The Billionaire Hidden in Plain Sight

Chapter Three

Derek  Enzo stared at Liam with terror in his eyes. The arrogance had drained from his face completely, replaced by raw fear.

"Please,"  Derek whispered, his voice cracking. "Please, I didn't know—I didn't realize—"

His knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the floor.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"  Derek pressed his forehead to the ground, his expensive suit wrinkling against the marble. "I'll fix everything! I'll restore the partnership with the Harper family immediately! I'll transfer the money back tonight!"

Liam looked down at him without expression.

"I'll go to Mrs. Harper myself!"  Derek continued desperately. "I'll apologize in person! I'll get on my knees and beg for forgiveness! Whatever you want! Just please—please make it stop!"

Liam let the silence stretch for a long moment.

"This is a small lesson," he finally said, his voice cold. "Next time you target innocent people, remember what happened today."

"Yes! Yes, I understand! Thank you! Thank you!"  Derek babbled, still pressed against the floor.

Liam turned and walked out of the destroyed office without another word.

When Liam returned home, the house was dark and quiet. He checked Emma's bedroom—the door was closed, a thin line of darkness beneath it. She was already asleep.

Good. She needed rest.

Liam didn't disturb her. He went to his own small room and lay down, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow, Emma would discover that her company's problems had vanished overnight. She wouldn't know why, and he wouldn't tell her.

Not yet.

Morning came too quickly.

Liam woke to raised voices in the living room. He checked the time—barely seven a.m. Frowning, he got dressed and stepped out.

The scene before him made his jaw tighten.

At least a dozen people crowded the living room. At the center sat an elderly woman with sharp eyes and a pinched expression—Margaret Harper, Emma's grandmother and the family matriarch. She lounged on the best chair like it was a throne, her arms crossed over her chest.

Emma stood near the stairs, still in her nightclothes with a thin robe wrapped around her. Dark circles shadowed her eyes. She looked exhausted.

"This is what happens when you give power to someone too young," Margaret was saying loudly, her voice dripping with contempt. "I should never have let you take control of the company, Emma. You've run it into the ground!"

"Grandmother, I can explain—" Emma began.

"Explain?" Margaret scoffed. "What's there to explain? The  Enzo family pulled out! We're losing millions! Our reputation is destroyed!"

A young woman sitting beside Margaret smirked—Tara Harper, Emma's cousin. She was dressed in designer clothes, her makeup perfect even at this early hour. "I told you she wasn't ready for the responsibility," Tara said sweetly. "Some people just aren't meant to lead."

"Be quiet, Tara," Emma said tiredly. "I'm handling it."

"Handling it?" Tara stood up, her voice rising. "You're handling it? The company is about to collapse, and you're handling it?" She turned to Margaret. "Grandmother, you need to remove Emma as company president. Give the position to someone who actually knows what they're doing."

"Someone like you?" Emma asked coldly.

"Why not?" Tara shot back. "At least I wouldn't have destroyed everything Grandfather built!"

Several other family members murmured in agreement.

Margaret nodded slowly. "Perhaps Tara is right. Emma, I think it's time you stepped down and—"

"No."

Everyone turned.

Liam had stepped forward, moving to stand beside Emma. He positioned himself slightly in front of her, his expression calm but firm.

"What did you say?" Margaret's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"I said no," Liam repeated. "Emma is not stepping down."

The room erupted in laughter.

"Oh, this is rich!" Tara cackled. "The useless live-in son-in-law thinks he has a say in family matters!"

"Who does this parasite think he is?" another relative called out.

"Crawl back to the kitchen where you belong!" someone else shouted.

Margaret's face twisted with disgust. "You dare speak in this house? You, who contributes nothing? You're like a stray dog we took pity on. Now sit down and be silent, or I'll have you thrown out on the street where you belong."

Liam didn't move. He stood his ground, his eyes meeting Margaret's without flinching.

Emma's hand touched his arm gently. "Liam," she said quietly. "It's okay. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but..." She sighed softly. "You can't help with this."

Liam glanced at her. For a moment, something flickered in Emma's eyes—a brief spark of gratitude, maybe even warmth. But it faded quickly, replaced by resignation.

He had courage, she thought. But courage without power was meaningless.

Liam opened his mouth to respond when—

BANG!

The front door slammed open.

"Who DARES ask my daughter to give up her position?!"

Victoria Harper stormed in like a hurricane, her face flushed with anger. But she wasn't alone.

Behind her stood a tall, handsome man in an immaculate suit. His dark hair was styled perfectly, his shoes polished to a mirror shine. He carried himself with the easy confidence of someone who had never been told no.

Ethan Morgan.

The room fell silent.

"Ethan !" Tara breathed, her eyes going wide.

"Mr. Morgan is here!" someone whispered excitedly.

Ethan  walked into the living room with a charming smile, his eyes scanning the crowd before landing on Emma. "Good morning, everyone. I apologize for the early visit."

Victoria beamed with pride. "Ethan  has come to help our family through this crisis!"

Cheers erupted. People rushed forward to shake Ethan 's hand, to thank him, to praise him.

"The Morgan family is C-tier!" someone said in awe.

"With his help, we're saved!"

"This is wonderful news!"

Margaret's stern expression softened. "Ethan , you honor us with your presence."

Ethan inclined his head graciously. "It's my pleasure, Mrs. Harper." He turned to Victoria. "I heard about the company's troubles and came as soon as I could."

Victoria grabbed Emma's arm and pulled her forward. "You see, Emma? Ethan  is only helping because of YOU. Because he cares about you." She glared at the rest of the family. "So my daughter will NOT be stepping down as company president. She stays in charge, and Ethan  will help her fix everything!"

Tara's face went red, but she said nothing.

Margaret nodded slowly. "If Ethan  is willing to help... then perhaps Emma can remain in her position."

"Thank you, Grandmother," Emma said quietly, though her cheeks were burning with embarrassment.

Ethan  stepped closer to her, his smile warm and gentle. "Emma," he said softly. "I've been thinking about this for a long time. I know your family has faced challenges, but I want to help. Not just with the company..." He took her hand. "But with everything."

The room went completely silent.

"Marry me, Emma," Ethan  said tenderly. "Be my wife. Let me take care of you and your family. You'll never have to struggle again."

Victoria gasped with joy. Several relatives started clapping.

Emma froze, her hand trapped in Ethan 's grip. She didn't know what to say.

Then a cold voice cut through the air like a knife.

"I disagree."

Everyone turned to stare at Liam.

His expression was ice. His eyes were locked on Ethan 's hand holding Emma's.

"Excuse me?" Ethan  said, his smile faltering.

"I said," Liam repeated, his voice deadly calm, "I disagree."