The Hidden Billionaire

CHAPTER 2: BETRAYAL

A tall man in an expensive suit walked down the hallway.

Scott Black.

The moment Ava saw him, some of the tension on her face eased.

"Scott..."

Thomas's expression darkened immediately.

"What are you doing here?"

Before Scott could answer, Ava spoke first.

"I called him."

Scott stopped beside her and smiled politely. "I heard what happened to Emma. I've already spoken to the hospital director. She'll get the best treatment available."

Then he pulled out a black card.

"As for the hospital bills, I'll take care of everything."

Thomas stepped forward at once.

"My daughter doesn't need your money."

Scott looked him up and down. His eyes lingered on Thomas's cheap clothes and bloodstained shirt before he spoke calmly.

"Can you pay for it yourself?"

The question hit harder than a punch.

Thomas's jaw tightened, but no words came out.

"If it wasn't for Ava," Scott continued, "I wouldn't even bother." Ava let out a tired sigh and lightly held Scott's arm.

"Forget it. Let's go see Emma."

The two walked toward the ward together.

Thomas remained where he was.

The nurses nearby whispered among themselves. A few glanced at him before quickly looking away.

Thomas lowered his eyes to the dried blood on his hands.

Money, everything came back to money.

Without it, he couldn't protect his daughter. He couldn't pay the hospital bills. He couldn't even stop another man from stepping in to solve his family's problems.

After standing there for a while, Thomas took out his phone and made another call.

The line connected after a few rings.

"Hello?"

The familiar voice almost made Thomas lose control of his emotions.

"Jake..."

Jake Hill had been his closest friend since college. After graduation, they had both become teachers at Meadow Hall Academy. Thomas taught high school students, while Jake taught elementary school.

"What's wrong?" Jake asked.

There was loud music and laughter in the background.

Thomas gripped the phone tightly.

"Can you lend me some money?"

The words felt heavy coming out of his mouth.

If it wasn't for Emma, he would never have asked.

There was a brief silence.

Thomas forced a smile.

"It's okay if you can't. I know things aren't easy for you either…"

"Thomas, shut up."

Jake cut him off immediately.

"What kind of brothers are we?"

Thomas froze.

"I already heard what happened to Emma," Jake said angrily. "Those rich brats have gone too far."

For the first time that day, some of the weight on Thomas's chest eased.

"I've got fifteen thousand dollars saved up. Come get it."

Thomas closed his eyes.

"Jake... thank you."

"I'll pay you back."

"If we're keeping score between brothers, then what's the point of being friends?"

A small smile appeared on Thomas's face.

Then Jake added, "I'm outside the city right now. No signal for transfers. You'll have to come get the card yourself."

"Where are you?"

"Higlas Town."

Thomas paused.

Higlas Town was far from Lake City, surrounded by hills and rough roads. But he didn't hesitate.

"I'll be there."

After hanging up, Thomas left the hospital. He glanced at the taxi stand outside before checking his wallet. The little money inside wasn't enough. In the end, he walked over to his old bicycle.

The rusty chain squeaked the moment he started pedaling.

Hours passed.

The roads became rougher the farther he traveled. Cold wind hit his face. Sweat soaked through his shirt. His stomach growled from hunger, and his throat felt dry enough to crack.

Still, he kept going.

Every time he thought about stopping, Emma's bandaged face appeared in his mind.

"Mom... don't blame Dad."

By the time he arrived at Higlas Town, the sun was already setting.

Thomas immediately called Jake.

"I'm here. Where are you?"

Jake answered quickly.

"At the top of the hill. We're spending the night here."

Thomas looked up at the dark hill ahead.

"Alright. Wait for me."

The climb was even worse than the ride.

Loose stones rolled beneath his feet. Thorn bushes scratched his arms and legs. More than once, he slipped and nearly fell.

But he kept climbing.

Emma needed treatment.

Nothing else mattered.

By the time he finally reached the top, darkness had started spreading across the sky.

Thomas bent over, breathing hard.

"Jake?"

He looked around.

Nobody.

The hilltop was completely empty.

A bad feeling crept into his chest.

He quickly called Jake again.

The call connected.

"Jake, I'm here. Where are you?"

For a moment, there was silence.

Then laughter exploded from the speaker.

"Hahaha! He actually climbed all the way up!"

"I thought he'd quit halfway!"

Thomas froze.

The voices were familiar.

Too familiar.

Edward Wright.

Greg Brooks.

The same students who had bullied Emma.

A chill ran through him.

Then Edward's voice came through again.

"Mr. Thomas, do you like our little surprise?"

Thomas's hand tightened around the phone.

"If you have a problem, come at me!" he shouted. "Why drag my daughter into this?"

Greg laughed.

"Your friend was pretty useful. We told him what to do, and he listened."

Thomas's face slowly lost all color.

"Jake..."

"Hahaha!" Edward laughed. "Don't be so angry, Mr. Thomas. We're just having fun."

"Our last homeroom teacher didn't even last a month," Greg added. "Let's see how long you survive."

The group burst into laughter.

A few moments later, Edward spoke again.

"Forget this loser. Didn't you say there are girls waiting at Temple Club?"

"Let's go."

Their laughter faded into the distance.

Soon, only silence remained.

The wind blew across the hilltop.

Thomas stood there without moving.

After a long time, he finally spoke.

"Jake..."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"Why?"

Several seconds passed.

Then Jake sighed.

"Thomas... I'm sorry."

"We're brothers."

Thomas stared into the darkness.

"We've known each other for years."

"Brothers?"

Jake laughed.

But there was no warmth in it.

"Take a good look at yourself, Thomas."

The words hit like a knife.

"What can someone like you do for me?"

Jake continued coldly.

"You're broke. Nobody respects you. Everybody looks down on you."

Thomas remained silent.

"Do you know how much Edward paid me?"

Thomas already knew the answer wouldn't be small.

"Ten thousand dollars."

Jake laughed.

"That's more than you make in a month."

The cuts on Thomas's arms burned, but he barely felt them anymore.

"In this world, money matters more than friendship," Jake said.

"If someone pays enough, I'll happily be their dog."

Then came the final blow.

"People like you were born to be stepped on, Thomas Brown."

The call ended.

Thomas stood alone on the hill.

The wind brushed past him.

His clothes were dirty. His body ached. Fresh scratches covered his arms and legs.

But none of that compared to what he felt inside.

His best friend had sold him for ten thousand dollars.

Slowly, Thomas sat down on the cold ground.

For years, he had convinced himself that hard work was enough. That friendship mattered. That people would treat each other with decency.

Tonight, reality proved otherwise.

Without money, people looked down on you.

Without power, even loyalty had a price.

After a long time, Thomas pulled out his phone again.

His thumb stopped on a number he hadn't touched in eleven years.

An old number.

A number connected to a life he had walked away from long ago.

Thomas stared at the screen in silence.