Orphaned Son-in-law is Billionaire Heir

Ch. 5 - The Trap

Daintree remained crumpled on the marble floor, her designer dress wrinkled and her makeup smeared from tears. The reality of her situation crashed over her like a tsunami.

"Connor... I mean, Mr. Waratah..." she whispered, reaching toward him with trembling hands. "Please, we used to be close! We were classmates! Surely you remember—"

"Close?" Connor's voice was arctic. "You mean when you called me an abandoned orphan every day in high school?"

"That was just... just teenage foolishness!" Daintree scrambled to her knees. "We're adults now! I was only joking around like old friends do!"

Boroondara stepped between them, his face a mask of professional fury. "Security! Remove this woman from the premises immediately!"

"No, wait! Connor, please!" Daintree's voice rose to a shriek. "I have a mortgage! I have bills! You can't do this to me!"

The security guards grabbed her arms, but she continued struggling and screaming. "Connor! We grew up in the same town! That has to count for something!"

"It does count for something," Connor said quietly. "It counts as a lesson about consequences."

As the guards dragged her toward the exit, Daintree's voice echoed through the lobby. "This isn't fair! I didn't know! How could I have known?"

The remaining staff stood in terrified silence, watching their colleague's career implode in real time.

Connor turned to address the crowd. "For those employees who participated in the mockery, you have until tomorrow to submit written apology reports. Your salaries will be reduced by fifty percent for the next three months."

Gasps rippled through the group.

"Additionally," Connor continued coldly, "my identity as president remains confidential. Any leaks will result in immediate termination without severance."

Sandra stepped forward, her voice shaking. "Mr. Waratah, we sincerely apologize. We had no idea—"

"No, you had every idea that you were being cruel to another human being," Connor cut her off. "You simply didn't care because you thought there would be no consequences."

The staff members nodded frantically, fear written across their faces.

"Mr. Boroondara," Connor addressed the manager. "I'm returning to my afternoon shift. Handle the situation here."

"Of course, Mr. Waratah. Your... afternoon shift?"

Connor walked toward the exit where his electric scooter waited among the luxury cars. The staff watched in bewilderment as their billionaire president climbed onto the modest vehicle.

Boroondara cleared his throat. "Let this be a lesson to all of you. Eagles don't catch flies—they soar above petty concerns. Never judge based on appearances alone."

That evening, Connor was riding home from the Billabong Elder Care when he spotted two familiar figures slipping into a small café. Bandicoot and Milla moved with suspicious stealth, constantly looking over their shoulders.

Connor parked his scooter and pulled his hood up, following them inside. He chose a corner table behind a large plant, straining to hear their whispered conversation.

"...perfect opportunity to destroy that little princess," Milla was saying, stirring her coffee viciously.

"Are you certain this will work?" Bandicoot asked nervously.

"Of course it will work, you spineless worm! We push Kirra into negotiating with Jarrah Properties for that downtown building. When the deal inevitably fails, Elder Dundarra will see her as incompetent."

"But what if—"

"What if nothing!" Milla hissed. "Jarrah Properties has been refusing to work with our family for months! There's no way she can succeed. When she fails, the old man will kick her out of the business leadership."

Bandicoot grinned maliciously. "And her useless orphanage helper husband will be humiliated right along with her."

"Exactly! Connor married above his station, and everyone knows it. When Kirra loses her position, he'll be exposed as the pathetic social climber he really is."

"The other relatives will support this?"

"They're already on board. Nobody wants to see the family business run by someone married to human trash from an orphanage."

Connor's hands clenched into fists under the table.

"When do we spring the trap?" Bandicoot asked eagerly.

"Tonight. I've already convinced Elder Dundarra to call an emergency family meeting. We'll present it as a golden opportunity for Kirra to prove herself."

"And when she fails?"

"When she fails, we'll have a new family business leader—one who isn't married to a worthless charity case!"

Both cousins erupted in cruel laughter.

Connor smiled coldly to himself. Let them try their petty schemes. They have no idea what they're walking into.

Back home, Connor found Kirra pacing nervously in their bedroom.

"Connor! Thank goodness you're back!" she said breathlessly. "Grandfather called an emergency family meeting for tonight. Something about a major business opportunity."

Connor sat on his floor blanket, hiding his knowing expression. "Any idea what it's about?"

"No, but Mother seemed unusually excited. That's never a good sign."

Right on cue, Wonga's voice screeched from downstairs. "Kirra! We're leaving for your grandfather's house! And leave the orphanage janitor at home!"

Kirra's jaw set stubbornly. "Connor is coming with me."

"Why would you bring that parasitic worm to a family business meeting?" Wonga's voice grew shriller. "He's not real family! He's just some charity case you picked up for convenience!"

"He's my husband!"

"He's a professional beggar who empties bedpans for a living!" Wonga stomped up the stairs. "What could he possibly contribute to a serious business discussion?"

"He contributes more than you think," Kirra said firmly.

Wonga appeared in the doorway, her face twisted with disgust as she looked at Connor. "Look at him! Sitting on the floor like a trained dog! Is this really who you want representing our family?"

"Mother, enough!"

"Enough? I'm just getting started! This bottom-feeding maggot only married you so he could leech off our family's success!"

Connor stood up slowly. "I'll stay home if it makes things easier—"

"No!" Kirra grabbed his arm. "You're coming with me. We're a team."

Wonga cackled harshly. "A team? You mean a race horse and her flea-bitten tick!"

The Kuranda mansion buzzed with anticipation when Connor and Kirra arrived. Extended family members clustered in small groups, their conversations dying as the couple entered.

"Look who decided to grace us with his presence," sneered Uncle Jarrah, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"The orphanage helper himself," Aunt Kakadu whispered to her neighbor. "Still can't believe Kirra actually married that."

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," someone else replied. "She needed a warm body to satisfy the marriage requirement."

Milla appeared beside them, her smile dripping with false sweetness. "Kirra, darling! And Connor! How... lovely to see you both."