The Billionaire Hidden in Plain Sight

Chapter Four

The room erupted in chaos.

"Did he just say he disagrees?" Tara shrieked with laughter. "The dog thinks he has a say in this?"

"Someone put a muzzle on this mutt!" another relative shouted.

"Who do you think you are?!" Margaret's face turned purple with rage. "You worthless parasite! You have no right to speak!"

Ethan 's charming smile had vanished, replaced by cold irritation. He kept his grip on Emma's hand but turned to look at Liam with barely concealed contempt. "I'm sorry, but who are you exactly?"

"Her husband," Liam said simply.

The room exploded with mocking laughter.

"Husband?" Tara doubled over. "That's the funniest joke I've heard all year! You're not her husband—you're her burden!"

"You're less than a servant!" someone else called out.

"At least a servant gets paid! You're just a freeloader!"

Victoria's face went bright red. She stormed over to Liam, her finger jabbing toward his chest. "How DARE you embarrass this family! How dare you try to ruin Emma's chance at a real future!"

"Mother—" Emma started.

"Be quiet, Emma!" Victoria snapped. "This animal is trying to keep you trapped in poverty! He wants you to suffer so he can keep living off your money like the leech he is!"

Liam remained calm, his eyes steady. "Emma doesn't need Ethan 's help."

More laughter erupted.

"Oh, really?" Tara sneered. "And where exactly is YOUR help, Liam? Where's YOUR solution to the company crisis?"

"The problem will be resolved," Liam said quietly. "Even without Ethan ."

The entire room roared with laughter. People were practically crying with amusement.

"Listen to him!" someone howled. "He thinks he can save the company!"

"With what? Your cooking skills?" Tara mocked. "Are you going to serve the  Enzo family a nice dinner and hope they change their minds?"

"Maybe he'll wash their cars!" another relative cackled.

Victoria's face twisted with fury. "You miserable worm! You're trying to make Emma lose everything! You want her to fail so she'll be stuck with you forever!" She turned to Emma. "Daughter, if you don't accept Ethan 's proposal right now, I'll disown you myself!"

Emma stood silent, her head lowered. She gently tried to pull her hand from Ethan 's grip.

"Ethan , I appreciate your offer," she began softly. "But I—"

BANG!

The front door exploded open.

Everyone jumped. Heads whipped toward the entrance.

 Derek  Enzo stumbled through the doorway.

His face was a mess—swollen, bruised, one eye nearly shut. His expensive suit was wrinkled and stained. He looked like he'd been in a street fight and lost badly.

The room fell completely silent.

 Derek's eyes swept the crowd frantically before landing on Emma. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees with a heavy thud.

"Mrs. Harper!" he gasped. "I'm so sorry! I'm so, so sorry!"

Emma stared at him in shock. "Mr.  Enzo? What—"

"I made a terrible mistake!"  Derek's voice cracked. "I never should have pulled the investment! I never should have said those things! Please—please forgive me!"

Everyone in the room was frozen in disbelief.

"The partnership is restored!"  Derek continued desperately. "The full investment amount will be transferred back to your account today! Right now! I'll send the contracts over immediately!"

Margaret's mouth hung open. Tara looked like she'd been slapped.

Victoria blinked rapidly. "What... what's happening?"

 Derek pressed his forehead to the floor, his whole body shaking. "I was wrong! I was so wrong! Please accept my sincere apology!"

Ethan  stared at  Derek with complete confusion. His mind raced. What had happened to the  Enzo heir? Why was he groveling like this?

Emma found her voice. "Mr.  Enzo, I don't understand—"

"You don't need to understand!"  Derek interrupted. "Just please—please accept my apology!" He lifted his head slightly, his swollen eyes searching the room. They landed on Liam, who stood quietly at the back.

 Derek's face went pale. He immediately bowed lower, his entire upper body nearly parallel to the floor, facing Liam's direction.

"Thank you for the lesson,"  Derek said hoarsely. "I won't forget it."

Then he scrambled to his feet and fled through the door as fast as he could, nearly tripping over himself in his haste.

The door slammed shut behind him.

Nobody moved.

Nobody spoke.

Finally, someone whispered, "Did... did that really just happen?"

"Derek  Enzo just apologized," Tara said in a daze. "On his knees."

"And he restored the partnership," another relative added.

Margaret's sharp eyes narrowed. She turned to look at Liam with suspicion. "How did you—"

"Wait!" Victoria interrupted, her face suddenly lighting up. " Derek was bowing! Did you see? He bowed in that direction!" She pointed toward where Ethan  was standing.

Everyone turned to look at Ethan , who still stood beside Emma, his expression frozen.

"Of course!" Tara exclaimed. "Ethan !  Derek was bowing to Ethan !"

"The Morgan family!" someone gasped. "They must have been promoted to B-tier already!"

"That's the only explanation!" another voice chimed in. " Derek wouldn't apologize unless he was terrified of a higher-tier family!"

The room erupted in excited chatter.

"Mr. Morgan, is it true?" Margaret asked eagerly. "Has your family been promoted?"

Ethan  blinked, his mind still trying to catch up. He hadn't done anything. He'd just arrived. Why would  Derek  Enzo suddenly show up and apologize?

Unless...

A slow smile spread across Ethan 's face. Of course. His family's promotion must have leaked somehow. The  Enzos must have heard the news and panicked, rushing to make amends with anyone connected to the Morgans.

That had to be it.

"Well," Ethan  said modestly, his charming smile returning. "I didn't want to make a big announcement, but..." He paused for effect. "The Titans Global Holdings—one of the top conglomerates in the country—is opening a branch in this city."

Everyone leaned forward eagerly.

"And?" Victoria prompted.

"My family has already established contact with them," Ethan  continued smoothly. "We're in negotiations for an exclusive partnership. Once it's finalized..." He shrugged casually. "Becoming a B-tier family is just a matter of time. Probably within the next few weeks."

The room exploded with applause and cheers.

"Incredible!" Margaret breathed.

"The Morgan family is rising!" someone shouted.

"We're saved!" another voice cried out.

Victoria grabbed Emma's other arm excitedly. "Do you hear that, daughter? Ethan  is going to be B-tier! B-tier! Do you understand what that means for our family?"

Emma stood silently, her expression unreadable. She gently but firmly pulled her hand free from Ethan 's grip.

Ethan 's smile faltered slightly. "Emma?"

"Thank you, Ethan ," Emma said quietly. "For coming here and offering your help. I'm grateful."

"Then you'll—"

"But I can't accept your proposal," Emma finished softly.

The room went silent again.

Ethan 's jaw tightened. For a brief moment, something dark flashed in his eyes—anger, wounded pride, frustration. But he quickly smoothed his expression back into a polite smile.

"I see," he said carefully. "May I ask why?"

Emma's eyes flickered briefly toward Liam, who stood motionless at the back of the room. "I'm already married."

"To him?" Ethan  couldn't keep the disgust from his voice. "Emma, be reasonable. You could have so much more than—"

"I said no, Ethan ."

Ethan  stared at her for a long moment. Then he took a deep breath and forced his smile wider. "Very well. I respect your decision." His voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it now. "I'll give you some time to think about it. Perhaps when you've had a chance to consider everything more carefully..."

"I don't need time," Emma said firmly.

Ethan 's smile became strained. "Nevertheless, I'll wait. I'm a patient man." He nodded to the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, I should be going. I have business to attend to."

Victoria rushed forward. "Ethan , please don't leave! Stay for breakfast! We can—"

"Another time, Mrs. Harper." Ethan 's tone was polite but cold. He walked toward the door, then paused and glanced back at Emma. "Think about what I said. I won't wait forever."

He left, closing the door softly behind him.

The moment he was gone, Victoria whirled on Emma. "Are you INSANE?!"

"Mother—"

"Do you have any idea what you just threw away?!" Victoria screamed. "A B-tier family! B-TIER! And you rejected him for THIS?!" She jabbed her finger at Liam. "For this worthless animal?!"

Liam said nothing. His expression remained calm, but his eyes were cold as ice.

Emma looked at him across the room. For just a moment, their eyes met.

And in that moment, Emma wondered.

How had  Derek  Enzo known to apologize? How had the problem been solved so quickly?

And why had  Derek bowed in Liam's direction?