The Billionaire Hidden in Plain Sight

Chapter Five

The excitement from  Derek  Enzo's apology had barely faded when Margaret Harper rose from her chair with authority. Her sharp eyes swept across the room, silencing the remaining chatter.

"Quiet!" she commanded.

Everyone immediately fell silent.

Margaret's expression was stern. "While I'm pleased that the immediate crisis has been resolved, I still have serious doubts about Emma's leadership."

"Grandmother—" Emma began.

Margaret held up her hand. "You refused Ethan  Morgan's proposal. A proposal that would have secured our family's future for generations. That shows poor judgment."

"I'm already married," Emma said quietly.

"To a worthless nobody!" Margaret snapped. "That's not a real marriage—that's an anchor dragging you down!" She crossed her arms. "I'm not convinced you have what it takes to lead this company anymore."

"I can prove myself," Emma said, straightening her shoulders. "Give me a chance."

Tara jumped to her feet, her eyes gleaming with ambition. "Grandmother, Emma has already had her chance! She nearly destroyed the company! Why should she get another opportunity?"

"I agree," another relative chimed in. "Tara should take over!"

Margaret tapped her fingers on the armrest thoughtfully. "Ethan  mentioned something interesting before he left. The Titans Global Holdings is opening a branch here in our city."

The room buzzed with interest.

"That's right," Margaret continued. "Titans Global is an A-tier conglomerate—one of the most powerful in the entire country. A partnership with them would elevate our family beyond anything we've ever dreamed of."

"Grandmother, what are you suggesting?" Emma asked carefully.

Margaret's lips curved into a cold smile. "A competition. Whoever can secure a partnership with Titans Global Holdings will become the company's president. No arguments, no second chances. Winner takes all."

Tara's face lit up with triumph. "That's a brilliant idea, Grandmother!"

"Wait—" Emma started.

"Do you accept the terms?" Margaret demanded. "Or are you going to run away like a coward?"

Emma's jaw tightened. "I accept."

"Excellent." Margaret settled back into her chair with satisfaction. "You both have one week."

Tara laughed, a high-pitched sound full of mockery. "One week? I won't even need one day!" She turned to the doorway and called out sweetly, "Patrick! Darling, come in here!"

A tall man in an expensive suit walked into the living room. He had slicked-back hair and carried himself with the smugness of someone who knew he was important. Patrick Miller adjusted his designer watch and smiled at the crowd.

"Everyone," Tara said proudly, linking her arm through his. "This is my boyfriend, Patrick Miller. He's a manager at Titans Global Holdings."

The room erupted in gasps and excited whispers.

"A manager at Titans Global?" someone breathed in awe.

"Tara, you didn't tell us!" another relative exclaimed.

Margaret's eyes widened with delight. "Patrick Miller? The Patrick Miller? I've heard your name in business circles. They say you're one of the rising stars at Titans Global."

Patrick smiled modestly, though his chest puffed out with pride. "You're too kind, Mrs. Harper. I'm just doing my job."

"Just doing your job?" Tara giggled, squeezing his arm. "Don't be so humble, darling! You manage an entire department! You have direct access to the regional director!"

Victoria's face had gone pale. She looked at Emma with growing panic.

Patrick turned to Emma with a polite but condescending smile. "Mrs. Brooks, I've heard about your company's recent troubles. I'm sorry things have been difficult for you."

"Thank you," Emma said stiffly.

"Of course, with Tara as my girlfriend," Patrick continued smoothly, "I'd be more than happy to help the Harper family. Getting a partnership with Titans Global?" He shrugged casually. "That's not a problem at all. I can probably have the contracts ready by tomorrow afternoon."

The room exploded with cheers.

"Did you hear that?" someone shouted. "Tomorrow afternoon!"

"We're going to partner with Titans Global!" another voice cried.

Tara beamed at Emma with pure malice. "I guess this competition is already over, cousin. You might as well give up now and save yourself the embarrassment."

"Tara will make an excellent president!" a relative declared.

"Much better than Emma ever was!" someone else added.

Margaret nodded approvingly. "Tara, I'm very impressed. It seems you've been preparing for this moment."

"Of course, Grandmother." Tara's smile was poisonous as she looked at Emma. "Unlike some people, I actually plan ahead. I don't just rely on luck or sympathy from dead grandfathers."

Several people snickered.

"Speaking of planning ahead," Tara continued sweetly, her eyes drifting to Liam, who still stood silently at the back of the room. "How's your husband going to help you, Emma? Is he going to cook a nice meal for the Titans Global executives? Maybe wash their cars?"

The room erupted in cruel laughter.

"That worthless dog couldn't get a meeting with a janitor at Titans Global, let alone a partnership!" someone called out.

"He's more likely to be kicked out by security!" another voice added.

"At least he's good at one thing—being completely useless!" Tara cackled.

Even Patrick joined in the mockery. "I have to say, Mrs. Brooks, I admire your loyalty to your husband. But loyalty doesn't pay the bills. Maybe it's time to face reality."

Liam stood motionless, his expression blank. But his eyes had grown darker.

Margaret waved her hand dismissively. "This matter is settled. Tara, go to Titans Global today and begin the paperwork. I expect good news by tomorrow."

"Yes, Grandmother!" Tara practically skipped toward the door, pulling Patrick along. "Come on, darling! Let's go secure my position as the new president!"

Patrick followed, pausing only to give Emma one last condescending look. "Good luck, Mrs. Brooks. You're going to need it."

They left together, Tara's triumphant laughter echoing behind them.

One by one, the other relatives filed out, most of them congratulating each other as if the competition was already over. Within minutes, only Margaret, Victoria, Emma, and Liam remained.

Margaret stood slowly, her cold eyes fixed on Emma. "You have one week. But I expect you'll be packing your office by tomorrow afternoon." She walked toward the door, then paused. "And Emma? When you lose, I want you to think about what you threw away when you rejected Ethan  Morgan."

The door closed behind her with finality.

Victoria immediately rounded on Emma, her face red with fury. "Are you HAPPY now?!" she screamed. "Are you SATISFIED?!"

"Mother—"

"You rejected Ethan ! You rejected a B-tier family! And for WHAT?!" Victoria's voice cracked with hysteria. "Now Tara is going to take everything! EVERYTHING! And it's all your fault!"

"I can still win," Emma said tiredly. "I can get a partnership with Titans Global myself."

Victoria laughed bitterly. "How? HOW?! Tara's boyfriend works there! He's a manager! What do you have? NOTHING!"

"I'll find a way—"

"No, you won't!" Victoria jabbed her finger at Liam. "You'll fail because you're too stupid to let go of that parasite! He's holding you back! He's DESTROYING you!"

Liam finally spoke, his voice soft. "I can help."

Victoria whirled on him with pure hatred in her eyes. "YOU?! You can HELP?! You pathetic animal! You can't even help yourself! You live in MY house, eat MY food, and contribute NOTHING!"

"Mother, please—" Emma tried.

"You're a worthless dog!" Victoria continued, advancing on Liam. "No—dogs have more value than you! At least a dog can guard a house! You're more like a parasite! A worm! A piece of garbage rotting in my home!"

Liam's expression remained calm, but something flickered in his eyes. "I can help Emma secure a partnership with Titans Global Holdings," he said quietly.

Victoria stared at him. Then she burst into hysterical laughter.

"Did you HEAR him?!" she shrieked, looking at Emma. "He thinks he can help! This nobody thinks he can compete with a Titans Global manager!" She turned back to Liam, her face twisted with rage. "You can't even get a job as a janitor at Titans Global, and you think you can secure a PARTNERSHIP?!"

"I can try—" Liam began.

"SHUT UP!" Victoria screamed. "I don't want to hear another word from your mouth, you useless piece of trash! You're the reason my daughter is losing everything! YOU'RE the reason this family is falling apart!"

She stormed past him, deliberately bumping into his shoulder as she went. "I'm going to call Ethan  and beg him to reconsider. Maybe if Emma grovels enough, he'll still help us."

"Mother, don't—" Emma called after her.

But Victoria had already disappeared down the hallway, slamming her bedroom door behind her.

Silence filled the living room.

Emma stood with her arms wrapped around herself, looking smaller and more exhausted than ever. Slowly, she turned to face Liam.

"Liam," she said softly, her voice filled with weary sadness. "Please don't make such wild claims anymore."

Liam met her eyes. "Emma, I meant what I said. I can—"

"No, you can't." Emma shook her head. "I know you're trying to help. I know you want to support me. And I..." She paused, something flickering across her face. "I appreciate that. Really, I do."

"Then let me—"

"But you don't understand how this world works," Emma continued gently. "Titans Global is one of the most powerful companies in the country. They don't meet with people like..." She trailed off, looking away. "They don't meet with people who don't have connections."

"I have connections," Liam said quietly.

Emma gave him a sad smile. "Liam, please. Don't make this harder than it already is."