The Secret Billionaire Heir

Chapter 9

THIRD PERSON’S POV

Jake stood there with a calm expression that only made everyone around him even more confused.

The expensive decorations, the sparkling crystal lights, and the elegant furniture all seemed insignificant compared to the silence that had suddenly filled the room.

Only a few moments ago, Damien Stewart had been overflowing with confidence, acting as if nobody in the city could challenge his authority.

Now the once-arrogant man looked like someone whose entire world had collapsed.

Emily stared at Jake with widened eyes, unable to understand what had just happened.

Even Ethan and her parents remained frozen in disbelief.

Jake slipped his phone into his pocket as if nothing important had happened.

His face showed no excitement, pride, or satisfaction.

Instead, he simply looked tired after everything his sister had been forced to endure that evening.

He glanced once toward his sister, making sure she was standing safely behind him before returning his attention to the others.

“How did you do that?” someone managed to ask.

"I only made a phone call to someone I know," Jake replied quietly.

His voice was calm but those simple words made Emily angry.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Emily snapped as she stepped toward him. "Do you seriously expect anyone to believe that? Damien Stewart isn't some ordinary employee. He's the general manager of the Imperial Grand Hotel. One phone call doesn't get someone like him fired!"

Jake looked at her without the slightest trace of panic.

Emily pointed an accusing finger at him.

"Tell me the truth!" she shouted. "Who exactly did you call? What kind of trick did you use? Stop pretending to be mysterious!"

Jake's expression remained indifferent.

"Whether you believe me or not doesn't matter." He said.

Emily clenched her fists "It matters to me!"

Jake sighed softly.

"Instead of worrying about how I did it," he replied, "you should spend your time worrying about your own affairs."

Emily frowned "What do you mean by that?"

Jake lifted his chin toward the doorway.

Everyone followed his gaze.

Damien Stewart was already halfway out of the luxury suite.

The man who had acted so proudly only minutes earlier now looked completely different. His expensive suit was wrinkled from all the panic, and he was sweating heavily.

His hands shook as he gripped his phone against his ear.

"Chairman... please... please listen to me..." Damien begged desperately. "I know I made a mistake. Please give me another chance. I've worked for the company for over ten years. I swear I'll never make another mistake again."

His voice cracked with fear "I didn't know... I really didn't know..."

He stumbled a bit as he hurried toward the elevator.

"I'm begging you... please don't fire me..." he cried out.

Nobody could hear the voice on the other end but Damien's desperate expression made the situation obvious.

His pleading became even more frantic.

"I'll apologize personally! I'll do anything! Please don't blacklist me. If I lose this job, my family is finished."

He disappeared around the corner.

Everywhere was silent again.

The hotel's employees standing nearby looked stunned.

Ethan swallowed nervously. His heart pounded uncontrollably as he turned toward Emily.

"What... what should we do now?" he asked.

Emily was still staring blankly at the empty hallway.

Nothing that had happened made sense.

She had spent years climbing into high society. She understood better than anyone how powerful Damien Stewart's connections were. Someone capable of dismissing him with a single phone call had to possess a whole lot of authority.

But that person could never be Jake. It simply wasn't possible.

Her thoughts became a mess.

Before she could organize them, her father stepped beside her with an angry expression.

"I told you to handle this properly," he complained. "Wasn't it just arranging a position for Ethan? Such a simple matter became this huge disaster."

Her mother nodded in agreement.

"Exactly," she added impatiently. "You've always said your connections are extraordinary. Then why couldn't you even settle something this small? Now Ethan's opportunity is gone."

Her father shook his head "This happened at the worst possible time."

Emily's face turned pale with embarrassment.

The pressure from the situation was already crushing her, and now even her parents were blaming her.

"Enough!" she shouted.

Her voice echoed throughout the room.

Both of her parents stared at her in surprise.

"I said be quiet!" she said.

Her breathing became uneven as she tried to control her emotions.

"This isn't the time." She muttered.

Without waiting for another response, she grabbed Ethan firmly by his wrist.

"We're going after Damien." She told him.

Ethan nodded "Right."

Neither of them wanted to lose the opportunity that had been promised.

If Damien could somehow keep his position, Ethan's future might still be saved.

The two of them hurried toward the hallway.

Emily's parents exchanged worried glances before following after them as quickly as they could.

Within seconds, the room became completely quiet.

Only Jake and his younger sister remained.

The silence felt strangely comforting after everything that had happened.

Jake finally released the breath he had been holding. His shoulders relaxed slightly.

For the first time that evening, the tension inside him eased.

He turned toward his sister.

She was standing exactly where he had left her. Her face was still pale from fear.

Tears remained in her eyes, and her injured feet made it difficult for her to stand steadily.

Jake's heart tightened painfully.

He blamed himself once again. If he had arrived even a little later...

He didn't even want to imagine what could have happened.

He walked over and gently supported her arm.

"Let's go." he whispered.

His voice had become much softer.

His sister looked up at him. Her lips trembled.

She nodded "Okay."

Jake carefully helped her leave the suite.

Neither of them spoke during the elevator ride.

The silence wasn't awkward.

Instead, both of them were simply exhausted.

The chaos they had just survived had drained every bit of strength from them.

Jake occasionally glanced at his sister's injured feet.

Each time the elevator moved slightly, she winced from the pain.

He clenched his jaw. He felt even more guilty.

When they got outside, Jake gently helped his sister into the car then he walked around to the driver's seat.

He drove in silence.

Jake focused on driving while his sister leaned against the window.

She watched the passing lights with empty eyes.

Later on, Jake quietly asked

"Does it hurt badly?"

She looked down at the bandages someone from the hotel had wrapped around her feet.

"A little." She said.

Jake knew she was lying.

The blood stains beneath the cloth told him enough.

"I'm taking you to the hospital first." He said.

She nodded.

When they arrived, Jake carried her inside.

She protested "I can still walk."

Jake shook his head "No."

His answer was simple but firm.

He refused to let her place even more pressure on her injured feet.

The nurses quickly brought a wheelchair after seeing her condition.

Jake stayed beside her through every examination.

The doctor removed the temporary bandages.

Fresh cuts and blisters covered both feet. The skin had been rubbed raw from the high heels Emily had forced her to wear.

The doctor frowned.

"These injuries aren't life-threatening," he explained. "But she needs proper treatment and several days of rest."

Jake nodded. He felt a bit relieved to hear that.