The Hidden Billionaire

CHAPTER 3: GOING BACK

His thumb hovered over the number. For a moment, Thomas didn't move.

Memories rushed through his mind.

His father's angry face. The huge argument that shook the entire Brown family.

The suitcase he carried out of the house. And the promise he made before walking away.

"I don't need the family money."

"I'll make it on my own."

Eleven years had passed since that day.

Thomas let out a long breath and pressed call.

The phone rang four times before someone answered.

"Hello?"

An old voice came through the speaker.

Thomas's throat tightened.

"David..."

There was a loud crash on the other end, as if someone had jumped to their feet.

"Young Master?!"

The old man's voice trembled.

"Young Master, is that really you?"

"It's me."

Thomas closed his eyes.

Saying those two words felt harder than climbing the mountain.

David sounded excited and emotional at the same time.

"It's been eleven years! You finally contacted us!"

Thomas leaned against a nearby rock.

"I'm in some trouble."

There was a brief silence before he added, "Can you borrow me some money?"

"Borrow you money?"

David sounded completely shocked.

"Young Master, everything the Brown family owns already belongs to you."

"Just come home."

Thomas laughed softly.

Years ago, he had left because he wanted freedom. He wanted to prove he could build a life without his father's name behind him.

But what had all those years given him?

His daughter was in a hospital bed. His wife had lost faith in him. His best friend had sold him for ten thousand dollars.

Maybe it was time to stop proving a point.

"David," he said quietly. "Where are you?"

The old man's voice immediately brightened.

"I'm at Velox Group Headquarters. I'll come pick you up right now."

"No need."

Thomas pushed himself to his feet.

The exhaustion was still there, but something inside him had changed.

"Wait for me."

After ending the call, he stood alone on the hilltop.

The wind blew against his face.

A few minutes ago, he had felt like the whole world was crushing him.

Now, for the first time in years, his back slowly straightened.

Lake City had forgotten who Thomas Brown really was.

Soon, they would remember.

Because the only son of billionaire Michael Brown was finally coming home.

…

At exactly nine o'clock that night, Thomas stepped into Velox Group Headquarters.

The tallest building in Lake City was still brightly lit. Employees moved in and out of the lobby while expensive cars lined the entrance outside.

Compared to them, Thomas looked completely out of place. His clothes were dirty from climbing the mountain. Dust covered his shoes, and several scratches were visible on his arms.

The moment he entered, a sharp voice stopped him.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going?"

A woman in office clothes walked over, her face full of disgust.

She looked Thomas up and down and frowned.

"If you're here to beg for money, go outside."

Thomas rubbed his temples.

"I'm here to see someone."

Emily laughed.

"You?"

Her eyes swept over his wrinkled shirt.

"This is Velox Group, not a homeless shelter."

Several employees nearby looked over.

Thomas ignored them.

"I need to see David Torres."

Emily burst into laughter.

"Mr. Torres?"

Before she could continue, a large man in a security uniform walked over.

The head of security, Allen Young.

Emily immediately pointed at Thomas.

"This guy sneaked in and refuses to leave."

Allen looked Thomas over before waving his hand impatiently.

"Get out."

"I'm here to see David Torres."

Allen laughed.

"Our CEO?"

Thomas raised an eyebrow.

"David's the CEO now?"

That only made Allen laugh harder.

"You don't even know he's the CEO, and you expect me to believe you know him?"

"Last warning. Leave."

Thomas stared at him for a second before pulling out his phone, then he made a call.

The line connected almost immediately.

"Old man," Thomas said calmly, "your people won't let me in."

His voice echoed through the lobby.

"If you're not downstairs in a minute, I'm leaving."

Silence.

Emily blinked.

Allen's face darkened.

"You little…”

He grabbed Thomas by the collar.

"You trying to get me fired?"

Thomas looked at him calmly.

"In less than a minute, you'll be apologizing." Allen laughed angrily and raised his fist.

Then…”

"STOP!"

The shout echoed through the lobby.

Everyone turned.

An elderly man in a black suit hurried out of a private elevator surrounded by assistants.

The moment Allen saw him, his face turned pale.

"Chairman!"

David Torres walked straight toward Thomas.

Allen quickly released him.

"Chairman, this man sneaked into the company. I was just about to throw him out.

Emily quickly jumped in.

"Chairman, I was protecting the company. He looked suspicious!"

Then, wanting to show off, she even shoved Thomas lightly.

"If you don't leave right now, I'll call the police."

Thomas didn't react.

He simply looked at David.

The next second, David bowed deeply.

"Young Master."

The entire lobby froze.

"You've suffered all these years."

Emily's face lost all color.

Allen nearly collapsed.

Young Master?

The filthy man they had mocked was the Young Master?

David slowly straightened and looked at them coldly.

"Apologize."

Allen immediately dropped to his knees.

"Young Master, I'm sorry!"

Cold sweat ran down his face.

Emily was shaking so badly she could barely stand.

"I didn't know..."

Thomas glanced at them briefly.

"People like this hurt the company's reputation."

David nodded.

"Fire them."

Then he turned to his assistant.

"Make sure they're blacklisted."

Emily collapsed onto the floor.

Allen looked like all the blood had drained from his body.

But Thomas had already lost interest.

"Let's go upstairs."

Inside the chairman's office, David personally poured him a cup of coffee. Thomas took a sip and smiled faintly.

"I haven't had coffee this good in years."

David looked at the scratches on Thomas's arms and the dirt on his clothes.

Pain flashed across his face.

"Young Master, what happened to you?"

Thomas waved him off.

"I'm fine."

Then he got straight to the point.

"I need money."

David immediately pulled out a contract.

"Sign this."

Thomas looked down at the document.

The same inheritance agreement he had rejected eleven years ago.

Back then, he had walked away without reading it.

Tonight, he signed without hesitation.

David's hands trembled as he took the papers back.

He had waited more than a decade for this moment.

Thomas leaned back.

"So where's the money?"

David snapped out of his excitement.

"Right away."

A few seconds later, Thomas's phone vibrated.

$150,000,000.

Thomas looked at the number and laughed.

The hospital bill that almost crushed him earlier now looked insignificant.

"Still generous as always."

He stood up.

"I'll keep my promise. But don't interfere with my life."

David nodded immediately.

"Of course, Young Master."

After Thomas left, David quickly opened his laptop and started a video call.

An elderly man appeared on the screen.

David could barely hide his excitement.

"Sir."

He smiled broadly.

"The Young Master signed the contract."