Rise of The Masked Billionaire Magnate

The Unexpected Heir

Chapter 5

Alexander made his way to the car at once, ignoring the unending questions from the press.

He got into the sedan and rolled up the window. “Drive.” He said, turning to Caleb, the driver who was already waiting in the driver's seat.

“Where now, boss?” He asked quietly.

Alexander leaned back, his eyes cold, his lips pressed into a hard line.

“Home.” He said. “We have an empire to run.”

The black sedan rolled through the private gates of the Wellington Estate. For the first time in three years, Alexander didn't have to worry about being called names anymore. 

He walked straight up the main steps like he owned the place... because he really did.

The massive front doors slid open before he reached them. Two lines of staff each... butlers, maids, security... stood behind the door, waiting in silence.

Everyone of them bowed their heads as Alex walked past. James Park walked beside him. He has been his grandfather's personal aide for years, serving the old master in loyalty, even on his deathbed.

“Welcome home, son.” He said as he led him through the house.

Alex nodded gently, but he didn't say a word. He was taking it all in... the expensive marble floors that cost more than a fortune, the crystal chandelier that hung at the center of the hall, and the beautiful paintings on the walls that could only be found in a museum.

Three years ago, he had left all these to live a simple, pathetic life. But right now, he was back to stay.

They went straight to the master study, his grandfather's old office. A huge desk sat in the middle like a throne, with a shelf of books which stood by the far left corner of the room. Behind the desk, there were floor-to-ceiling windows which looked out over the city far below.

Alexander stood in the doorway and just stared for a long second. 

James closed the door softly when Alex had finally turned away. “The press conference is ready when you are. The whole world is waiting to meet the new Wellington CEO.” 

Alexander took off the cheap jacket he had worn for the divorce and dropped it in the trash can. A butler was already waiting with a new black suit. It had a perfect fit, made with Italian wool, and no logo... just perfection at its peak.

Alexander took his time getting changed. When he buttoned the jacket and turned around, the man in the mirror didn't look like Alex the loser anymore.

A new man was staring back at him... Alexander Wellington. And now, he looked dangerous.

“The broadcast may begin now.” He said, turning to James.

Two minutes later, he walked onto the balcony outside the study. Hundreds of cameras flashed at him from below. The reporters shouted questions all at once upon sighting him.

Alexander raised one hand, and total silence fell all over the place. He looked straight into the cameras, his face hard… not smiling.

“My grandfather built this company from nothing.” He said, his voice strong and cold. “He taught me everything, and today I finally take his place. My first decision is simple... anyone who betrayed my grandfather's trust will surely pay for it, starting from now.”

He didn't mention names. He didn't have to.

Across the city, in a private room at La Belle restaurant, Elena, Victoria, and Marcus were still sitting in shock. The champagne had gone bland. Elena's broken glass was still on the table from earlier.

Every TV and screen in the place was showing the same thing... Alexander standing on the balcony, bold and powerful.

Elena's hands trembled as she tried so hard to understand what was going on. 

“That’s… him? That's really him?”

Victoria's face grew pale, like she had suddenly gone sick. “We… we threw him out. We called him trash... in front of everyone.”

“Come on, there’s gotta be a mistake. That guy is putting on a ten-thousand-dollar suit. The Alex we know couldn’t even afford socks.” Marcus shrugged, trying to laugh it off.

Back on the screen, a reporter shouted. “Sir, you said something earlier about revoking the contract with Thompson Enterprises. Why did you have to do that, especially now that they are at the peak of their fame?”

Alexander looked straight into the camera, even though they were miles away. “Well, that's because I figured out they never deserved the contract after all.” 

He turned back into the study… and the feed cut off without warning. 

Back at the restaurant, Elena stared at the alerts in her phone over and over again... insufficient funds, account frozen, overdraft notice... and she still clung onto the tiny bit of hope that it was all a dream.

Victoria stood at the other end of the table, her face white with panic. “We're ruined!”

Elena stood up quickly, knocking her chair over. “I have to talk to him. He'll listen to me. We were married!”

She made her way to the door, but two security guards stopped her before she could take another step further.

One of them spoke politely but firmly. “You can't leave just yet, Mrs Thompson. The bill has not been paid.”

“Do you know who I am?” Elena screamed on top of her voice.

The guard didn't blink. “Yes ma'am. We just need you to pay up your bills before leaving. It's obvious your cards aren't working either... it’s all over the news.”

Elena couldn't argue. It was clear enough the guard wouldn't back off unless the bills had been sorted.

She stood there, one hand on her chin as she thought of a way out.

“What the hell is going on here today? Is this how you treat your elite customers now? Like trash?”

“I'm sorry about that, ma'am. We're only carrying out our duties.” The guard said in a calm tone. 

But Elena wasn't having it.

“Call me your manager…or better still, get me the CEO of this place. I won't tolerate this ridiculous behavior.”

The guard immediately pulled out his phone and dialed a number, bringing it close to his ear. “Boss, there’s a woman here requesting your presence at the restaurant,” he said, giving a quick nod before ending the call.

He turned to Elena. “He will be with you shortly.”

“Better.” She hissed and returned to her seat, settling beside Marcus and Victoria, who kept stealing anxious glances at their phones, still struggling to process the news.

Within minutes, a deep, strangely familiar voice echoed behind her.

“You asked to see me, madam. How can I be of service?”

She turned abruptly, her eyes blazing with fury... only for her to freeze the moment she saw him.