Hans' mind was fuddled and he bit his lip. He darted a gaze at her to see any signs of encouragement or interest, but she was cold as ice. He slumped his shoulders and raked his hair again. With a loud huff he revealed, "I know because I was a part of the six officer team who used to offer bribes for contracts, skimming, illegal gifts and rigged the bids. Some government officials were also a part of this network."

This was a gold mine. Dawn had hit the treasure she wanted. This man would give her every little dirty detail she needed in the future. On the inside, her heart was beating so hard that it would have punctured her lungs and come out. She willed herself to calm down, but couldn't help feeling a burning sensation at the tip of her ears as blood gushed to her head. She took several deep breaths and waited.

​​

Hans looked down at his hands in his lap. The silence was eating him. Negativity surged in his body and he knew that after knowing so much she would kick him out.

"You are a bold man, Hans," said Dawn. "Even though you were in deep shit regarding these bribes, you still went ahead to file the case?"

"Only I was the one who was laid off. The other five continue to work there. They are all a part of it. Why was I asked to leave, when all I wanted was my due? I have done so much work for them and the new VP simply threw me out of the job because I demanded compensation?" He sounded so angry that his face was red. "I had to file the case. They are a bunch of cheaters and liars." His fists clenched tightly.

Dawn Wyatt had a treasure trove. With the help of this man, she knew she could go far, very far. She crossed her hands across her chest and gave him a warm smile.

Hans blinked his eyes twice to comprehend as to why she was smiling. He was extremely sure that she would never hire him. Why the hell did he say anything to her? His hands were clammy. He felt like disappearing.

"Mr. Hans M��ller, your profile looks good, and I would like to welcome you aboard."

Hans almost fainted.

Dawn didn't give him a chance to think. She had to act quickly like a shark, to trap this man as soon as possible. "You will get your appointment letter by tomorrow. Though I can't promise you the same compensation, since we are a new firm, I can assure you that we don't believe in overtime. So it is going to be simple for you." She understood one thing about the man sitting in front of him—money motivated him. That was a useful feature because that would put him in her control.

Hans' Adam's apple moved up as he choked a lump behind his throat. "Thank you," he rasped.

"You're welcome," she said with a smile. "You can leave your details with Randy."

Hans was so moved by the entire situation that his face went blank. He didn't know how to react. After being out of job for more than two months now, he was desperate. He had to give good news to his wife. And he was thankful that despite knowing everything, well not everything, the new employer gave him a job. At the moment he would settle for it but would sneak out the moment he got a better job. He rose from his seat, thanked her again and then left the office. It was a beautiful day.

Dawn chuckled softly when Hans went out. She wanted to find out more, especially about the government officials. The only person who came to her mind was her father-in-law. But would he help? She had to take her chances and called him.

Gayle was in a meeting with another Senator of his party over tea. He was shocked to see Dawn's call. He picked it up.

"Good morning, Father."

"Everything okay?" he asked immediately. She had never called him and he sounded too nervous.

"Yes, Father, everything is fine. I had a small favor to ask," she replied as it weighed upon her how much he cared for her.

Gayle relaxed on his chair as tension lines on his face faded. "Nothing I do for you would be a favor. Tell me."

Dawn's heart filled with affection. Gayle was like a father she never had. He was so warm and forthcoming. What did she do to deserve him?

She mentioned about The Starfish Refineries scam. "Can you find out about the government officers who were involved in this bribery scam? Maybe, you can run some political investigation…?"

"Of course I can!" he replied. "Anything else?"

"No Father."

"How are your wedding preparations going on?"

"We bought rings!" she said guiltily because it was Daryn who forced her to buy them. What she didn't know was that it was Gayle who was goading Daryn to hurry up with the preparations.

Gayle let out a soft laughter. "Good! What about your wedding gown?"

Suddenly Dawn felt that Gayle was like a mother hen. "I still have to select one."

"Then hurry up!"

"I will," she said eagerly.

"Great! I will send you the information within two days."

"Thanks Father."

She disconnected the call in the fear of getting more henpecked. She sighed and beamed and then laughed. Her father-in-law was cute!

When she reached home in the evening, she received a message from Lily Wyatt reminding her of dinner in the evening. Once again her trepidations rose. She rubbed the back of her neck in tiredness. Should she take Daryn with her?

Cole had mixed feelings about the invite. His desire to go back to his old house thwarted the hatred that he had bred in his heart for so long. He longed to smell the scent of delicate blooms in his balcony. The aroma of his mothers' baking dishes was still fresh in his memories. He longed to go back to his little room where he jumped on his mattress with his friends. Over the last five years, his home was where his sister was. It was her love and trust that kept him moving forward. And yesterday when Dawn told him that their Grandmother had called them over for dinner, he couldn't hold himself.

"I want to go there, Dawn," was all he managed to say at the end of it.

She had hugged him and said, "I too want to go there." It was an emotional moment. They both wished to be with their parents. Did anyone in the world understand their miseries?

Cole was ready in blue denims and a black polo. As usual he looked handsome. When Dawn came out, he gave her a knowing look. They both shared the same excitement. She chose to wear a pale pink silk dress with a round neck and matching sandals. She wore very light jewelry. Wearing the right clothes was like a statement, and she had to be right. There was no point in wearing gaudy outfits or jewelry. She clutched her purse and curled her hand around Cole's arm. She decided not to take Daryn. The siblings walked to the foyer and the security guards opened the door for them.

When they reached the parking lot, a car pulled out. Dawn stepped and her eyes became wide.

"Hello Wife!" said Daryn through the rear view mirror and winked at her.

"Hello Dawn," Neal said lightly without looking at her.