The Hidden Heir

Chapter 2: The Car Accident

The young man blocking Alexander's path was Ethan Miller, Evelyn's cousin, who was currently looking at the couple with a mocking smirk.

"I'm here to attend the family gathering," Alexander stated.

"Family?" Ethan scoffed. "Are you a member of the Miller family? Everyone here today is a significant figure of the Millers. A kept man like you doesn't deserve to step inside!"

Facing Ethan's ridicule, Evelyn's face had turned extremely ugly. After all, Alexander was her legal husband, not a gigolo!

"Alexander is my husband. How dare you insult him in public!" Evelyn said angrily.

"Your husband? Hahaha." Ethan burst into laughter with scorn. "If it weren't for you and your foolish father, a country bumpkin like him would never have the qualifications to enter the Miller household."

Ethan continued to mock, "I heard your dad forcefully demanded you marry Alexander. Couldn't be that your dad has a crush on this effeminate fellow. I'd say that getting married is just an excuse. Otherwise, how come I heard that even after three years of marriage, you've never even shared a bed?"

Hearing this, many in the Miller estate showed lewd smiles, looking at Alexander with scorn.

Evelyn was recognized as a beauty in the Miller family. To be with a woman like Evelyn for three years and never share a bed, such a man must be impotent or gay.

Evelyn's expression became tense. Indeed, she and Alexander had been married for three years, and they hadn't even held hands, let alone shared a bed. She thought no one knew about this, but now the entire Miller family was aware.

The crowd in the estate became restless, starting to whisper among themselves.

"This guy looks like a sissy."

"I think he's impotent!"

"Strip him down, let's see his ass."

…

Alexander clenched his fists, struggling to contain his anger. He was already unwelcoming here and showing his fury would only bring trouble to Evelyn. After all, he wasn't truly considered part of the Miller family.

Alexander hailed from a prestigious background himself. Three years ago, following his mother's death, his own father had sent assassins after him. Had it not been for Cedric Miller's intervention, Alexander would have been long dead.

But now, these unreasonable individuals were insulting not only him but also his wife and Cedric Miller, whom he regarded as a father. He could face the mockery from the Millers, but he couldn't bear seeing Evelyn and Cedric implicated because of him.

"You can insult me, but you cannot insult Evelyn, nor can you insult Cedric Miller," Alexander roared.

"Watch your tone! You lowly w***e," Ethan pointed at Alexander, warning him.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Alexander turned to leave. He knew standing here would only subject his wife to more humiliation.

Seeing Alexander's attempt to appear indifferent, Evelyn suddenly felt a pang of guilt. ‘In their three years of marriage, I had never truly regarded him as my husband, merely obeying her father's command. Yet, Alexander had always been exceptionally good to me, picking mer up from work come rain or shine, and always smiling, even when I was in my worst moods. He never showed anger in front of me, always indulging me, taking care of me...’

Today was the first time Evelyn saw this side of Alexander.

As Alexander turned to leave, suddenly a crisp slap echoed, followed by the feeling of a soft hand gripping his tightly. He turned around to see Ethan holding his face, and Evelyn glaring at him, firmly stating, "I will go in only if he goes in!"

The Millers were stunned. ‘Was Evelyn out of her mind? Was she saying if Alexander couldn't enter the Miller estate, she wouldn't either?’

"Evelyn, are you going to betray the Millers for an outsider?" Ethan's expression darkened. He hadn't expected Evelyn to stand up for Alexander in such a manner, especially considering the family gathering was one of the most important Miller family events, a mandatory presence for all Millers. Not attending was seen as disloyalty to the family.

If Evelyn truly didn't enter the estate today, given Reginald Miller, given the temper of the family head, it was likely she would be exiled from the Miller family! The situation was grave.

"Evelyn, go inside. Ethan is right; this is a gathering for the Millers. My surname is Wealthington; it's not appropriate for me to be here," Alexander said, stepping forward once more.

Alexander knew he had to step back, or else Evelyn would suffer the family's punishment because of him. He didn't want her to be exiled from the Miller family on his account. At this moment, he was willing to swallow his pride. Despite the humiliation and the disdain from others, Alexander was ready to bear it all for Evelyn.

"Alexander..." Evelyn's eyes reddened. She understood that Alexander's compromise was for her sake. But the more he did so, the less she could accept it.

"Alright, I've still got a pizza delivery pending. I'll go back to work now and come home early tonight," Alexander said lightly, then turned and left without looking back.

***

Soon after, Alexander Wealthington returned home. 

Despite having been harshly humiliated by Ethan Miller earlier, his mood was surprisingly calm, even somewhat uplifted. This change was due to something Evelyn had said in his defense: "I will go in only if he goes in!" It was the first time in three years that Evelyn had stood up for him like this.

Three years ago, while evading the Wealthington's assassins in Los Luminares, he was fortuitously discovered by Cedric Miller, who took pity on him and brought him into the Miller family to work as a servant in his villa.

The Millers, having monopolized certain city industries through some means, were considered new nobility in Los Luminares. Cedric's shelter saved Alexander from the assassins. However, Cedric's business started declining mysteriously soon after. It was during this time that Evelyn Miller and Alexander fell in love and, with Cedric's blessing, had a flash marriage.

But as a man whose identity could never be revealed, Alexander was forced to live a life of hiding, much to the discontent of Evelyn, a wealthy heiress, who grew increasingly distant. After setting the table, Alexander wondered why Cedric and his wife hadn't returned home yet, which was unusual for this time of day.

Then, his phone rang, “Alexander, my dad... he’s been hit by a car...”