Chereads / The dream I walk / Chapter 13 - Continuation of Daniel empire

Chapter 13 - Continuation of Daniel empire

After Daniel and Henry had put aside their initial awkwardness and were getting along, they were suddenly surprised to see Roselle, Daniel's sister, appear on national TV. She was being interviewed by a popular talk show host, and she looked radiant and confident.

Roselle announced to her fans that she would be taking a break from singing to focus on her pregnancy and motherhood. However, she reassured them that she would return to the music scene after giving birth.

Daniel, Henry, Sophia, and Lana were all watching the interview together, and they were all smiling and cheering Roselle on. But Daniel's curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to check out the public's reaction on social media.

He pulled out his phone and started scrolling through the comments on Roselle's official social media accounts. At first, he was surprised to see that not everyone was happy about Roselle's announcement.

Some fans were expressing disappointment and frustration that Roselle would be taking a break from music. They were worried that she would never return to the stage, and that her music career would be over.

But as Daniel continued to scroll through the comments, he saw that many fans were also being very supportive and understanding. They were congratulating Roselle on her pregnancy and wishing her all the best.

Daniel couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions as he read through the comments. He was happy to see that many fans were being supportive, but he was also worried about the negative reactions.

He looked up at Sophia, who was watching him with concern. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Daniel sighed. "It's just the comments on Roselle's social media. Some fans are not happy about her taking a break from music."

Sophia nodded understandingly. "I'm sure Roselle can handle it. She's a strong woman."

Daniel nodded in agreement. He knew that Roselle could handle the pressure, but he couldn't help but feel a little worried about her.A few days later, Daniel decided to visit one of his production companies, which specialized in the production of commercial goods. As he arrived at the factory, he was greeted by the manager, who looked worried and stressed.

"Daniel, thank you for coming," the manager said, shaking Daniel's hand. "We've been having some problems here, and I think you should know about them."

Daniel's curiosity was piqued, and he followed the manager into the factory. As they walked through the production floor, Daniel noticed that things seemed slower than usual. There were fewer workers on the floor, and the machines seemed to be idle.

"What's going on?" Daniel asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

The manager sighed. "To be honest, Daniel, we're not doing well. Sales have been down, and we're struggling to keep up with the demand. We've had to lay off some workers, and we're barely scraping by."

Daniel's eyes widened in surprise. He had no idea that the company was struggling so badly. He thought back to the financial reports he had received, but they hadn't indicated anything this severe.

"Why didn't I know about this?" Daniel asked, feeling a sense of frustration and disappointment.

The manager looked sheepish. "I'm sorry, Daniel. I should have told you sooner. But I was hoping that things would turn around, and we wouldn't have to bother you with it."

Daniel shook his head. "You should have told me. I'm the owner of this company. I need to know what's going on."

The manager nodded, looking relieved. "I'll make sure to keep you informed from now on, Daniel."

Daniel nodded, his mind already racing with ideas and solutions. He knew that he had to act fast to save the company. He spent the rest of the day meeting with the manager and other employees, trying to get to the bottom of the problem and come up with a plan to turn things around.Daniel Richard arrived at the production company, eager to cross-check their progress. As he walked into the building, he was surprised to see a familiar face - one of his high school classmates, Jae-Ho.

Jae-Ho looked different from the person Daniel remembered. He seemed more arrogant and confident, with a smirk on his face.

Daniel, trying to be friendly, approached Jae-Ho with a smile. "Hey, Jae-Ho! Long time no see! What brings you here?"

But Jae-Ho was too arrogant to listen to Daniel's greeting. He sneered at Daniel, his eyes scanning him from head to toe.

"What is a broke loser like you doing in an international production company?" Jae-Ho asked, his voice dripping with disdain. "Are you here to look for a job?"

Daniel's face froze, his body stiff with anger. He couldn't believe the nerve of his former classmate.

But before Jae-Ho could realize his mistake, Daniel's employees began to stir, their eyes fixed on the exchange between Daniel and Jae-Ho.

One of the employees, a young woman, stepped forward, her eyes flashing with indignation. "Excuse me, sir," she said, her voice firm. "But I think you should know that this is Daniel Richard, the CEO of this company."

Jae-Ho's smirk faltered, his eyes widening in shock as he realized his mistake.

Daniel's face remained calm, but his eyes flashed with anger. He turned to Jae-Ho, his voice icy. "Now, I think it's time for you to leave. You're not welcome here."

Jae-Ho's face turned bright red as he realized the gravity of his mistake. He turned and fled, leaving Daniel and his employees staring after him in shock.

Daniel took a deep breath, his anger slowly dissipating. He turned to his employees, a wry smile on his face.

"Well, I guess that was a blast from the past. But let's get back to work, shall we?"As Daniel and Sophia exchanged their vows and sealed their love with a kiss, they both knew that their union was not just a bond between two people, but also a merging of their lives, families, and businesses.

After the wedding, Sophia sat down with Daniel and handed him a folder filled with documents. "What's this?" Daniel asked, curiosity etched on his face.

Sophia smiled. "It's the deed to all the properties I inherited from Do-Yun. I want you to have full control over them, to do with them as you see fit."

Daniel's eyes widened in surprise. "Sophia, I don't know what to say. This is a huge responsibility."

Sophia's expression turned serious. "I know it is, but I trust you completely. You're my husband, my partner, and my best friend. I know you'll make wise decisions and use these resources to build a better future for our family and our community."

Daniel's heart swelled with emotion as he looked at Sophia. He felt grateful for her trust and confidence in him. He took a deep breath, nodded, and accepted the documents.

With Sophia's properties under his control, Daniel's business empire expanded exponentially. He used the resources to invest in new ventures, create jobs, and support local communities.

As Daniel's success grew, so did his reputation as a shrewd and visionary businessman. People began to look up to him as a leader and a role model.

But Daniel never forgot where he came from and the people who had helped him along the way. He remained humble and grounded, always mindful of the responsibility that came with his wealth and power.

And through it all, Sophia stood by his side, supporting and encouraging him every step of the way. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and purpose.After taking a break from music for a while, Roselle decided to visit her mother, Lana. As she arrived at her mother's mansion, she was surprised to see a man and a little girl she had never met before.

Roselle's eyes narrowed as she looked at the man, her mind racing with questions. Who was this person, and why was he living in her mother's house?

The man, Henry, seemed to sense Roselle's unease and took a step forward. "Hello, Roselle. I'm Henry, and this is my daughter, Emma."

But before Henry could continue, Roselle cut him off. "What is going on here?" she asked, her voice firm but controlled. "Why are you living in my mother's house?"

Lana, who had been watching the exchange, stepped forward to intervene. "Roselle, sweetie, let me explain..."

But Roselle wasn't having it. "No, Mother, I want to know what's going on. Who is this man, and why is he living here with his daughter?"

Lana took a deep breath and placed a gentle hand on Roselle's arm. "Roselle, Henry and I... we're in a relationship. We've been seeing each other for a while now, and he and Emma have been living with me for a few months."

Roselle's eyes widened in shock as she looked at her mother. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her mother, in a relationship with this man? It was too much to take in.

But as she looked at Henry and Emma, she saw the way they looked at her mother, with love and adoration in their eyes. And she saw the way her mother looked at them, with a happiness and contentment she had never seen before.

Roselle's expression softened, and she took a step forward. "I... I had no idea, Mother," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lana smiled and opened her arms, and Roselle walked into them, hugging her mother tightly. "It's okay, sweetie," Lana said. "I know this is a lot to take in, but I'm happy, and that's all that matters."

As they hugged, Henry and Emma looked on, smiling. They knew it wouldn't be easy for Roselle to accept their presence in her mother's life, but they were willing to give it time. And as they watched Roselle and Lana hug, they knew that they were one step closer to becoming a family.Finally, Roselle had accepted Henry and his daughter, Emma, into the family. She had come to visit her mother, Lana, with her pregnancy to take her mother's blessing. This was Roselle's first pregnancy, and she was a little bit afraid, so she wanted to make sure she had her mother's support.

As the day went on, Roselle noticed that Emma seemed to be fascinated by her music. Emma would often hum along to Roselle's songs, and even try to sing along. Roselle was delighted to see that her music had made a connection with her new little sister.

"Hey, Emma, do you want to hear me sing?" Roselle asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Emma's eyes widened with excitement. "Yes, please!" she squealed.

Roselle grinned and took Emma's hand. "Okay, let's go to my old room. I'll sing just for you."

As they walked to Roselle's old room, Emma chattered excitedly about Roselle's music. Roselle laughed and smiled, feeling happy to share her passion with her new little sister.

When they reached the room, Roselle sat down on the bed and began to sing. Her voice was like honey, sweet and smooth, and Emma's eyes grew wide with wonder.

Roselle sang song after song, each one more beautiful than the last. Emma listened, entranced, her eyes shining with delight.

As the singing came to an end, Emma applauded wildly, her face flushed with excitement. "Bravo, Roselle!" she squealed. "You're the best singer in the whole world!"

Roselle laughed and hugged Emma tightly. "Thank you, Emma. You're the best little sister a girl could ask for."

As they hugged, Lana and Henry looked on, smiling. They knew that Roselle and Emma were going to get along just fine.As Roselle and Emma continued to bond, Emma stood facing Roselle with a cute expression, saying "Big sis, I want to sing music like you!"

Roselle was surprised to hear Emma's sweet and beautiful voice, as all this time Emma hadn't spoken a word, she was just reacting to the songs. Roselle's heart melted at the sight of Emma's innocent and eager face.

"Aww, Emma, you want to sing like me?" Roselle asked, kneeling down to Emma's level.

Emma nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining with excitement. "Yes, big sis! I want to sing like you!"

Roselle smiled, feeling a surge of love and affection for her little sister. "Well, Emma, I think you have a beautiful voice! Would you like to sing a song with me?"

Emma's face lit up, and she nodded eagerly. Roselle took Emma's hand, and together they sang a sweet and harmonious duet. Their voices blended together perfectly, creating a beautiful sound that filled the room.

As they sang, Roselle couldn't help but think that she would love to have a baby girl just like Emma one day. She imagined herself holding a cute, beautiful, and sweet baby girl in her arms, and the thought filled her with joy and happiness.

After they finished singing, Roselle hugged Emma tightly. "You're an amazing singer, Emma! I'm so proud of you!"

Emma beamed with pride, and Roselle knew that she had found a special bond with her little sister.Roselle took Emma's hand, and they continued their walk, enjoying the warm sun on their faces. As they strolled, Roselle couldn't help but feel grateful for the bond she was forming with her little sister. She had always wanted a sibling, and now she had Emma.

But as they turned a corner, Roselle's world was turned upside down. Four men, dressed in black, suddenly appeared out of nowhere and snatched Emma from Roselle's side. Roselle tried to hold on, but they were too strong. They dragged Emma to a waiting car, and before Roselle could even react, they sped away, leaving her standing alone on the sidewalk.

Roselle was in shock, her mind racing with fear and panic. She didn't know what to do, and her pregnancy only added to her anxiety. She felt like she was going to collapse.

She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. She knew she had to get back home and tell Henry and her mother, Lana, what had happened. She started walking, her legs shaking beneath her.

As she walked, she couldn't help but think about Emma. She was so young, so innocent. What did those men want with her? Were they going to hurt her?

Roselle's heart was racing with fear, and she couldn't wait to get home and tell Henry and Lana what had happened. She knew they would be devastated, especially Henry. Emma was his only daughter, and he loved her more than anything in the world.

As she walked through the front door, Roselle saw Henry and Lana sitting in the living room. They looked up at her, concerned, and Roselle knew she had to tell them the truth.

"Henry, Mom, it's Emma," Roselle said, her voice shaking. "She's been kidnapped."

Henry's face turned white, and he leapt to his feet. "What? Oh no, no, no!" he cried, his voice shaking with emotion.

Lana rushed to Roselle's side, trying to comfort her. "Roselle, darling, what happened?"

But Henry was beyond consolation. He paced back and forth across the room, his eyes wild with worry. "My baby, my little Emma! Who could have taken her?"

Roselle felt a pang of guilt and regret. She should have been more careful, more vigilant. She should have protected Emma.

As Henry continued to cry, Roselle knew that she had to be strong for him, for Lana, and for Emma. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, and wrapped her arms around Henry.

"We'll find her, Henry," Roselle said, trying to sound confident. "We'll do everything we can to bring Emma home safely."

But as they stood there, frozen in shock and fear, Roselle knew that it wouldn't be easy. They had to act fast, to find Emma before it was too late.When the news of Emma's kidnapping reached Daniel, his body reacted on its own. He stood up, his mind racing with worry and anger. He couldn't believe that his little sister had been taken.

Without thinking, Daniel grabbed his car keys and headed out the door. He jumped into his black Ferrari and sped off towards his mother's mansion.

As he drove, Daniel's mind was filled with thoughts of Emma. He couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to her. He had to find her, no matter what it took.

When Daniel arrived at his mother's mansion, he was greeted by a sea of police cars. There were six cars in total, with officers swarming around the property.

Daniel's bodyguards, who had followed him in a separate car, jumped out and surrounded him as he stepped out of the Ferrari.

"What's going on?" Daniel asked one of the officers, his voice firm and commanding.

"Mr. Richard, we're doing everything we can to find Emma," the officer replied. "Your father, Henry, has a lot of connections from his time in the military. We're working with his contacts to track down any leads."

Daniel nodded, his eyes scanning the scene. He saw his mother, Lana, standing on the porch, looking worried and scared. He also saw Henry, his face etched with pain and anger.

Daniel's heart went out to his family. He knew they were all suffering, and he was determined to do everything in his power to find Emma and bring her home safely.

With a newfound sense of determination, Daniel strode towards the house, his bodyguards following close behind. He was ready to take charge and do whatever it took to find his little sister.As the years went by, the case of Emma's kidnapping remained unsolved. Despite the efforts of the police and the family, no one was able to find any leads or clues that could bring Emma home.

As the years turned into decades, the family began to lose hope. Henry and Lana, who had been devastated by the loss of their daughter, slowly began to move on with their lives. They never forgot about Emma, but they learned to live with the pain of her loss.

Roselle, who had been like a big sister to Emma, also moved on with her life. She got married and had four beautiful children, two girls and two boys. The firstborn was a beautiful girl, and Roselle and her husband decided to name her Emma, in honor of the little girl who had been taken from them so many years ago.

As Emma grew up, she was always aware of the story of the other Emma, the one who had been kidnapped so many years ago. She felt a deep connection to the little girl who had shared her name, and she often wondered what had happened to her.

Despite the sadness of the story, Emma grew up to be a happy and confident young woman. She had a loving family and a bright future ahead of her, and she knew that she would always carry the memory of the other Emma with her.

As for Henry and Lana, they were grateful to have Roselle and her family in their lives. They loved their grandchildren dearly, and they were grateful to have a new generation of loved ones to care for.

But even as they moved on with their lives, they never forgot about the little girl who had been taken from them. They always held out hope that one day, they would find out what had happened to Emma, and that they would be reunited with their beloved daughter.After one more year, making it 19 years since Emma's kidnapping, the family had still not found any leads or clues about her whereabouts. The case had gone cold, and the family had all but given up hope of ever finding her.

Meanwhile, Daniel, who was now a successful businessman, had been busy with his various ventures. One day, he decided to take one of his daughters to tell his wife Sophia that he would be going on a business trip to check on some of his companies overseas.

"Hey, sweetie, I have to go on a business trip," Daniel said to Sophia, as their daughter looked on. "I'll be gone for a few days, but I'll be back before you know it."

Sophia smiled and nodded. "Okay, dear. Be careful and don't work too hard."

Daniel smiled back and hugged his wife and daughter. "I will, I promise. I love you both."

With that, Daniel left for his journey, flying to Canada to visit one of his companies. He arrived at his hotel, a luxurious suite with a stunning view of the city.

As he settled into his room, Daniel couldn't help but think about Emma and how much time had passed since her kidnapping. He wondered if he would ever find out what had happened to her, and if she was still alive.

Despite the doubts and fears that crept into his mind, Daniel pushed them aside and focused on his work. He had a lot to accomplish on this trip, and he was determined to make the most of it. Little did he know, this trip would lead him to a discovery that would change everything.As Daniel walked through the streets of Canada, he couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom. He had been cooped up in meetings and conference rooms for days, and it was nice to finally get out and stretch his legs.

As he turned a corner, he noticed a young woman sitting on a bench, staring out at the street. She was beautiful, with long, curly brown hair and piercing green eyes. Daniel felt a sudden jolt of attraction, but he quickly pushed the thought aside. He was a married man, after all.

Despite his initial hesitation, Daniel found himself drawn to the woman. He walked over to the bench and sat down beside her.

"Hi," he said, trying to sound friendly and non-threatening. "My name is Daniel. What's yours?"

The woman looked up at him, a hint of wariness in her eyes. "I'm not interested in talking to you," she said bluntly.

Daniel was taken aback, but he didn't give up. "I'm not trying to bother you," he said. "I just thought it would be nice to get to know you. You look like someone with a interesting story to tell."

The woman raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. But Daniel could see a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes.

"Fine," she said finally. "My name is Emma."

Daniel's heart skipped a beat as he heard the name. Emma. It was a coincidence, of course. But still, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this chance encounter.As soon as the young girl introduced herself as Emma, Daniel's face lit up with surprise. "What a sweet name!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with curiosity. "Who gave you the name?"

The young girl, Emma, looked at Daniel with a hint of wariness, as if she wasn't sure if she should reveal more about herself. But then, something seemed to shift in her expression, and she leaned in slightly, her voice taking on a more introspective tone.

"I don't really know," she said, her eyes clouding over with a mixture of sadness and confusion. "I've always just known my name was Emma. But...I don't really remember much about my past. It's all kind of...foggy."

Daniel's ears perked up at this, his mind racing with possibilities. A young girl with no memory of her past, bearing the same name as his long-lost sister? It was too much of a coincidence to ignore.

"Tell me more," Daniel urged, his voice gentle but insistent. "What do you mean by 'foggy'? Do you remember anything at all about your life before...now?"

Emma hesitated, her eyes darting back and forth as if she was searching for something just out of reach. And then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she began to speak...Emma looked down, her eyes welling up with tears. "I don't want to talk about my past," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just too...too bad."

Daniel's heart went out to her. He could see the pain and sadness in her eyes, and he knew that she was carrying a heavy burden.

"Okay, Emma," he said gently. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. But I want to tell you a story. It's about something that happened 19 years ago."

Emma looked up at him curiously, and Daniel took a deep breath before launching into the story.

"It's about my little sister, Emma," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "She was kidnapped 19 years ago, and we've been searching for her ever since. We've looked everywhere, talked to everyone, but we've never found her."

As Daniel spoke, he felt the emotions rising up inside him. He had never talked about Emma's kidnapping with anyone outside of his family before, and it was like opening up an old wound.

At first, Daniel was able to hold back his tears, but as he continued to talk, he felt the dam breaking. He began to cry, great sobs racking his body.

Emma was shocked, but she quickly got up and hugged Daniel tightly. "Don't cry," she said, her voice soft and soothing. "One day, you're going to find her. I'm sure of it."

Daniel hugged her back, feeling a sense of comfort and peace wash over him. They stood there for a moment, holding each other, before Daniel finally pulled back and wiped his tears away.

"Thank you, Emma," he said, his voice still shaking. "That means a lot to me."

They exchanged phone numbers, and Daniel promised to stay in touch. As they stood there, the rain began to fall, pouring down in sheets.

Daniel looked around, realizing that he didn't have a car and couldn't run back to his hotel. Emma smiled and took his hand.

"Come on," she said. "My place is just nearby. You can wait out the storm there."

Daniel hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. He followed Emma through the rain-soaked streets, wondering what other surprises the day might hold.As they arrived at Emma's place, she immediately asked Daniel to take a warm bath to get him warmed up. "You must be freezing," she said, concern etched on her face. "I'll get you some towels and you can take a bath while I prepare some food for you."

Daniel gratefully accepted, feeling the warmth of the bath seep into his bones. As he soaked in the tub, he heard Emma moving around in the kitchen, preparing what sounded like instant noodles.

After his bath, Daniel wrapped himself in a towel and made his way to the kitchen, where Emma had set out a steaming bowl of noodles. "Thanks, Emma," he said, digging in with relish.

As he ate, Emma excused herself to take a bath as well. Daniel continued eating, lost in thought, when suddenly he caught a glimpse of Emma's naked figure through the transparent glass door of the bathroom.

Daniel's mind went wild, and his private part became stiff. He didn't know what to do in this situation. He felt a mix of emotions - guilt, shame, and arousal. He tried to push the thoughts away, but he couldn't help sneaking another glance at Emma's naked figure.

Daniel felt like he was in a predicament. He didn't want to be attracted to Emma, but he couldn't deny the physical response he was having. He tried to remind himself that Emma was a kind and generous person who had taken him in, and that he should respect her boundaries.

But as he sat there, trying to compose himself, Daniel couldn't shake the feeling that this chance encounter had just become a lot more complicated.