All Chapters of The Billionaire Hidden in Plain Sight: Chapter 1
- Chapter 8
8 chapters
Chapter One
The aroma of seared beef filled the kitchen as Liam Brooks carefully plated the Wellington he’d spent three hours perfecting. The golden pastry gleamed under the warm lights, and baby vegetables were arranged in a perfect circle… each one cut with surgical precision.His phone buzzed against the marble counter.“Sir,” came Ryan’s urgent voice. “Princess Natalia of Cordovia requests your presence at dinner tonight. She’s willing to pay—”“No.” Liam wiped his hands on his apron, checking the sauce’s texture.“But sir, she’s offering fifty million dollars just for—”“I said no, Ryan. I’m busy.”A pause. “Busy? Sir, with all due respect, what could possibly be more important than—”“My wife’s dinner.”Ryan cleared his throat. “Right. Well, there’s another matter. King Alexander of Veridia wants to hire you as the kingdom’s guardian. The salary is… astronomical.”Liam drizzled the red wine reduction over the plate. “Not interested.”“You’re turning down a position that would make you one o
Chapter Two
Liam’s phone vibrated. Thirty seconds had passed since his call to Ryan.“Sir, I have the information.” Ryan’s voice was crisp. “It’s the Enzo family—a C-tier clan. They pulled their investment from the Harper partnership three days ago.”“Details.”“Nicholas Enzo withdrew fifty million at the worst possible moment. The Harpers needed that money for their factory expansion. Without it they can’t pay suppliers or workers.”Liam’s fingers tightened around the phone. “Why?”“His son—Derek Enzo. He’s been obsessed with Mrs. Harper for months. He told Nicholas to squeeze the family until she… agrees to meet him.”“Where?”“Tomorrow evening. His private suite at the Grand Imperial Hotel. Suite 1506.”A cold smile touched Liam’s lips. “Interesting.”“Sir, Derek specifically said Mrs. Harper must come alone if she wants the partnership restored.”“I see.” Liam’s voice could freeze blood. “Send the car.”“It’s already outside, sir.”He ended the call and walked out. A black Bentley idled at th
Chapter Three
Derek Enzo’s knees hit the marble floor with a painful crack.“Please!” His voice broke as tears streamed down his face. “I’ll fix everything! I swear on my mother’s grave!”Liam stood above him, hands clasped behind his back. His expression was calm—too calm.“Go on,” he said quietly.“I’ll restore full cooperation with the Harper family immediately!” Derek stammered. “Better terms than before! And I’ll—I’ll personally visit Mrs. Harper to apologize!”“When?” Liam’s tone held no emotion.“Tomorrow morning! First thing! I’ll grovel at her feet if I have to!”Liam studied him for a long moment before speaking.“This is merely a small lesson, Mr. Enzo. Remember it well.”“Yes! Yes, I will! Thank you for your mercy!”Liam turned and walked away, leaving Derek sobbing on the office floor.~~~The house was silent when Liam returned home. Moonlight spilled across the polished floors as he climbed the stairs.Emma’s bedroom door was closed; soft breathing inside told him she was finally asl
Chapter Four
The silence after Liam’s words lasted exactly three seconds before the room erupted in laughter.“Did he just say he disagrees?” Tara Carter wiped tears from her eyes, her laughter high and mocking. “The family cook thinks he has a vote?”Margaret’s cane struck the floor as she chuckled. “In fifty years of business, I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous.”“Liam, please,” Emma whispered, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Don’t make this worse.”Victoria’s face flushed an alarming shade of red. “How dare you speak when your betters are talking? You have no right—no right—to interfere in family business!”Ethan’s polite smile never faltered, though amusement gleamed in his eyes. “Perhaps your… husband doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation.”“He understands nothing,” Victoria snapped. “Three years of marriage and he’s learned nothing about his place.”Liam stood calmly beside the kitchen counter, seemingly unbothered by the ridicule pouring over him. His coffee cup sat u
Chapter Five
The house felt unnervingly quiet after Ethan’s departure. The family members clustered around Margaret, their voices buzzing with excitement and whispered schemes. The elderly matriarch stood at the center, her sharp gaze fixed on Emma with unmistakable disapproval.“Well,” Margaret’s voice cut through the chatter like a blade, “that was quite a display.”Emma straightened, already bracing for impact. “Grandmother, I know you’re disappointed, but—”“Disappointed?” Margaret’s laugh was cold and bitter. “Child, I’m beyond disappointed. I’m horrified.”The room fell silent. The ominous rhythmic tap of Margaret’s cane against the marble floor sounded like a countdown.“You just rejected a proposal from a future B-tier family heir,” she said, her tone rising with each word. “A man offering fifty million dollars to save our company. And for what? Pride?”“It’s not about pride,” Emma replied, her voice steady. “It’s about doing what’s right—for everyone involved.”“The right decision?” Tara
Chapter Six
Liam stood in the empty kitchen, watching dust motes dance in the morning sunlight streaming through the windows. The house felt hollow after the chaos earlier that morning… echoes of angry voices and shattered expectations still clinging to the air.He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. The truth was a burden no one wanted to carry when lies were so much more comfortable. Every word he’d spoken had been honest, yet honesty seemed to be the one thing his wife’s family couldn’t stand.The sound of hurried footsteps broke the silence. Emma appeared in the doorway, her purse clutched tightly in her hands, determination hardening her features.“I’m going to the office,” she said, not quite meeting his eyes. “I need to find contacts, research Titan Global Holdings’ requirements, figure out how to approach them.”“Emma—”“Don’t.” She lifted a hand, halting him mid-sentence. “Please, Liam. I have work to do.”She turned and walked away, heels clicking sharply against the marble
Chapter Seven
In the plush executive lounge on the fortieth floor, Patrick Miller lounged in a leather chair, his legs stretched out confidently. The floor-to-ceiling windows framed a breathtaking view of the city below, but his attention was fixed entirely on the woman beside him.Tara Carter perched on the edge of her seat, practically vibrating with excitement. Her designer purse sat open on her lap as she typed furiously on her phone.“I can’t believe this is finally happening,” she whispered, her fingers flying across the screen. “Grandmother Margaret is going to be so impressed.”Patrick adjusted his expensive watch, flashing a smug smile. “I told you not to worry, sweetheart. With my connections, this deal was always guaranteed.”“When President Leonardo signs the partnership agreement,” Tara continued, eyes gleaming with anticipation, “I’ll officially become the new company president. Finally.”“And after that,” Patrick leaned closer, his voice dropping to an intimate murmur, “we’ll plan ou
Chapter Eight
The Harper estate felt like a war zone when Liam returned. Raised voices echoed from the living room, punctuated by the sharp crack of Margaret’s cane against the marble floor. Through the doorway, he saw the entire family gathered in a tense circle, faces tight with anger and disbelief.Liam paused in the hallway, listening to the chaos unfolding in the next room.“This is a disaster!” Margaret’s voice cut through the noise, cold and furious. “An absolute catastrophe!”“Grandmother, please, let me explain—” Tara’s voice was trembling, desperate.“Explain?” Margaret’s bitter laugh echoed. “Explain how you threw away our family’s future? How you destroyed our only connection to Titan Global Holdings?”Liam quietly stepped closer to the doorway, staying just out of sight.Tara sat hunched in an armchair, mascara streaking down her cheeks, her once-perfect appearance now crumbling under humiliation. “I didn’t know Patrick would get fired!” she protested. “How could I have predicted that?