CAUSE & EFFECT (Vol III)

Part 42- "Freddie doesnt know"

"Miss Robinson, it's so nice to finally meet you, Viktor has told me a lot about you" Dough Michael, the bank manager of HSBC welcomed Daisy as he shook her hand "I'm terribly sorry for the long wait, it's been a busy morning"

Daisy felt comfort in Dough's presence. His medium build, greyish blue eyes and grey hair, reminded her of her grandfather, who she loved dearly.

"Thank you for seeing me" Daisy replied, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Looking around cautiously, Dough leaned in to Daisy, his cautious behaviour had her mimic his glances "we'll go to my office shall we?"

Daisy nodded. She had absolutely no idea why she was meeting with Dough, her only instruction was to go to the bank and speak with him.

Her heels clicked on the marble below her, as she followed him into his office, which like him, was elegant and immaculate.

Offering her a chair, Dough sat opposite her, his desk creating a divide between them. He removed a Manila folder from a locked drawer beside him.

Neatly, he clasped his hands on top of it and took a deep breath "Daisy, I know of your situation and what has happened to you. I would like to extend my sympathies to you, I simply can't imagine how horrible these last couple of years have been. I have know Viktor for most of my life which is why he has trusted me to...reimburse you for your pain"

"Reimburse?" Daisy repeated surprised "I don't think there's any way to reimburse me for what's happened"

Dough gave a sympathetic smile and opened the folder "lets try shall we?"

"When it comes to large sums of money, clients like to keep their assets in multiple accounts under multiple names, safe deposit boxes, sometimes in multiple countries. Because of the nature of my relationship with Viktor, Alex has trusted that I would hide his fortunes for tax purposes. Our laws here are quite different to Russia, therefore he has his assists divided in property, diamonds and cash, do you follow?"

Daisy nodded "I think so"

"There are three men on the planet who can access Alex's $30billion dollar fortune. Alex, Viktor and myself. Over the last few months, Viktor and I have been...creating, let's say, a financial loop hole where a fourth person can access that money. That person is you" Dough's face and tone became serious. Daisy opened her mouth to speak, but was unable to form the words.

"Wait, WHAT?! How is that even possible? I can't steal his money? He would have all kinds of people out to get me, this is absurd" Daisy finally blurted out.

Dough smiled reassuringly "Daisy, it's all been taken care of. The money, has been divided into 3 seperate accounts, you have a safe deposit box with $220 million euros worth of diamonds, for which I have found buyers, their names and details are in this folder along with all the account details"

Daisy crossed her arms and shook her head in disbelief "no, I'm sorry but I don't believe that it's simply this easy for a billionaire to be robbed"

Dough laughed "oh it wasn't easy. We had a software developed to be able to erase any trail of the money's location, believe me it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do"

Daisy looked into Dough's eyes "why are you doing this? You know if you get caught...." Daisy trailed off at the thought of Alex getting his hands on any of them when he realised his money was stolen.

Dough shrugged "I have a daughter your age. I'd want someone to help her if she were in your circumstances. I'm retiring a two months, I want to go out with a bang"

Daisy gave a humoured laugh "well I can't imagine it getting bigger than this"

"Men like Alex get away with everything because of their money, he'll be helpless when he's broke. Justice must be served"

Daisy pursed her lips "I think the damage is well and truely done now, there's not much justice to be served, he won"

"You think so? How did Freddie  take it all?"

It was weird for Daisy to hear a stranger talk about Freddie as though he knew their relationship. Despite having been in the celebrity world for a while now, she couldn't quite grow accustomed to the fact, that the world was constantly kept up to date with her love life.

"Freddie doesn't know" she admitted, expecting an outraged response to her reply.

Dough simply raised his brows and tilted his head slightly "it's probably best that for now, he doesn't know until you decide what you want to do"

"You mean I have a choice?" Having a choice had become a luxury for Daisy who had become used to everyone else making decisions for her.

"Yes Daisy. The money will regardless of what decide, be removed from all the accounts, it's your choice to take it or not"

Daisy stood up and paced the room, her brain was completely overwhelmed by the offer infront of her.

Despite being financially well off herself, the idea of taking all of Alex's fortune was something that was hard for her to say no to. Not because she was money hungry, she just wanted the bastard to pay, both metaphorically and literally.

She looked out the window and crossed her arms protectively across herself. The wind had begun to pick up as dark clouds formed. Watching the leaves dance around the street, her thoughts turned dark to match the sky's shade.

Money could be replaced.

Regardless of how much she took, was it really enough? Would his money simply fix everything?

Turning back towards Dough, she extended her open hand "ok I'll take it"

Dough was pleased in her decision, and happily handed over the folder. Holding it close to her chest she felt no relief in the knowledge that Alex would be penniless the moment she activated the accounts.

As she left the bank, Daisy wondered what it would take for her to truely feel that justice was served.

What lengths would she need to go to to seek revenge for not only herself but Freddie, Viktor and even Nicola.

Sitting into a cab, she rested the folder on her lap, her fingers curling gently along its edges.

Watching the streets of England pass by so carelessly, while she sat with $30 billion euros under her fingers, felt surreal.

Alex would make the money back without a doubt. This would not solve anything. Unless.

"Driver, can you please take me to the hospital instead?" She asked the quickly in hopes he would alter their route.

The small Iris man behind the wheel glanced into the rear view mirror "ay luv, yer not ill are ye?"

Daisy shook her head "I've never felt better actually, I just need to go see someone"