world. I should win an Oscar for the performance I delivered!
Christopher sneered. “I wouldn’t even look at you if that was indeed the only mistake you made. Do you think yourself slick for having received the bribe of three million from the Cordringtons under my nose?”
Right on cue, Amanda produced Daniel’s bank statements. Three million, evidence of his corruption, was clearly shown to be credited into his account.
Daniel panicked at the overwhelming odds stacked against him. Confronted by Christopher’s accusations and his own bank statements, he never expected to be so thoroughly investigated only after two days of receiving the Cordrington family’s remittance.
“I-I made a mistake, Boss,” he choked out. “I was blinded by temptation and was wrong to have accepted those bribes. Please give me a chance to prove my loyalty. I’ll return the money to the Cordringtons at once. It was all Jared’s fault!”
Daniel was no longer acting. Falling to his knees with a thud, he crawled over to grab Christopher’s legs.
Accepting three million in bribes was enough for one to be sentenced to at least ten years in prison. Daniel felt a red-hot hatred toward Jared at that moment for instigating his impertinence toward his employer.
Besides, it was beyond his wildest expectations for a veteran to assume the mantle of chairman of Centurion Corporation.
“Let’s deal with him by the book, Ms. Clark. Look into his prior statements while you’re at it. I don’t think the three million is his first instance of corruption; he must have taken much more. Also, run a thorough investigation for any illegal activity condoned or executed under his name over the past few years.”
Christopher did not consider dealing with Daniel gently. It would be foolhardy to give such a treacherous person a second chance.
Daniel seemed to crumble before their eyes at Christopher’s systematic plan to uncover his past misdeeds. Throughout his long tenure in Centurion Corporation, he had amassed tens of millions aside from the three million from the Cordringtons. I would be imprisoned for life if everything came to light!
The bank statements were not the only things that could incriminate him. Two years ago, he sexually assaulted a female colleague on company premises and had only managed to keep it quiet with a settlement offer. Word of that getting out would ruin Daniel.
He stood up jerkily. “Watch yourself, Mr. Yaeger,” he warned Christopher. “Despite my transgressions, I have been a loyal and dedicated employee of Centurion Corporation. You can’t treat me like this!”
“Is that so?” Christopher snorted grimly. “How would you like me to deal with you, then? Was I the one who forced you to accept those bribes?”
“What do you mean, Mr. Yaeger?” Daniel demanded. “Aren’t you going to forgive me?”
“Is that a threat?” Christopher raised his voice.
“Yes, it is. You forced my hand!”
In a flash, Daniel grabbed the fruit knife on the table and lunged toward Amanda.
Holding Amanda hostage was his last, desperate plan. Daniel conceded that Christopher was a veteran who he might not be able to subdue, but Amanda was a weak woman who he could. With her as leverage, he could force Christopher to release him and give in to however much he asked for, as he knew Christopher would not watch her die.
Amanda’s face paled with fright at the sight of Daniel advancing with a fruit knife. She trembled in resignation to her fate.
The blow she awaited never came as Christopher intercepted Daniel’s path as noiselessly and suddenly as a specter. By the time Daniel realized it, Christopher had already caught his wrist holding the dagger.
With his other hand, Christopher grabbed Daniel’s neck and lifted him into the air.
Even elite mercenaries would never dream of committing murder before the General.
“Do you really want to threaten me like that?”