The Hidden Billionaire

CHAPTER 10

After Peter’s dirty thoughts got exposed, he tried to play it cool and smiled awkwardly. “Come on, we’re all guys here. It’s normal to think that way,” he said.

But Murphy wasn’t having it. He gave Peter a serious warning, “Whatever you’re planning, drop it now. If you don’t handle this, don’t even think about showing up again.” Then he hung up the phone, feeling nervous too. Why? Because David, Lake City’s top boss had already warned him not to cause any trouble. Murphy didn’t know who the woman Peter was messing with really was, but if David was stepping in, she had to be related to someone powerful.

After ending the call, Peter felt like he had a rock in his stomach. He glanced at Ava, who was about to leave, and hurriedly chased after her, his expression was a mix of guilt and panic. Ava flinched when he came up to her. “What do you want now? Keep it up and I’ll call the cops!” she snapped.

"Mrs. Ava, you've misunderstood. We were supposed to discuss the project, remember Turns out the contract is totally fine" Peter said, trying to sound convincing. Ava looked at him suspiciously. His sudden change of attitude didn’t make sense. Still, she decided to go with it. “Alright, she brought out the contract. Let’s get this over with.”

Peter was still confused about how his boss had found out about the situation, but he knew he couldn’t afford to mess this up. Ava brought the contract, and to her surprise, Peter grabbed it fast, signed it even faster, and handed it right back sweating the whole time..

After handing the contract back to Ava, he practically ran out the door. Everything was happening so fast that Ava stood there, stunned, staring at the contract. She couldn't believe that he just signed this contract.

Soon, she burst into laughter. With this project, she would earn a commission worth thousands, which meant Emma’s medical expenses would be taken care of. She wouldn't have to worry about the aftercare anymore. However, Ava could tell that someone powerful had helped her behind the scenes. If it weren't for that, this contract wouldn't have been signed so easily.

Who could it be?

Ava furrowed her brow, a face flashing through her mind, Scott Black. The last time she met with Scott, she had casually mentioned this contract in passing. Could it be that he remembered and pulled some strings?

Curiosity gnawed at Ava as she considered this possibility. As she wondered, her thoughts shifted to her husband, Thomas. The moment she thought about him, her face turned cold. There was no way that loser helped. All he ever did was hide behind her and do nothing. If not for their daughter Emma, she would’ve left him already.

No one could think that her pathetic husband had helped her. Disgust washed over Ava’s face, she had never hated Thomas as much as she did now. How could she have not seen how useless he was before?

Still, she had to thank Scott. If it weren't for him, this contract would likely not have been signed so easily.

Back at home, Thomas had no clue any of this was going on. Worse, his wife was giving the credit to someone else. If he ever found out, he’d be heartbroken or furious. All the work he had done was being completely overlooked. He could never have anticipated that things had spiraled out of his control.

Just then, David called him again.

“Hey, come meet a client with me,” David said.

Thomas didn’t really want to, but David cut him off. “You promised me. Besides, haven’t I helped you out lately?”

Thomas sighed. “Alright, alright. Come pick me up.”

David was thrilled. “Awesome! I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Thomas looked at his phone and chuckled. David might’ve been older, but he acted like an excited teenager sometimes. A few minutes later, David pulled up to his place, and Thomas hopped in.

At the same time, Ava’s sister, Emily, happened to be nearby. She wasn’t planning to visit Emma, but their parents pressured her. As she walked up, she saw Thomas getting into a Range Rover.

Her jaw dropped. “What the heck? How does he know someone with a car like that?” she muttered. “Must be a mistake. That bum’s probably still begging for lunch money somewhere.”

In the car, Thomas asked David, “So, who are we meeting?”

David smiled. “A friend of mine. He’s having a little business issue and wants to talk. Also, he’s kind of a big deal in the calligraphy world. Famous, respected—you know the type.”

Thomas wasn’t impressed. “Alright, I already said I’d come. I’ll take a nap. Wake me when we get there.”

David just nodded.

Meanwhile, outside a company building, a huge crowd was gathering. Everyone was shocked to see a billionaire, Mr. Keira, standing there waiting with his son Andrew.

“Isn’t that Mr. Keira?” someone whispered. “Why’s a guy like him waiting outside like this?”

Andrew, sweating in the sun, was getting irritated. “Dad, this guy’s late. Who are we even waiting for?”

“Watch your tone,” Mr. Keira warned. “This deal is important. If you mess it up, you’ll regret it.”

Andrew nodded, but he was still annoyed. “Fine, fine. I just want to see who this big-shot is.”

Back in David’s car, Thomas woke up and saw the crowd. “I thought this was supposed to be private. Why’s it look like a press conference?”

David looked ahead and said calmly, “Looks like this guy’s really serious about the partnership.”