The Billionaire Hidden in Plain Sight

Chapter Two

Liam’s phone vibrated. Thirty seconds had passed since his call to Ryan.

“Sir, I have the information.” Ryan’s voice was crisp. “It’s the Enzo family—a C-tier clan. They pulled their investment from the Harper partnership three days ago.”

“Details.”

“Nicholas Enzo withdrew fifty million at the worst possible moment. The Harpers needed that money for their factory expansion. Without it they can’t pay suppliers or workers.”

Liam’s fingers tightened around the phone. “Why?”

“His son—Derek Enzo. He’s been obsessed with Mrs. Harper for months. He told Nicholas to squeeze the family until she… agrees to meet him.”

“Where?”

“Tomorrow evening. His private suite at the Grand Imperial Hotel. Suite 1506.”

A cold smile touched Liam’s lips. “Interesting.”

“Sir, Derek specifically said Mrs. Harper must come alone if she wants the partnership restored.”

“I see.” Liam’s voice could freeze blood. “Send the car.”

“It’s already outside, sir.”

He ended the call and walked out. A black Bentley idled at the curb, engine purring. The driver nodded as Liam slid into the back seat.

“Enzo Development Corp headquarters,” Liam said.

“Yes, sir. Estimated arrival in twelve minutes.”

The city lights blurred past. Liam’s face remained composed, but his eyes held low thunder.

The Enzo building loomed—thirty floors of glass and steel. The Bentley stopped at the main entrance.

“Wait here,” Liam told the driver.

Two security guards blocked the lobby door. “Building’s closed. Come back tomorrow.”

“Move.”

“Listen, buddy, I don’t know who you think you are—”

Eight men in black suits stepped from the shadows and put the guards down before they could reach for radios. Liam stepped over them, calm and efficient.

“Which floor is Derek Enzo’s office?” he asked.

One guard wheezed, “Twenty… twenty-eighth.”

“Thank you.”

The private elevator opened as if it had been waiting. The twenty-eighth floor doors parted onto an opulent hallway. Liam walked to the corner office. Gold letters read: DEREK ENZO— EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT.

He kicked the door open.

The mahogany door slammed against the wall with a crash that shook the paintings.

“What the hell—” a man barked.

Derek Enzo scrambled off the leather couch, pants half-zipped. A woman who’d been on the couch leapt to her feet, clutching her dress to cover herself and stumbling toward the door.

“Who the hell are you?” Derek shouted, rage and panic warping his features. “Do you know whose office this is? I’ll have you killed!”

Liam stepped in, hands relaxed at his sides. “You must be Derek Enzo.”

“Damn right I am! And you’re a dead man!” Derek’s accent tightened with fury. “Security! SECURITY!”

“They’re taking a nap,” Liam said, eyes flicking to the crystal paperweight on the desk. “Nice office. Shame you won’t be using it much longer.”

The woman fled in heels.

“You think you can just walk in here?” Derek grabbed a golf club from the corner. “I own this city! My family controls half the businesses!”

“Really?” Liam’s smile was polite and empty. “Tell me—are you the one targeting the Harper family?”

Derek snorted. “The Harpers? Those pathetic nobodies?” He swung the club through the air. “Yeah, I’m squeezing them dry. So what?”

“Why?” Liam asked.

“Why?” Derek’s eyes glittered with hunger. “Have you seen Emma Harper? She thinks she’s untouchable. When her family’s begging on the streets, she’ll come crawling.”

Liam’s expression did not change. “I see.”

“Tomorrow night, she’ll be in my bed. And there’s nothing—NOTHING—you can do about it!” Derek roared.

“You have two choices,” Liam said quietly, conversational. “One—immediately restore full cooperation with the Harper family. Then kneel and apologize for your actions.”

Derek stared, then barked hysterical laughter. “Kneel? KNEEL? You’re insane!”

“Two—watch the Enzo empire crumble within the hour.”

“You… you think you can threaten ME?” Derek’s face flushed. “My family has connections everywhere! Judges, police, politicians! We’re untouchable!”

Liam pulled out his phone. “Ryan. Begin.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Begin what?” Derek sneered. “Making prank calls?”

Liam set the phone on speaker and placed it on the desk.

“—You’re nobody!” Derek raised the club. “Just another piece of trash who—”

He swung.

Liam moved like water. His hand shot out, caught the club mid-swing, and with a single twist snapped it in two.

“Impossible—” Derek wheezed as Liam’s palm struck his chest; the heir flew back into his executive chair.

“You… you barely touched me,” Derek panted.

“That was a love tap.” Liam straightened his cuffs. “Try again?”

“I’ll destroy you!” Derek fumbled for his phone. “I’ll call every connection! You’ll beg for death before I’m done!”

“Please do.”

Derek’s phone rang before he could dial. The name George Bellington flashed on the screen—one of Enzo Development’s biggest clients.

“Mr. Bellington!” Derek answered, desperation seeping into his voice. “Perfect timing! I need you to—”

“SHUT UP!” A booming voice exploded through the line. “You stupid, arrogant fool!”

Derek’s face drained. “Sir?”

“Do you know what you’ve done? WHO you’ve offended?”

“I don’t understand—”

“Bellington Industries is terminating all contracts with Enzo Development Corp. Effective immediately.”

“What? No! We have a fifty-year partnership!”

“HAD. Past tense. Because of your stupidity, it’s over.”

“Mr. Bellington, please! This is a misunderstanding!”

“Misunderstanding?” The contempt was audible. “You targeted someone under HIS protection. Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with?”

“Who? WHO?” Derek looked wildly at Liam.

“Pray you never find out.” The line went dead.

Derek’s phone rang again. Another client. Then another. And another.

“Alex Manufacturing is withdrawing…”

“Langford Logistics will no longer…”

“Westmont Holdings cannot continue…”

Each call delivered the same verdict: fury, termination, the threat of lawsuits.

Derek’s hands shook after the fifth call ended. “This… this is impossible. You can’t— in five minutes—”

“That was four minutes,” Liam checked his watch. “You still have fifty-six minutes left.”

“Who ARE you?” Derek whispered.

Liam walked to the window and looked down at the city lights. “Someone who doesn’t appreciate people making his wife cry.”

“Your… your wife?” Derek’s color left his face. “Emma Harper is—”

“Mine.”

The single word hung in the room like a blade.

Derek’s phone rang again. This one read: FATHER.

He answered with trembling fingers.

“Derek!” Nicholas Enzo’s roar flooded the receiver. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?”

“Papa, I—”

“Our stock is crashing! Major partners are pulling out! Twenty years of contracts—GONE!”

“It’s not my fault! This man—”

“FIX THIS! NOW! Or I’ll throw you out of the family myself!”

The call ended.