Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon Chapter 126

Ethan's POV:

"How much of that did you hear?"

I asked, slipping my phone into my pocket.

Finley stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

"Enough to know you're meeting Thornton tomorrow about our missing sister." His eyes held mine steadily.

I felt a chill run down my spine.

"How do you know about that?"

"I've always known, Ethan." Finley's voice was calm, matter-of-fact.

"I overheard you and Dad talking about it when I was moving out of the family home."

The revelation hit me like a physical blow.

I'd been so careful, keeping this secret buried for decades, and here was Finley casually admitting he'd known all along.

"Is that why you've always been so cold toward Daisy?" I asked, the pieces suddenly falling into place.

Finley shook his head firmly.

"No, Ethan. I'm not like you. I moved out of the Cole house early, so my attachment to Daisy isn't as deep as yours. But I've always considered her my sister."

He paused, crossing his arms.

"The difference is, I really don't have as much tolerance or patience for her as you do. "

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Despite knowing the truth, Finley still considered Daisy a sister.

"Thank you for that," I said quietly.

Finley nodded, his expression softening. "Family members don't stand on ceremony with each other."

"If you need help with this situation, just say the word. You know that's why they sent me back to handle some of the tougher business deals. "

"I got it," I said, "but Caspar will help me handle this. You should be enjoying your time with your new wife."

Before Finley could reply, we heard footsteps in the hallway.

We exchanged a glance and moved toward the door.

Opening it, we found Daisy standing there, clearly having just returned to the house.

She startled visibly when the door opened, her eyes widening.

"Daisy?" I said, surprised. "When did you come back?"

"I just got back," she said, her voice softer than I'd heard before.

"I was going to my room, but... Ethan, I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier. I was being childish and selfish."

I stared at my sister, trying to reconcile this contrite woman with the defiant girl who had stormed out of the room hours earlier.

"Please don't be angry with me anymore," Daisy said, her voice trembling slightly.

"I've learned my lesson. I won't be so stubborn about Caspar again."

I sighed, feeling my shoulders slump.

"I shouldn't have hit you, Daisy. That was wrong of me, no matter how frustrated I was."

At my words, tears welled up in Daisy's eyes and spilled down her cheeks.

"No, that slap was exactly what I needed. It woke me up, Ethan."

She wiped at her face. "From now on, I promise I'll listen to you. If you think I should marry someone else, I will. Just tell me who, and I'll do it."

I couldn't help but laugh softly at that.

"That's not what I want, Daisy. I'm not trying to control your marriage or your life. I just don't want to see you chasing after someone who's clearly not interested."

"I know that now," she said with a smile.

The sound of our conversation must have carried, as Clara appeared in the hallway.

"I heard voices. Is everything alright?"

Daisy turned to face her, that same contrite expression still in place.

"Clara, I need to apologize to you, too. The way I spoke to you earlier was completely unacceptable. You're Finley's wife and part of our family now, and I treated you terribly. I hope you can forgive me."

Clara's eyes flicked to mine briefly before she nodded.

"Of course, Daisy. We all have bad days."

---

The next morning.

I came downstairs to find Daisy already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.

The smell of fresh coffee and pancakes filled the air.

"Good morning, big brother," she chirped, sliding a perfect stack of pancakes onto a plate. "I made your favorite."

"Thank you," I said, accepting the plate with a cautious smile.

I checked my phone, finding a message from Caspar confirming our meeting time.

"I need to go out this morning. Some business to attend to."

"Oh?" Daisy looked up from the stove.

"Can I come with you? I promise I won't be any trouble."

I shook my head firmly. "Not this time, Daisy. It's work. "

Her smile faltered slightly. "But I have nothing to do here in New York. All my friends are in Chicago."

"I can't babysit you while I'm working," I explained, trying to keep my tone gentle but firm.

She continued. "You're still mad about yesterday, aren't you?"

"That's not it," I denied.

"Clara could take you shopping," Finley suggested, entering the kitchen. "She knows all the best boutiques in New York."

I shot him a grateful look.

Before Daisy could protest further, I grabbed my jacket and headed for the door.

"I'll be back later."

I called over my shoulder, not waiting for a response.

---

Caspar's sleek black Bentley was waiting at the agreed location.

I slipped into the back seat, finding Caspar already inside, his expression serious.

"You're punctual," he noted, glancing at his watch.

I nodded, my stomach knotting with a mixture of anxiety and hope.

"Did you learn anything more since yesterday?"

"Nothing concrete," Caspar replied, his voice carefully neutral.

"But I want to manage your expectations, Cole. Even if this Kevin person knows something, the chances of finding your sister alive after all this time..."

"I know," I said quietly.

"But I need to know what happened to her."

Caspar studied me for a moment, then nodded. "I understand."

We fell into silence as the car navigated through the morning traffic.

I found myself absently tapping my fingers against my knee, an old nervous habit I thought I'd outgrown.

My heart hammered against my ribs, and I could feel sweat beginning to form on my palms.