The Hidden Heir

Chapter 1: The Inheritance

“I will not return to the Wealthington family!” Alexander Wealthington declared, his expression steely as he stood in his work clothes.

“Master Wealthington!” An elderly man, clad in a fine suit, smiled at Alexander.

"Master Wealthington? You've got the wrong person. I am just a pizza delivery guy," Alexander said, checking his delivery slip without looking up.

"I haven't mistaken you, Mr. Wealthington," the elder removed his glasses, wiped them, and put them back on. "Let me introduce myself. I am Winston Carl, your father Douglas Wealthington's personal butler."

Douglas Wealthington! The name hit Alexander like a bullet, the memory of his mother's death three years ago flashing before his eyes. "Are you here to get me to return to the Wealthington family?" Alexander replied coldly, still in his pizza shop uniform.

"Yes, your father said if you are willing to return, the countless assets of the Wealthington family will be under your control," Winston spoke respectfully.

"Countless assets?" Alexander chuckled mockingly, "The Wealthington family really is rich, huh? But I'm not interested."

Detecting the sarcasm in Alexander's tone, Winston asked helplessly, "Sir, are you still dissatisfied with what happened three years ago?"

Alexander continued to arrange his delivery slips without answering.

Winston gave a bitter smile and said, “sir, your father has realized his mistake from three years ago. He has lived with that guilt ever since and hopes you will give him a chance.”

"A chance?" Alexander's lips curled into a sneer, "He should say that in front of my mother's tombstone. Maybe she would be moved enough to climb out of her grave and give him another chance."

From the day Alexander Wealthington was born, he found himself amidst the opulence of the Wealthington family. Yet, as an illegitimate child, he was always the odd one out, scorned not just by the family members but even by the servants who felt entitled to insult and belittle him freely.

He had resigned himself to a lifetime of insignificance within the grand Wealthington estate, until, at the age of eight, Douglas Wealthington suddenly cast him and his mother out without a penny to their name. It was then Alexander realized he wasn't even allowed to be the family's underdog.

Thereafter, his mother took to odd jobs to provide for them, until she succumbed to exhaustion and fell ill three years ago. Swallowing his pride, Alexander sought help from his father, kneeling at the gates of the Wealthington estate, tears streaking down his face as he pleaded for their assistance. Yet, he was met with nothing but cold indifference.

Eventually, his mother passed away due to lack of money for medical care. Overwhelmed by grief, he finally understood that his and his mother's worth in the eyes of the Wealthingtons are less than nothing. Alexander vowed to make Douglas Wealthington kneel at his mother's grave in repentance someday.

However, that was merely a youthful dream. After burying his mother, he drifted to Los Luminares, a small city in the West. Unexpectedly, the very next day, he found himself chased by a gang of assassins. If not for Cedric Miller's timely intervention, he would have been dead.

Alexander was well aware that the killers were sent by the Wealthingtons. In the face of such a Leviathan, he was less than an ant. Yet, the Wealthingtons reached out again today, imploring him to return and lead the family. With dozens of legitimate heirs in line, why turn to him, the outcast? It was undoubtedly a plot.

Alexander shook his head, a smirk of contempt crossing his lips.

"Do you really want to rot away in this backwater forever?" Winston Carl sighed, he knew that Alexander had not had a good life in the past three years since leaving the Wealthingtons.

Since being taken in by the Miller family, Alexander had lived a life of low status and constant alienation, a stark contrast to his time at the Wealthington Family.

"Returning to the Wealthingtons would be like committing suicide," Alexander said with a light smile.

Winston's expression darkened. "What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"It means nothing," Alexander replied, shaking his head. "You may go back. Tell Douglas Wealthington that I will return to the Wealthingtons, but not today."

As Winston watched Alexander walk away, he was left in deep thought.

***

“Alexander!” As Alexander Wealthington furrowed his brows in deep thought, a striking woman dressed in a white dress appeared before him. The woman, with her delicate features, tall and slender figure, and graceful demeanor, was a sight to behold, dazzling anyone who laid eyes on her. She was none other than Evelyn Miller, Alexander’s wife.

“Evelyn, what’s wrong?” Apart from Cedric Miller, Evelyn was the only member of the Miller family who treated him kindly. Seeing her, Alexander's face lit up with a smile once more.

However, Evelyn’s expression was somewhat cold. She merely glanced at Alexander and said flatly, “Come with me to the Miller estate.”

“To the Miller estate?” Alexander opened his mouth to speak, remembering that Evelyn had mentioned the family gathering scheduled for today—a mandatory event for all Millers. But… Glancing down at his work clothes, he felt a twinge of embarrassment; he had planned to go home and change but got held up by Winston Carl. Such a grand event certainly required more appropriate attire.

“Evelyn, can I go home to change first?” Alexander asked sheepishly.

Evelyn looked slightly displeased. “Didn’t I tell you yesterday about the gathering today?”

“I... maybe I just won’t go,” Alexander mumbled, his head hanging like a scolded child.

“That’s not an option. You are my husband, and I must bring you. We need to leave now; it’s about to start,” Evelyn said with a hint of irritation.

“Alright...” Alexander wanted to say more, but Evelyn had already turned away, and he had no choice but to follow.

The triennial family gathering was the Miller family's most significant event, aimed at showcasing their strength. Alexander had no desire to attend, but he couldn’t refuse his wife, Evelyn's wishes.

Upon arriving at the Miller estate, Alexander saw that many people were already gathered there.

Evelyn took a deep breath and strode towards the mansion’s grand entrance, with Alexander trailing behind. But as they reached the door, a large hand stopped him.

"You cannot bring your gigolo in here! This is the Miller family gathering!"