The Hidden Billionaire

CHAPTER 4: DISAPPOINTMENT

A quiet voice echoed from a large office far away.

On the laptop screen, an old man sat silently for a few seconds before leaning back in his chair. He rubbed his forehead and let out a long sigh.

“Alright,” he said at last. “Go ahead with the plan.”

David finally relaxed.

“Sir, should we send people to protect the young master?”

The old man shook his head.

“No.”

His voice was calm but firm.

“If we interfere too much, he’ll only push us away. Thomas isn’t a child anymore. Let him handle things his own way.”

“Yes, sir.”

The call ended.

Within minutes, confidential emails were sent throughout Velox Group.

Branch presidents.

Regional directors.

Senior executives.

Everyone received the same message.

Thomas Brown, sole heir of the Brown family, has officially taken over Velox Group.

___At Lake City Hospital ___

Thomas hurried toward Emma’s ward. His clothes were still dirty from the trip. The scratches on his arms hadn’t been treated, and his legs ached from hours of climbing and riding.

But none of that mattered.

The moment he reached the room, he stopped.

Through the small glass window, he saw Ava sitting beside Emma’s bed. Scott Black was standing next to her.

The two were talking quietly.

At one point, Ava even smiled.

Thomas’s grip tightened around the door handle. Then he pushed the door open.

The sound made both of them turn.

Ava’s smile disappeared.

“Thomas.”

Her voice instantly sharpened.

“Do you know what time it is?”

She stood up.

“You’ve been gone all day. Emma is in the hospital, and you just disappear?”

Scott sat comfortably in his chair and crossed one leg over the other.

“Easy, Ava.”

He looked at Thomas and smiled.

“Thomas probably went looking for money.”

His gaze moved over Thomas’s dusty clothes and scratched arms.

“Though it doesn’t look like it went very well.”

Ava frowned when she noticed the cuts.

“What happened to you?”

Thomas didn’t answer.

His eyes stayed on Scott.

“Leave.”

The single word made the room fall silent.

Scott blinked.

Ava stared at him.

“What?”

“I said leave.”

Thomas took a few steps forward.

“You’re not needed here anymore.”

“Thomas!”

Ava’s voice rose immediately.

“Scott has been helping us this whole time!”

“Helping?”

Thomas finally looked at her.

Then he pulled a black bag from behind him and dropped it onto the floor.

Thud.

The zipper opened. Bundles of cash spilled out. The room went completely quiet.

Even Scott’s smile disappeared.

Thomas pointed at the money.

“One hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”

His eyes never left Scott.

“Enough for Emma’s treatment.”

A short pause.

“And enough to pay you back for every favor you’ve done.”

Scott stared at the cash.

Ava looked between the money and Thomas, unable to speak. Thomas stepped closer.

“So tell me.”

His voice was calm.

“Are you leaving now, or do I have to escort you out myself?”

For the first time, Scott looked caught off guard.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

He had spent the entire day waiting to see Thomas fail.

Waiting to see Ava lose faith in her husband.

Instead, Thomas came back carrying more money than anyone expected.

Scott quickly forced a smile.

“Thomas, where exactly did all this come from?”

Ava looked at him immediately.

“That’s what I want to know too.”

Thomas shrugged.

“I got lucky.”

Scott narrowed his eyes.

“Lucky?”

“I bought a scratch card.”

Thomas spoke without hesitation.

“Won the jackpot.”

He pointed at the scratches on his arms.

“Got injured rushing to claim it.”

Scott’s mouth twitched.

Ava stared at him for several seconds.

Instead of looking relieved, she looked annoyed.

“If you had this money, why didn’t you bring it sooner?”

Thomas looked at her. Ava shook her head.

“Do you know how hard today was?”

Her voice became quieter.

“Do you know how embarrassing it felt having to depend on someone else because my husband couldn’t handle it?”

Thomas didn’t answer.

Instead, he looked back at Scott.

“Stay away from my wife.”

The words came out slowly.

Every word clear.

“From today onward, keep your distance.”

For a moment, Scott felt a chill run down his spine.

He actually took half a step backward before realizing it.

Then he laughed awkwardly.

“You’re overthinking things.”

“I was only helping.”

Ava immediately frowned.

“Thomas, enough!”

She looked genuinely upset.

“Scott has done nothing but help us.”

Thomas let out a short laugh.

“Help?”

His eyes settled on Scott.

“You really think I don’t know what he’s after?”

The room became quiet again.

Ava’s cheeks reddened.

She knew exactly what Thomas meant.

That was what made it hard to respond.

Scott sensed the mood changing and quickly bent down to pick up the bag of cash.

“Well,” he said with a forced smile, “since Emma’s treatment is covered, I’ll head out.”

He looked at Ava.

“Call me if you need anything.”

Ava nodded.

“Thank you.”

Then she followed him out of the room.

The door closed behind them.

Silence returned.

Thomas walked over to Emma’s bed and sat down.

The little girl was sleeping peacefully.

The bandages on her face looked painfully large against her small frame.

Thomas gently brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead.

His movements became careful, almost afraid of waking her.

“Emma…”

His voice was barely above a whisper.

“You’ve suffered enough.”

He sat there quietly for a while, watching her breathe.

Then his eyes slowly hardened.

The memory of the bullies.

The laughter.

The betrayal.

The humiliation.

Every bit of it came rushing back.

Thomas gently held Emma’s small hand.

“I promise you.”

His voice was low.

“But this time, it carried a certainty that wasn’t there before.”

“No one will bully you again.”

His grip tightened slightly.

“And everyone who hurt you…”

He looked toward the dark hospital window.

“…will pay for it.”