Underrated Secret Billionaire

Chapter 5: The Missing Name in the List

Tiana sat beside Carlos in the softly lit banquet hall, her face composed, but her mind restless. The gentle hum of conversation surrounded them as waiters passed by with glasses of wine and trays of tiny hors d'oeuvres.

She tried to engage with Carlos, nodding politely at his occasional comments about the guests and décor, but her thoughts were fixed on one thing — the call she was expecting.

Her phone vibrated silently on her lap.

“Excuse me,” she whispered, rising calmly from her seat.

Carlos raised a brow. “Stepping out to make a call?” His voice was casual, but the suspicion in his eyes betrayed his doubt.

“It’s a work call. I won’t take long,” she replied, not waiting for his approval.

Once outside, under the glow of warm garden lights, Tiana answered.

“Mr. Freeman, good evening.”

“Miss Brooks,” came Malik Freeman’s calm but steady voice from the other end. “I’ll be brief. The board reviewed your proposal. The contract has been approved, but I must inform you this will be the final project we handle with your firm.”

Tiana’s hand went numb. She gripped the phone tightly. “Final project? May I ask why?”

“It’s not personal. We simply feel that future directions no longer align,” he said, leaving no room for negotiation. “You’ll receive a formal letter next week. Good evening, Miss Brooks.”

The call ended, and for a moment, the night air turned sharp against her skin. She felt cold inside, like something had been ripped out from her without warning.

All the effort, the months of chasing meetings, preparing presentations, aligning budgets and now, she was discarded without explanation.

She leaned against a column, staring blankly at the carefully trimmed hedges. Her chest tightened. This partnership had been a lifeline, a validation of all she had built since the divorce.

Behind her, quiet footsteps approached. She didn’t turn.

“Tiana?”

Carlos’s voice was softer now. He must have followed her despite her earlier words. She said nothing.

“I thought you came out here to answer a call,” he admitted. “But... I saw your face just now. What’s wrong?”

She blinked rapidly, struggling to maintain her composure. “The Adesins Corporation has cut ties. Tonight’s project will be the last one.”

Carlos stepped closer and placed a hand gently on her back. “I’m sorry,” he said with surprising sincerity. “But Tiana, this is not the end. You still have the Torres family deal on the table, don’t you?”

She nodded, barely.

“Then focus on that,” he continued. “There’s still hope, Tiana. You just have to redirect your strength.”

She inhaled deeply, nodded again, and whispered, “Thank you.”

Meanwhile, inside the hall, Jalen stood near the exit, debating whether or not to leave. His suit, though simple, was neat and well-fitted, but he still felt like an outsider among these glittering figures. His hand grazed his wristwatch, and he turned to Sharon.

“You want to leave already?” Sonia asked, a hint of frustration in her tone. “The main announcements haven’t started.”

“I’ve had enough for the night,” he replied. His gaze drifted toward the garden path. He could still feel the weight of Tiana’s presence.

Sonia narrowed her eyes. “Is this about her?”

Jalen remained silent.

Sonia immediately pulled out her phone. “Emilia,” she said firmly, “I need the list of tonight’s potential business partners. Now.”

Moments later, her secretary arrived, handing over the folded list. Sonia opened it briskly, scanned the names, and found what she was looking for.

Black Blossom.

With deliberate care, she took out a pen and scratched the name off.

“Problem solved,” she murmured to herself.

“I’ll find him,” she told Emilia, handing her the list. She followed the garden path where she had last seen Jalen.

As she neared the outer area, she paused when she saw two figures ahead. Carlos stood stiffly with his arms crossed, glaring at Jalen. Tiana stood beside him, silent and distant, her face pale.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Carlos was saying to Jalen, his voice loud and confrontational. “This event is not open to just anybody.”

Jalen met his gaze calmly. “I was invited.”

“By whom? Some low-rank staff? This place is for people who actually belong.”

Tiana remained still, eyes focused on the pavement. She could not muster a word — not after the blow she had just received from Mr. Freeman. Her silence only emboldened Carlos.

Sonia stepped forward at once.

“Mr. Carlos,” she said coolly, “I don’t think it’s your place to dictate who belongs here.”

Carlos turned, startled. “Excuse me—?”

“I suggest you focus on your own invitation,” Sonia continued, stepping closer to Jalen. “Unless you plan to embarrass yourself further.”

Carlos scowled but said nothing. Tiana glanced at Sonia briefly, then looked away again.

Before things escalated further, an announcement echoed from the hall.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Torres family invites all business partners to gather near the podium for formal recognition. Kindly make your way inside.”

Tiana grabbed Carlos’s hand. “Let’s go,” she said softly.

Carlos looked back at Jalen once more but allowed Tiana to guide him away. Together, they reentered the hall, anticipation building in his step.

Tiana stood still among the rows of glittering guests, her eyes fixed on the stage as names were called. Sonia re-entered shortly after with Jalen at her side, neither saying anything.

As the host read out partner after partner, the applause rose and fell in waves. Then came the final call.

“And that concludes the list of honoured partners for the evening.”

Tiana’s heart froze.

She clutched her small purse, searching again in her mind, certain there must be a mistake. Her company — erased from recognition.

She turned slowly, and as she did, her eyes landed on Sonia — seated at the front, poised and radiant beside Jalen.

It dawned on her then.

Her world, both personal and professional, was crumbling before her eyes.