The Hidden Billionaire

CHAPTER 8: THE HOTEL

Ava looked at Thomas like he had just said something ridiculous.

"He's not some random old man," she said. "You should show some respect. People like him could help us get out of poverty." Thomas felt a little frustrated but kept it to himself.

While she spoke, Ava pulled out a small mirror and touched up her makeup. Thomas watched quietly. She had dressed up more than usual today.

"Where are you going?" he asked. Ava snapped the mirror shut.

"Why do you care?"

Then she crossed her arms.

"What are you doing here anyway? Let me guess. Something went wrong at work again?"

Thomas said nothing. Ava looked beautiful today, but the more he looked at her, the more uneasy he felt.

"Who are you meeting?" he asked. Ava let out a cold laugh.

"I'm doing this because of you." Thomas frowned.

"If you weren't such a failure, I wouldn't have to strike a deal with some creepy old man." The words hit him like a punch. He stepped forward and grabbed her shoulder.

"Don't go."

His voice was low.

"If you're really meeting another man, I won't let it happen." Ava immediately shoved his hand away.

"Pathetic."

She looked at him with disappointment.

"I told you already. You don't get to control me." Without another word, she turned and walked away. Thomas stood there for a moment before following her inside the hotel lobby.

Thomas narrowed his eyes.

"So this is where you're going..."

He immediately followed.

Just as he reached the entrance, a mocking voice sounded behind him.

"Wow, look who it is." Thomas turned around.

Avril, Ava's younger sister. Standing beside her was a large man built like a bodyguard.

Thomas looked at her calmly.

"Long time no see, Avril."

"Hah."

Avril rolled her eyes.

"Don't act familiar with me."

She looked him up and down.

"You don't deserve my sister." Thomas remained silent. Avril smirked.

"Honestly, I don't know why she hasn't divorced you already." Thomas's eyes turned cold. The smile on Avril's face faded slightly. For some reason, the look he gave her made her uncomfortable. She quickly grabbed the man's arm.

"Babe, look at him."

Her voice suddenly sounded pitiful.

"I only said a few words and he's already looking at me like he wants to hit me." The big man stepped forward immediately.

"You got a problem?"

He stood almost face-to-face with Thomas.

"If you touch her, you're going to regret it."

Thomas glanced at him. Then he smiled.

"Maybe you should get your eyes checked."

"I haven't touched anyone." The man's face darkened. Before he could speak, Avril cut in again.

"Forget it."

She looked at Thomas with open contempt.

"You're nothing but a parasite living off my sister."

"Do everyone a favor and divorce her." Thomas laughed.

"A parasite?"

His gaze moved over Avril.

"Maybe worry about yourself first." The smile vanished from her face.

"You spend so much time fixing your appearance, but you never bother fixing your attitude."

"The outside looks fine." "It's the inside that's ugly." Avril's face instantly turned red.

Her finger shook as she pointed at him.

"You..."

For several seconds, she couldn't think of a comeback. Finally, she gritted her teeth.

"My dad's birthday is in a few days." She sneered.

"I can't wait to see what gift a broke loser like you brings." Then she grabbed her boyfriend's hand and stormed away. Thomas watched them leave before remembering why he was here.

Ava.

He immediately walked into the hotel. The atmosphere inside made him frown.

Fresh flowers.

Soft music.

Dim lighting.

Couples sitting together at private tables.

This definitely wasn't a place for business meetings. Then he spotted Ava. She was sitting across from a fat middle-aged man.

She was smiling politely while the man stared at her with greedy eyes. Thomas's face darkened. Without hesitation, he walked over. Ava looked up and froze.

"Thomas?"

She quickly stood up and pulled him aside.

"What are you doing here?"

Thomas looked past her toward the man.

"I should be asking you that." His eyes narrowed.

"You got dressed up for him?"

Ava's patience finally snapped.

"Yes!"

She threw her hands up.

"If you could provide for this family, I

wouldn't need to be here." Thomas was stunned. Ava continued before he could respond.

"Do you know how hard I've worked?"

"Do you know how many things I've sacrificed?"

Thomas frowned.

"Even so, you shouldn't be meeting men like him." That only made Ava angrier.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

She pointed toward the table.

"This is business."

"Nothing else."

Thomas glanced at the man again. The guy was still staring at Ava's body. His expression grew colder.

"This doesn't look like business." Ava nearly shouted.

"If my husband could earn enough money, I wouldn't be sitting here dealing with people like him."

"Do you think I enjoy this?"

Thomas didn't answer.

Instead, he stepped in front of her, blocking the man's view.

"Let's go home."

Ava stared at him.

"Are you serious?"

"I've been working on this deal for months."

"If I lose it now, everything was for nothing."

"I don't care."

Thomas shook his head.

"You're coming home." Ava laughed bitterly.

"Of course you don't care." "Emma is in the hospital." "We have more bills to pay."

"You think I enjoy dressing up and smiling at creepy clients?" Those words finally made Thomas pause.

For the first time, he saw things from her side. While he had been struggling in his own way, Ava had been carrying the family too. Thomas looked away.

Then he asked quietly, "How much is the deal worth?"

Ava folded her arms.

"Over one hundred thousand dollars." She clearly thought he was joking. Instead, Thomas nodded.

"I'll help."

Ava blinked. For a second, she looked surprised. Then she shook her head.

"Forget it."

"I'll handle it myself."

She took a deep breath and straightened her clothes.

"Don't wait for me tonight."

"I'm not coming home yet."

With that, she walked back toward the table. Thomas remained where he was.

Watching her smile politely at the client again. For the first time in a long while, he didn't feel angry. He just felt guilty. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Ava had been fighting for their family all this time.