The Understated billionaire: The Ex-son-in-law's rise

Chapter five

Upstairs, away from the chaos of the lobby, Camila closed the suite door behind them and exhaled softly. Her gaze drifted to Lucas’s hand the small, crushed remains of the necklace still resting in his palm like pieces of a broken memory.

“Lucas” she said gently, stepping closer, “give it to me.”

He hesitated.

“I know someone who can restore it,” she added, her voice softer now. “Better than anyone else. It won’t be perfect, but… it won’t stay shattered either.”

Lucas slowly placed the broken necklace into her hands. “Thank you,” he murmured. But his eyes remained clouded, the weight of the moment still lingering on his shoulders.

Camila studied him for a long second. “You’re thinking about what that brat said downstairs, aren’t you?”

Lucas didn’t answer, but the faint tension in his jaw gave her all the confirmation she needed.

“So there really is a ‘new brother-in-law’?” she asked, her tone slightly sharper than before.

Jealousy pricked at her, quick and uninvited. Before it could settle, she forced a bright smile and changed the subject. “Anyway, I have something to share.”

Lucas blinked, finally looking at her fully.

“I’m hosting a charity banquet tonight” she said, tilting her head with a playful confidence. “A big one. I’d like you to attend. With me.”

There was no hidden meaning in her tone yet there was every meaning in her eyes.

Lucas’s expression softened slightly, but exhaustion tugged at the corners of it. He rubbed his forehead slowly. “Camila… I appreciate it. Truly. But I just want to rest for now.”

Her smile faltered for a moment.

“I’ll definitely come next time...” he added.

Before Lucas could bring the sentence to an end Camila suddenly dropped onto his lap with a soft thud. His eyes widened.

“Camila, move” he said immediately.

“No” she replied, crossing her arms and pouting like a stubborn kitten. “I’m not moving.”

“Camila”

She only leaned closer, lowering her voice into a plaintive whine. “Lucas… it’s my first time organizing such a big charity banquet. I’m nervous. I need you there.” Her fingers tugged lightly at his sleeve as she tilted her head. “If you don’t come, I’ll feel uneasy the whole night.”

He sighed, rubbing his forehead again. “That’s not a reason to sit on me.”

“It is today,” she countered immediately. “You said you’ll come next time, but next time doesn’t help me now.”

Lucas looked at her expression, her doe eyes, her exaggerated pout, the way she refused to budge even an inch and despite himself, a soft chuckle escaped.

“You’re impossible,” he muttered.

Camila brightened instantly. “So you’ll go?”

He shook his head in resignation. “Fine. I’ll go.”

She beamed, springing up from his lap as if she hadn’t refused to move seconds earlier. “Good! Then I feel much better already.”

Lucas could only smile helplessly.

****

 Stella Bryant paced in front of the hospital entrance sign, clutching her phone dramatically as if she were moments away from collapsing.

The moment her daughter picked up, she let out a shaky breath one she deliberately amplified.

“Bella! You won’t believe what happened,” she cried. “Lucas… that man… he’s out of prison! And guess what? He’s already entangled with some rich woman shamelessly cheating on you!”

Bella paused “Mom, what are you talking about?”

“I’m telling you the truth!” Stella insisted. “When your brother and I confronted him, he didn’t even deny it. He had people beat us up! We’re heading to the hospital now bruised, shaken, humiliated”

A rustling noise interrupted her before Bella could respond.

“Give me the phone!” Charlie snapped, snatching it away. “Sis! Everything Mom said is true! Lucas is messing around with some wealthy lady, practically flaunting it! We’re going to the hospital right now. If you don’t believe us, come and see us lying on the bed yourself!”

Bella’s brows knitted. The accusation sounded ridiculous… yet her mother’s voice had been trembling, and Charlie rarely called her unless something was wrong.

But there was a bigger issue.

“I can’t leave now,” Bella said calmly. “I’m at an event venue. Henry Malcolm and I are attending the charity banquet for Group A tonight.”

The moment Charlie heard that, his tone flipped like a switch.

“Henry is there? Let me say hi to him!” He practically yelled the words, voice rushing with excitement. “Brother-in-law! It’s me, Charlie”

Bella’s expression tightened. “Charlie! Don’t be rude. Malcolm and I are business partners, not Marital partners” She inhaled sharply. “Apologize. Now.”

Before Charlie could mumble out anything, a smooth, practiced voice spoke from beside Bella.

“It’s alright,” Malcolm said with an easy smile, leaning closer so his voice carried over the phone. “Being acknowledged by the Bryants… I consider it an honor.”

Charlie nearly exploded with happiness on the other end. “See? Mom, I told you Brother-in-law is humble!”

Bella shot Malcolm a brief, unreadable glance. She didn’t respond to his comment, nor did she encourage Charlie’s enthusiasm.

“Both of you,” she said evenly, “get checked properly at the hospital. Don’t exaggerate things. I’ll call later.”

She ended the call before they could continue.

For a moment, silence settled between her and Malcolm. 

Her mother’s words replayed in her mind:

Lucas… involved with another woman… beat us up… cheating…

It sounded absurd. Out-of-character. Impossible.

Yet something in her chest tightened unbearably.

Malcolm seized the opportunity, stepping slightly closer, his cologne brushing the air. “Don’t worry about whatever your family said,” he said softly. “Tonight, focus on work. With me around, Group B will definitely secure cooperation with Group A.”

Bella forced a polite smile, but it never reached her eyes.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

 Her thoughts drifted far away back to the man she supposedly no longer cared about, and the woman he was rumored to be with.

The ache in her chest didn’t fade. It only grew heavier.