The Hidden Heir

Chapter 3: Bad News

When Alexander Wealthington rushed to the hospital, he saw Evelyn and his mother-in-law, Eleanor Grace Miller, sitting on a bench, crying inconsolably.

"What happened?" Alexander approached Evelyn urgently.

Slap! Before Evelyn could reply, Eleanor slapped Alexander across the face, "How dare you ask what happened?!" she fumed, "You useless man, where were you this afternoon? Why didn't you pick up Cedric?"

Stunned, Alexander remembered it was his duty to drive Cedric, who had a leg injury, making it hard for him to drive himself. But after Cedric visited the Miller estate and didn't call, Alexander thought he had other plans.

"I'm sorry," Alexander apologized, feeling responsible for Cedric's accident.

"Sorry? Is saying sorry going to help? You, a waste, have been with the Miller family for three years and haven't done a single thing right!" Eleanor Grace Miller's voice broke with hysteria, "If something happens to Cedric this time, you will divorce my daughter immediately and leave the Miller household!"

Her sharp voice  was shrill, attracting the attention of many people. But at this moment, Alexander Wealthington couldn't care about the embarrassment. Cedric Miller was not only Evelyn's father but also his life-saving benefactor. Alexander would not allow any harm to come to him.

"Who is with this patient?" A doctor in a white coat approached.

”We are," Eleanor and Evelyn quickly stepped forward.

"The patient is suffering from severe internal bleeding and needs surgery immediately," the middle-aged doctor said gravely.

Hearing this, the color drained from Eleanor and Evelyn's faces.

“Doctor, please arrange the surgery as soon as possible. We can afford whatever the cost is," Alexander stated firmly.

"Alright, sign here first, then proceed to pay the surgery fee," the doctor said, pulling out a waiver form. But when Alexander saw the surgery cost listed, his heart sank.

Surgery cost: $500,000!

***

‘Why would a single surgery cost $500,000? Could it be a mistake, perhaps a printer error?’

But then the cashier confirmed the amount: $500,000. Alexander's heart sank. Neither he nor Cedric Miller could possibly afford the $500,000 needed for the surgery.

Cedric's condition was critical, posing a threat to his life at any moment. Where would Alexander find $500,000? He didn't even have enough collateral to get a loan from the bank. Never had he felt the importance of money as acutely as now.

"Sir..." A familiar voice came from behind. Turning around, Alexander saw Winston Carl, smiling at him. It didn't take long for Alexander to put the pieces together.

"Did you do this?!" he clenched his fists in anger, realizing Winston's involvement. The sudden accident and the astronomical surgery fee—it was all meticulously planned. Everything was orchestrated to force his return to the Wealthington family.

Winston shook his head, feigning ignorance, "Sir, I'm not sure what you're talking about."

Bang! Before Winston could finish, Alexander landed a fierce punch on his nose, causing blood to flow freely.

"Did you have anything to do with my father-in-law's accident?!" Alexander roared, shocked by the Wealthington family's ruthlessness to use Cedric's life as leverage.

"Sir, those are your words, not mine," Winston replied with a slight smile.

“f**k!” Alexander punched the wall in frustration. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't harm Winston further. Without Winston's cooperation, even if Alexander had the money, the hospital wouldn't proceed with the surgery.

Besides, he didn't have $500,000. It was a trap, and Alexander had no choice but to step into it. He couldn't let the Miller family suffer any harm.

"Sir, please make a decision quickly. Mr. Miller can't hold on much longer," Winston said, his face betraying a sense of calm. He had always known Alexander's weakness—Evelyn. Any threat to her would drive Alexander to irrational decisions.

If Alexander watched Cedric die, his relationship with Evelyn would end. Winston was confident Alexander wouldn't make such a foolish choice. Alexander thought bitterly, Winston has bet correctly. Even without Evelyn, he couldn't watch Cedric die. Cedric saved his life! He had always seen Cedric as his own father.’

"Save him!" Alexander's voice was chillingly determined, "If anything happens to Cedric this time, Douglas Wealthington won't get what he wants either!"

"Sir, from the moment you were born, you've had the noble blood of the Wealthingtons. Now, you've made the wisest decision. Believe me, the Wealthingtons can offer you much more than just assets," Winston said, unfazed by Alexander's threats.

The Wealthington family, known as the world's top elite family, possessed power beyond mere financial assets—their true power was unimaginable to the ordinary world.

"Wise?" Alexander clenched his teeth in anger. He had wanted to live away from family disputes, leading a simple life. Yet, the Wealthingtons treated him like a puppet, manipulating him and repeatedly harming his loved ones. At that moment, Alexander resolved, ‘From today on, I will not retreat. I will make Douglas Wealthington and the entire Wealthington family pay!’

Unaware of Alexander's thoughts, Winston presented a contract, smiling, "Sir, this is a welcoming gift from your father. Just sign here, and all of the Wealthington assets in Los Luminares will be yours."

Alexander glanced coldly at the contract, listing various industries—real estate, dining, telecommunications, entertainment, internet...spanning almost every sector. The total value was in the billions!

For the first time, Alexander realized the terrifying extent of the world’s top family, the Wealthington family's wealth. Just their assets in Los Luminares alone were worth billions. The global total was unimaginable. The more he knew, the greater the pressure he felt. But Alexander had no way out. Even knowing it was a trap set by Douglas Wealthington, he had to jump. Without hesitation, he signed his name.

"Congratulations, sir. From now on, you are the richest man in Los Luminares," Winston bowed respectfully.

"The richest man in Los Luminares?" Alexander sneered inwardly. To the average person, becoming instantly wealthy would be a dream come true, but not for Alexander.

If possible, he would rather live a simple life with Evelyn than be any kind of tycoon. He knew that by accepting the Wealthington assets in Los Luminares, he was stepping back into a world he had once escaped—a world where a single mistake could cost him his life.

After Alexander left, Winston pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Sir, he agreed," Winston reported respectfully.

"Fine," came the indifferent reply from the other end, not at all surprised by the outcome, "Stay in Los Luminares for now, assisting Alexander in gaining control of the industries."

“Yes, sir.” Winston replied.

The voice on the phone came again, “Also, I'll send a Ghost Guard to protect Alexander discreetly."

Ghost Guard? Winston's eyes widened in shock. He hadn't expected Douglas Wealthington to dispatch a Ghost Guard for Alexander's protection. ‘What is it about this illegitimate son that makes Douglas Wealthington take such serious measures?’

The Ghost Guards were the core military force of the Wealthington family, with Douglas spending over thirty billion to purchase an island for their training base. He recruited suitable children globally, subjecting them to brutal training from a young age. Each instructor was a top warrior.

Each year, thousands aspire to enter the rigorous training camp for the Ghost Guards, but ultimately, only one prevails! It goes without saying, the Ghost Guards trained by the Wealthington family are formidable beyond imagination.

Winston Carl was well aware that even Douglas Wealthington's own son had no entitlement to the protection of a Ghost Guard, yet, Alexander Wealthington, the illegitimate child, had this privilege. He speculated that there must be some unknown secret about Alexander, a secret potentially far more valuable than the Wealthington family's vast fortune.

Following Winston's arrangements, Cedric Miller's surgery was completed without a hitch. Seeing that Cedric was out of danger, Alexander decided to buy two cups of coffee, considering Eleanor Grace Miller and Evelyn Miller had stayed in the hospital room all night, they must be exhausted.

Just as Alexander was about to enter the room, he heard Eleanor's voice from inside, "Evelyn, once your father recovers this time, you should divorce Wealthington."