THE SECRET LIFE BILLIONAIRE

Chapter 3

Ryan was sitting in a famous clothing store in Fallen Hall. He stared at a middle-aged woman standing in front of the mirror. She was trying on a gold dress with shining pearl accents. Although she was no longer young, the woman still looked beautiful, charming and elegant. The dresses she was trying on were the latest releases by the famous designer who owned this store. Not just anyone can get this limited edition dress.

“You should go back to the company. Your grandfather made big changes after Felix left. He wants you to be the heir to our family,” said the woman. She was Grace Natalie Anderson, Ryan’s mother. “This is a great opportunity for you, Ryan.”

Ryan snorted. He still remembered the cruel words his grandfather had said. His grandfather had never been kind to him. He considered Ryan an unruly thug, while Felix acted like an obedient pet dog. That was why Felix was able to win the heart of his grandfather, Williams Anderson.

“Why did he ask you to come back? Why didn’t he find Felix and let him take over the company?” Ryan deliberately teased. “Did grandpa just realize that Felix was useless? He just realized that Felix was a hypocrite.”

Grace was still staring at herself in front of the mirror. Occasionally, she glanced at her son, who had a casual appearance. Actually, she was worried about her son, but she couldn't do anything.

"I know you're disappointed, Ryan. At that time, I didn't mean to let you go, but I was nothing in this family. I'm just a daughter-in-law in this family. Your grandfather decides everything."

Ryan stood while looking at some of the clothing collections in this store. He saw some beautiful dresses and then imagined his wife wearing those dresses. He never gave Ariana luxury goods. He then took some dresses.

"I want to take this." Ryan showed the clothes to his mother.

Grace glanced. She saw her son holding some dresses.

"You care about your wife so much. Even though her family hates you so much."

"Don't touch her, Mom." Ryan warned his mother. "She doesn't know anything. She can accept my condition. Just let her."

"So..." Grace turned her body, approaching her son, who had not wanted to return home for two years because he was hurt by his grandfather's treatment. "You have to return to the Anderson family. We will create a new image for our company after the scandal that happened to Felix.

Grace handed Ryan a black card. She looked at her son seriously.

“There are twenty million dollars here. You can use it as you wish, but your grandfather has a condition. You have to make this amount two to three times as much through the company. After that, you are officially confirmed to be the heir of the Anderson family.”

Ryan took the black card. He did not respond to his mother’s words, but what happened to Ariana last time had aroused Ryan’s anger. He could not accept his wife being toyed with. Moreover, Ariana still chooses to stay with her marriage to Ryan even though her family forces her to divorce. He did not want Ariana to continue to be humiliated like this.

“We will see, but you have to make sure Ariana is not hurt. I will not remain silent if anyone touches her. Even if it is Grandfather.”

***

Anderson Hill Company, the company owned by the Anderson family, is the number one company in Fallen Hill. Some time ago, there was a big scandal involving Felix Anderson, so Felix had to go abroad to avoid the bad news that affected the company. That is why Anderson Hill Company is rebranding and has a new CEO to pump up the company. This company will create a new company that will certainly be very attractive to business people who want to work with them. One of them is, of course, The Brown Rock Enterprise. The Taylor family company has been in crisis since Vincent Brown died.

The top brass in this family really wanted to be involved in Anderson's new business because this is the best way to raise the company's level, which is currently in an unwell condition.

"We have to send someone to talk to the CEO of Anderson Hill Company so that they can be involved in developing this business. If we can work with them, then we can solve the slightly difficult situation in our company." Jack led the discussion.

Rose looked at each family present. She felt so ambitious about this project. It was challenging to lobby Anderson Hill Company. They had high standards to be able to work with them.

"I heard the new CEO is still young. We have to send someone who is young and also attractive. That will be a plus point to being able to get good results," said one of the family members.

Rose glanced at Jack and Ariana. They were the only two available for that. But Jack was not good at dialogue.

“You can do it, Ariana,” Rose said. “Use your beauty to make this business run smoothly.”

Jack smiled. “You should seduce the CEO of Anderson Hill Company. That would be good for you. You haven’t done anything so far. If you can seduce the CEO, then that would be good for our family.”

Ariana didn’t like Jack’s words, as if he was belittling Ariana’s abilities. No one believed in her abilities so far.

“I’m not sure if she can,” said another family member. “Jack, you do it. This is an important project. Don’t give it to just anyone.”

Ariana glanced cynically at her family, who didn’t appreciate her at all. She was part of this family. She had the same rights as the others.

On the other hand, Jack was thinking of a plan. Vincent Brown’s direct grandchildren in this family were only him and Ariana. Of course, Jack didn’t want Ariana to own the family’s wealth. He wanted it all to be his. Because of that, Jack wanted to support Ariana because he was thinking of a plan so that Ariana would not get anything in this family. This company must belong to him.

"What if I can do it?" Ariana suddenly challenged everyone. She felt she had to prove her ability. She knew her family underestimated her because of Ryan.

"Interesting," Jack said. "As far as I know, it is very difficult to lobby Anderson Hill Company. They are very picky. Even though we are in their number as the richest family in Fallen Hall, they still won't consider it. So, if you can get a project with them, then I will bow down in front of your useless husband. I will apologize to him for what I said the other day," said Jack.