The Billionaire's Hidden Son-in-Law

Chapter 5: Power Walks In Rags

“Drag that thief out!” Victoria screamed as two of the estate’s uniformed security men held Michael by the arms, dragging him like a criminal across the marble floor of the Donovan villa.

He didn’t fight. His face stayed calm, almost too calm for a man being thrown out of the place he’d once called home.

The humiliation wasn’t new, but this one bit deeper.

“What did I even steal?” Michael asked quietly, trying to look up.

“Shut up!” Victoria barked. “You’re lucky I don’t call the police. Next time, you’ll learn not to touch what doesn’t belong to you.”

The staff looked on, some shaking their heads with pity, others pretending not to see anything.

Just then, a loud hum pierced the air. The sound of a powerful engine approaching.

A black Rolls-Royce Phantom, sleek and majestic, rolled through the front gates and into the compound. Victoria’s face changed immediately. She squinted, her mouth slowly falling open as the vehicle came to a smooth stop.

“Jesus…” she muttered, eyes wide. “It’s Dad!”

Inside the car, Henry Donovan sat with dark glasses, a blanket over his lap. The moment he stepped out with the help of his driver, Victoria nearly choked on her own spit.

“Let him go! Let him go now!” she whispered fiercely to the guards. “Are you mad? Do you want him to see you dragging that boy like that?”

The guards immediately released Michael, who dropped to the ground, his shirt dusty and his arms sore. Victoria leaned toward him sharply.

“Run back to your quarters. Now,” she hissed, her voice low and angry. “Clean your face. Stay out of sight.”

Michael looked at her for a long second, then slowly stood and limped away, not saying a word.

By the time Henry entered the house, everyone was already pretending.

Victoria was smiling like a dutiful daughter.

Sophia had just finished reapplying her lipstick. Bohemia, tall and broad-shouldered, sat confidently on the sofa, his arm lazily resting across the backrest behind Sophia.

Bohemia was not just some random man. He was the second son of the Gabara family, one of the most influential business dynasties in the city. Rich, connected, and proud. The family was the kind that made headlines without trying.

With everyone now seated, Henry turned to Bohemia. “Bohemia,” he called. “Could you kindly excuse us for a moment?”

Bohemia sat up, feeling shocked. He thought his presence in this family should’ve been a blessing. Why was Henry chasing him out? He quickly darted his shocking and disappointing gaze to Sophia.

Sophia tried to argue, but the venomous look on his father’s face made her flinch. She nodded at Bohemia who now quietly stood up and left the room.

“Where’s Michael?” Henry asked immediately after settling in the centre of the living room. His lawyer was already seated beside him with a briefcase.

Everyone looked around.

“Michael?” Henry repeated, removing his glasses. His eyes scanned the room.

Sophia shifted uncomfortably. “He’s… probably busy.”

Henry frowned.

“This meeting cannot continue without him,” he said. “Someone go and call him. Now.”

Sophia was furious. How can her father place so much importance in a ‘nobody’ and despised Bohemia - the man she loved?

The lawyer cleared his throat and added, “Yes, Mr. Donovan is right. Legally, Mr. Michael must be present.”

Whispers followed instantly.

Their mother weren’t invited. She was divorced five years ago, after being caught cheating with another man. Henry was furious, pained and he did not only divorce her, he cut her his wealth.

But even as she was out of the family, she still kept tabs with her daughters.

Sophia scoffed and leaned forward slightly. “Why would a cleaner need to be here?”

Victoria looked like she had swallowed pepper. Her eyes darted to her sister, then to her father. With her heart racing, she stood slowly.

“I’ll get him,” she said with a forced smile.

She stormed out, her heels clicking hard against the tiles, louder than necessary.

---

Michael was in the servant quarters, still in his dusty cleaning clothes. He was rinsing a mop when the door flung open.

“Come out,” Victoria snapped.

He turned, wiping his hand with a towel. “Why?”

“Because my Dad said so!” she barked. “Come now before he starts asking questions.”

Michael followed quietly, wiping his hands again as he walked behind her.

When they stepped into the living room, the atmosphere shifted.

Every eye turned.

He was still wearing his stained shirt and old trousers. His shoes were wet, leaving faint footprints behind. Murmurs followed him, whispers like knives pricking the air.

Michael kept his head low. His hands were clasped in front of him, but his back stayed straight. Not in pride, but in quiet resistance.

Henry smiled faintly the moment he saw him.

“There you are,” he said, ignoring every whisper.

Michael bowed his head slightly. “Good evening, master.”

Henry motioned for him to come closer.

“Sit beside me,” he said.

Sophia gasped.

“Dad, what is going on?”

But before Henry could respond, a sudden, violent cough burst from his throat. It shook his chest so hard that the blanket on his lap fell to the floor.

“Dad?” Victoria rushed to his side.

Another cough followed, louder, deeper and this time, blood splattered across Henry’s white handkerchief. Thick, red and terrifying.

“Call the doctor!” Sophia screamed, rising to her feet.

The lawyer stood too, alarmed. “Mr. Donovan!”

The whole room turned into chaos. Bohemia rushed back inside, taking in the shocking scene.

Michael froze.

He couldn’t move.

He couldn’t breathe.

The man who had given him everything, even if through silence, even if through hard lessons, was gasping for air.

Henry’s eyes found Michael’s again, watery and tired, but still holding that same fire, the same belief.

People panicked around him.

Sophia was already in tears.

Victoria was pacing and shouting instructions.

Michael knelt beside the couch, gripping Henry’s arm gently.

“Stay with us, sir,” he whispered.

But the coughs kept coming.

And then, silence took over the room.

A cold, terrifying silence that wrapped the room in fear.