The Ultimate Hidden Tycoon

Chapter 4

Yanking the drawer open, she expected junk.

Instead, neatly stacked inside were envelopes.

Thick, high-quality ones, each sealed with embossed insignias.

She grabbed one.

It was a formal invitation. Gold lettering. The signature of one of the city's wealthiest elites stamped at the bottom.

A private event for top-tier businessmen.

The others were similar. More invitations. High-end galas. Exclusive fundraisers. Gatherings where the richest of the rich convened.

A sleek black envelope stood out from the rest. A single word embossed in gold foil: The Shadow.

Madeline rolled her eyes, her lips curled in disgust.

"Ridiculous. There's no way he could ever be invited to an event of this caliber," Madeline thought.

“How he made things up like this?!”

"And ’The Shadow?’ Seriously? Is he living in some kind of fairy tale?"

Without hesitated, Madeline shoved the invitations into a pile and tossed them straight into the trash.

As she brushed off the nonsense, a box at the bottom of the drawer caught her eye.

She opened it curiously, and there, resting inside, was a simple silver ring.

Her breath hitched.

That ring—she knew that ring.

When she was a kid, she and her childhood friend Katherine had bought a pair of cheap silver rings at a street stall, thinking they were fun.

She’d thrown hers away years ago, disgusted by how tacky it was.

So why was this one here?

How had Ethan ended up with it?

Almost immediately, she pulled out her cell phone and was ready to call Kathrine.

But Ethan never met Kathrine. She keeps her loser husband from being known to her friends.

She thought of another possibility, an even greater one.

Did he pick it up after I threw it away? Has he been holding onto it all these years?

"What a creep." Madeline spat.

She carelessly tossed the silver ring onto the floor.

Just then, her phone buzzed. The screen lit up with Robert’s name.

Her expression shifted immediately.

Her earlier disdain replaced with a practiced sweetness.

"Hey, Robert, don’t tell me you miss me already?" she purred.

Robert chuckled on the other end.

"Madeline, get ready. You’re coming with me to meet with Brightstar Corporation tonight."

The name alone sent a jolt through her chest.

Brightstar Corporation - the most powerful company in Atlantis City!

If Robert was handling this deal personally, then this was far from some casual business meeting.

Suppressing her excitement, she replied smoothly.

"Of course, Robert. Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you."

"Good." His voice carried a hint of satisfaction. "I'm picking you up now. Be ready."

The moment the call ended, Madeline let out a squeal of excitement, spinning in place like a giddy schoolgirl.

She pressed a hand to her lips, unable to contain the smile stretching across her face.

This was it. This was her chance to truly step into old money’s world. A world of wealth, power, and prestige!

***

A sleek, black Maybach rolled smoothly to a stop in front of Brightstar Corporation’s grand headquarters.

The luxurious sedan stood out like the sun among stars.

Ethan pushed the door open and stepped out.

He tilted his head up, glancing at the towering glass building before him.

A smirk tugged at his lips.

"Brightstar Corporation, it’s been a long time. "

The Maybach was swiftly driven to a private parking area by security.

With an easy stride, he moved toward the entrance.

But before Ethan took another step, a burst of laughter from nearby caught his attention.

He turned slightly—and his gaze landed on a familiar pair, walking side by side from the other entrance.

Madeline and Robert.

Even under the bright city lights, her heavy makeup couldn’t fully conceal the vanity gleaming in her eyes.

Beside her stood Robert, his arm draped casually around her as he whispered something in her ear, making her giggle.

Their intimate gestures were sickening to watch.

Ethan didn’t take the second glance as he moved to walk past them.

But Madeline caught sight of him instantly.

"Ethan?" Her voice rang out, loud enough for people nearby to hear. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Ethan paused, but didn’t even bother turning.

"Walking my own path. Is that a problem?"

Madeline blinked. She was momentarily stunned by his calm tone.

But she quickly recovered, her smirk turned into a sneer.

"Seriously, Ethan? THIS is Brightstar Corporation."

She sneered, her gaze sweeping over his outfit with disdain.

"You sure you’re in the right place? Are you here to apply for a cleaner position?"

Robert snickered beside her, playing along.

"Now, now, Madeline, don't be so blunt. Maybe he’s just here to enjoy the air conditioning."

Madeline covered her mouth, made a high, mocking sound.

"That makes more senses!”

“Look at him, showing up just as work hours end. Talk about perfect timing for a free ride!"

Ethan finally turned to face them.

His gaze was steady, unreadable.

“You two seem awfully concerned about me. Should I be flattered?”

Madeline rolled her eyes.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Ethan. No one cares about you!”

As if realizing something, she stepped closer, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Wait, don’t tell me you’re here to beg me for a second chance. Is that it?”

Ethan’s lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. 

"You? A second chance? Madeline, don’t overestimate your worth."

“I’m just here to visit my company.”

“The thing you wanted it so badly, but you couldn’t never have.”