Trillionaire in Disguise

Chapter 2

Leo’s eyes opened slowly. Everything looked blurry. His head felt heavy and the room spun a little. Why had these people taken him? Was this another trick from Grant?

He pushed himself up. A soft thud came from behind him. When he turned, an old man was kneeling on the floor.

“Young master, please forgive me,” the old man said. “Those fools did not know who you were when they brought you here.”

Leo stared at him. “Are you talking to me? You got the wrong person. What young master?”

The old man looked at Leo’s neck, then stood up.

“Young master, everything will be clear soon.”

He walked to a table, opened a drawer, and took out a necklace that looked like a strange key.

“You should remember this,” the old man said. “Lord Vance gave it to you on your birthday. It proves you belong to the Vance family.”

Leo’s heart jumped. His foster mother had given him a necklace just like this years ago. She said it came from his real family. He always thought she was just trying to make him feel better.

He looked at the necklace for a long time. How could he be from a rich family? Why would they leave him if that was true? This man could be a scammer. But why target someone with no money?

“I don’t have any money,” Leo started.

“You are the true master of the Vance family,” the old man cut in. “The other half of this necklace is the key to the family fortune. If you do not believe me, bring your half. We will test it.”

The man’s voice was serious. Leo felt it in his chest. Maybe this was real. He had left his necklace at home.

“I will get it,” Leo said.

“Master, should we take you?”

“No. I will go alone.”

Leo left quickly. He did not want strangers following him. His heart was beating fast, but he still was not sure.

Outside the big house, his phone buzzed. A message from Mia.

[Leo, come to the villa now.]

Something in her words felt urgent. Leo hurried over.

Mia stood by the door, looking worried. Her hands were tight. Leo knew she had lost her place in the family because she refused to divorce him.

“Mia, why are you outside?” he asked quietly.

She forced a small smile. She already knew what happened today. Grant had told her Leo would ask for a divorce. She also knew he had been fired. She felt guilty. Years ago she had asked him to give her family the money from his stock wins. If he had kept it, his life would be different. She blamed herself.

“I’m sorry about what Grant did,” she said. “I’ll talk to Grandma. She might listen.”

“Don’t. She won’t do anything.”

Mia still wanted to try.

A voice came from the door. “Are you two going to stand there all day? Grandma is waiting.” It was Sophie, Mia’s cousin. She smirked and added, “Stupid people,” before closing the door.

Leo’s face burned. Sophie always found ways to mock them. One day he would make her regret it.

They walked into the meeting room. Everyone turned and stared.

“Shameless scavenger,” someone muttered.

“Mother, why are they here?”

Lady Margaret Parker raised her hand. “Sit down, all of you.”

She did not care who was late. She needed everyone present.

“You all heard the news,” she said. “Sunridge Company canceled our contract. Their CEO came today and ended it right away.”

Grant spoke up. “What do we do? That five percent was worth sixty million. Maybe we can beg Cousin Ray for three percent instead.”

Lady Margaret glared at him. “Are you deaf? Ray cannot help. That is why I called this meeting. We need someone who can get the deal back. Money is everything right now. Will anyone volunteer? If you fix this contract, I will give you one million dollars today.”

No one spoke. They all remembered what happened to Grant the last time he went to Sunridge Company. The guards had beaten him badly. Third-class families were not welcome there. Ray had somehow gotten them five percent before, but now even he was useless.

Lady Margaret’s face grew harder. She could not believe no one raised a hand—not even Mia, who was usually good at these things.

“Shame on all of you,” she said.

Grant spoke carefully. “Mom, you know it’s impossible. Those people almost killed me last time. I was lucky to walk out.”

Lady Margaret looked ready to slam the table. Then she saw Leo raise his hand.

Her eyes narrowed. “Yes? What is it, Leo?”

Everyone stared. Mia looked at him with wide eyes, wondering what he was thinking.

Leo stood up. “Mia will help the family get thirty percent of the contract. But there is one condition.”

The room went quiet. Then people started laughing and shouting.

“You are crazy!”

“Is he drunk? Thirty percent? What a joke!”

Some of them laughed so hard tears came out. Mia did not know if she should hide her face or ask Leo what he was doing.

Lady Margaret slammed her hand on the table. “Quiet!”

The room fell silent.

“What is your condition?” she asked.

Leo cleared his throat. “I get five percent of the Parker Company shares. Mia gets five percent. Our daughter Lily gets five percent. Fifteen percent in total.”

He sat down.

“If you agree, Mia will get you the deal.”