The undercover billionaire

Chapter nine

Standing outside the cafe, Madam Yiran’s words echoed in his head like wedding bells. 

Twin.

He had a twin, and she had disappeared six months prior. 

Never in his life would he have imagined he would have a loving family, let alone a sibling. 

He took in a deep breath, eyes downcast as he stared blankly at the pavement.

His nanny's death was only a reminder. He wasn't going to sit back and watch his newfound family disappear.

Strengthening his resolve, he hardened his gaze, walking towards his parked sedan, only to freeze in place as he locked eyes with a burly-looking man with a scar running down from his left eye to his cheek. 

For a while, everything stood frozen, even as Arthur locked gazes with the man.

His heart pounded, and he couldn't deny the nagging voice that told him he was being followed and this wasn't his father's men. 

The man turned—and bolted.

Arthur shot forward without a second thought.

“Hey! Stop!”

He sprinted past startled pedestrians, weaving through cars as horns blared. His shoes skidded against the pavement when the man ducked into a crowded street, but luckily, he could still see him.

Heads turned their way, but Arthur didn't give a damn.

Gritting his teeth, Arthur pushed his muscles forward, dashing for the man.

“Stop!” He barked, shoving at the person in his way, but the man was faster. 

He ducked under a moving car, the action straight out of a film that stunned people in place. 

“Someone stop him!” Arthur yelled, his body slamming into a car, causing a pained grunt to leave his lips, before he hurried along. 

Arthur's heart pounded as he glared at the leading figure running ahead of him. 

He was weak, he realized and the thought hurt. 

If only he were faster.

How was he supposed to save his sister if this was how pathetic he was?

Puffs of breath escaped Arthur's lips as he ran, weaving through crowds as the man cornered a bend leading them to a more crowded street.

“Damn it!” He cussed, looking around in panic and seeing no sight of the man he was chasing. “F*ck!”

Pushing his hair back in frustration, Arthur glared at the crowd, his head turning frantically as he scanned around the crowd.

“Damn it!” Arthur cursed, raking a hand through his hair. His chest heaved with frustration. He

Still reeling, Arthur backed away—

—and collided hard with someone carrying a steaming cup.

“Are you blind?!” 

A voice roared as Arthur staggered, hands reaching out to steady himself.

“I am sorry.” Arthur hurriedly apologized, a frown on his face as he took note of the damage he had caused. 

Unknowingly he had bumped into a young man who had just come out of a boutique. 

The young man, in his twenties, was decked in designer clothes from head to toe, with a row of attendants carrying bags behind him, his lips twisted with a condescending pout.

Beside him was a young lady, if not younger than the man, but their eyes were on the expensive-looking coat the young man was wearing.

The cream coat had a huge coffee stain— gotten, no doubt, from Arthur's bump, slowly spreading like butter on a hot pan, the sight causing even the fragile hearts to mourn the coat.

Arthur's eyes caught sight of the tags on the coat. He was sure this was newly bought and that smelled like trouble for him. 

“A beggar like you can't watch where he's going?” The attendants behind the man hissed, throwing glares at Arthur while fussing over the man. “Mr Parker, please don't be annoyed, I'll call security and have him removed at once.” 

“I am sure he came here to steal, Mr Parker, check your pockets, he might have stolen something.”

“Yes, yes! It's their new strategy. Quick check all the bags!”

Arthur stood watching without a word, lips pressed into a thin line.

It was always like this. He wondered when he would escape such situations.

People looking down on him were nothing new, but now it was different.

He watched as an old woman tightened the hold on her purse, and Arthur wanted nothing more than to shove his newfound wealth down their throats.

Due to their commotion, a small crowd started to form, all driven by curiosity, and without hearing his side of the story, he soon felt their judging gaze on him.

“Are you dumb or blind?” The young man, Mr Parker asked, staring Arthur up and down like he was an abomination. 

Never in his wildest dreams would he think the coat he had spent months begging his sister to buy for him was ruined even before he got to flaunt it. 

The thought made his insides go green, wishing he had never bought it in the first place.

“Are you mute? Can't you see Mr Parker is speaking to you?” One of the attendants stepped forward, hands on her hips scowling at Arthur.

Looking at Arthur's fairly good clothes, she figured he was a worker with a decent salary, but compared to a big shot like Parker, he was worth nothing.

She pressed, “Get on your knees and apologize for the ruined coat right now, or I'll have security make you.”

To Arthur, her words were ridiculous.

He, a billionaire, kneels and apologizes to nobody? Hah! In their dreams.

If it were before, he might have considered it, but he wasn't the same Arthur.

Arthur, ignoring the attendant, faced the young man, pulling out his wallet. “How much is it?” 

Immediately, laughs cut through the air, the young lady hanging on Mr Parker's arm coming forward with a sneer.

“What? Do you think this costs two dollars or something? This is a vintage winter coat costing five thousand dollars. A limited edition. Do you think nobody likes you, can get his hands on it?” The young lady pointed her well-manicured fingers at him, with a snort.

“Isn't it five thousand? I'll give you more!” Arthur snapped, face going bright red, and ready to prove them wrong, only to find his wallet empty.

“What?!” Arthur screamed, his face turning pale as he remembered dropping his card on the table, turning down the offer of taking the card since he was only coming to visit Madam Yuran and not buying anything.

Clenching his fists, Arthur lowered his head in shame, his actions seen by the public and sending fits of insult into the air.

“Can't talk? I thought you were going to pay more.”

“Hah! I knew it, he was all bark and no bite.”

“Miss Claudia, Mr Parker, please don't pay him any mind. I'll have security move him at once.”

“No need. Someone, break his legs for me!” The young man ordered, causing two men at the side to move. 

Arthur took a step back, heart racing in fear as he hurriedly explained. “It hasn't gotten to that, I can pay for it. I just forgot my card. I'll have someone deliver the money right away.”

“You?” The young lady beside him sneered, “Have you taken a look at the mirror? Do you think this is some kind of novel and you are the rich protagonist?” 

Her words caused a bout of snickers flying into the air, causing Arthur's face to burn bright red.

Coming out today, he had opted to dress simply, and compared to them both, he truly looked like a beggar.

“I can pay for it.” Arthur gritted, clenching his fists stubbornly. 

He glared fiercely at the crowd, his gaze silencing every snicker and causing a few people in the crowd to flinch. 

“With what?” Parker taunted, clicking his tongue in distaste. “Your kidney? I bet even your whole generation can't afford such an expensive coat like this, and here you are bragging.”

“How do you know I am not?”

“With how cheap your outfit is, I can bet you don't even have a hundred dollars in your account.”

“If I prove it, what would you do?”

“I'll kneel over and call you grandpa.”