Rags to Riches: Becoming A Billionaire After Divorce

Chapter 9

Early the next morning, after visiting Ruby in the hospital, Ethan walked out into the fresh air.

Ruby's health was improving daily, and she would soon be home for further recuperation. Thanks to Andrew's influence, she was receiving excellent care in the hospital, which gave Ethan some peace of mind.

Now, it was time to focus on the redevelopment of Ghetto. This project marked the first time Ethan was stepping into the spotlight as the lead project manager.

In the past, although he had been the driving force behind Grande Company's operations, Tommy, the ineffective figurehead, always ended up taking the credit.

But this time, Ethan was determined not only to turn the Ghetto project into a success and elevate Grande Company's reputation but also to demonstrate his capabilities to his father.

After over two decades of neglect and disappointment, his father had suddenly reappeared with intentions of reconciliation. The funding from Andrew had alleviated his immediate financial concerns.

However, Ethan was well aware that some things simply couldn't be resolved with money.

His estranged father was essentially offering a deal, if Ethan succeeded, he could bring Ruby back into the family. He could take over the family and finally bestow upon her the recognition she deserved.

If he failed, he and Ruby would remain as they always had, with his father effectively nonexistent, except for the Redbud Card in his pocket.

Ruby had given up everything for him over the last twenty years, and even if he didn't want it for himself, he was determined to reclaim the respect owed to her.

Lost in thought about the redevelopment project, Ethan slowly made his way from the hospital.

***

Outside, the streets were choked with traffic. Daniel, stuck in his Audi A5, hit the steering wheel in frustration and vented, "What's with these idiots? Driving that clunker and blocking the road—what are they thinking?"

From the passenger seat, Bonnie frowned. "Daniel, do you have road rage or something? What's wrong with driving a regular car?"

"I'm just worried you'll be late for work," Daniel replied, quickly switching gears with a sly smile. "Speaking of which, Bonnie, last night I asked you to game with me, and you said you were going to shower but then you never logged back on. You missed out—I was on fire in the game..."

"Can you just grow up?" Bonnie shot him a stern look. "I was exhausted last night and fell asleep right after my shower." The truth was, she had been too upset and distracted because Ethan hadn't replied to her message. Furthermore, she had no interest in dealing with Daniel. Of course, that was something she wouldn't bother telling him.

Daniel frowned slightly, clearly annoyed. "What's going on with your bank? You're just a teller, yet they work you to the bone. Didn't you just do an overnight shift last week?"

Bonnie shifted uncomfortably and looked away from Daniel. She feared he might read into her reaction too much.

But to Daniel, it seemed like she was genuinely just exhausted. With a sympathetic tone, he said, "Don't worry, Bonnie. We'll have the money for the house soon, and then we can get engaged. Once we're married, you can quit your job if it's too much for you."

"And you would support me?" Bonnie gave him a sideways glance.

Caught off guard, Daniel paused and then replied with a forced chuckle, "Of course, you're going to be my wife!"

"How would you support me?" Bonnie pressed.

Daniel waved off her concern. "Easy, Isabella will help out. She just divorced that deadbeat husband of hers. My mom's already looking to set her up with some rich guy. We won't have to worry about money."

Bonnie's frown deepened, and she felt a growing dislike for Daniel. How did he manage to say so rightfully that your sister has no right to support you?

"Isabella's always been easy to influence. She's given me whatever I've asked for my whole life and has always followed my parents' wishes. Don't worry. Once she marries some wealthy guy, he can support us both," Daniel said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

This only added to Bonnie's irritation. If it weren't for the house they were planning to buy, she would have probably slapped him by now. Her marriage to Daniel had led not only to Isabella's divorce but had also made Ethan the unlucky scapegoat.

She suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for that other Ethan—it all seemed so unfair. Thinking of Ethan, Bonnie's gaze softened momentarily. While glancing sideways at Daniel, she impulsively asked, "Daniel, your former brother-in-law, Ethan, he's really broke?"

"He's flat broke, and doesn't have a dime," Daniel scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Why do you keep asking about this?"

Bonnie shook her head, wondering why she was so fixated. 'The name Ethan is common. Why am I letting my thoughts wander?' She explained, "Well, a customer named Ethan came into the bank last week with a card I didn't even recognize and tried to withdraw money, so it stuck with me. Since you mentioned your former brother-in-law was also named Ethan, I was just curious."

Daniel burst into laughter, practically bending over backward with each breath, "Bonnie, what are you even thinking? That's impossible!" he said dismissively. "Ethan is a total deadbeat, a confirmed pauper. He might have some smarts, enough to land the vice president role at Grande Company, but all the money he makes ends up funding Ruby's hospital bills. If Ethan has money, I'll eat my hat!"

'A sick mother?' Bonnie shuddered as she remembered seeing hospital transaction details in Ethan's account. 'Is that just a coincidence too?'

Daniel kept up his taunts. "But this Ethan you met must be something special. He was using a bank card you don't even recognize? He must be loaded, right? How come my worthless former brother-in-law, also named Ethan, is such a loser?"

Just then, Daniel caught a glimpse of a familiar figure near Lovecare Hospital's entrance.

Smirking, he said to Bonnie, "Oh right, Bonnie, you haven't met him, have you? What a coincidence, let me introduce you so you can see for yourself whether he looks like someone with money." Suddenly, he jerked the steering wheel, and the Audi shot out of the traffic and toward the hospital entrance.

Bonnie was thrown off balance and screamed, "Daniel, are you crazy? Driving like this on a busy road, are you trying to get us killed?"

Screech!

The Audi skidded to a halt right in front of Ethan. Lost in thoughts about the redevelopment project, Ethan stopped abruptly and frowned as an icy edge appeared in his expression.

That was close! If he hadn't stopped in time, the car could have hit him!

"Daniel?" Ethan glared at the figure emerging from the car and said coldly, "Are you trying to kill me?”

"Ethan, I'm just messing with you; did I scare you? My bad. I'm really sorry." Daniel laughed carelessly.

'Messing around?' Ethan's face turned stone-cold. 'Playing with someone's life was a joke to him?'

Unaffected by Ethan's reaction, Daniel pointed toward Lovecare Hospital and said casually, "Here to see your mom again?"

"Yeah," Ethan responded icily.

"She must be pretty close to the end, huh?" Daniel sneered, shrugging nonchalantly. "Look, Ethan, you're technically my former brother-in-law, so let me give you a piece of advice. Your mom's on her way out, and all this money you're dumping into the hospital is just prolonging her agony. Wouldn't it be kinder to let her go peacefully, instead of you ending up broke and alone?"

Crack!

Ethan's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles cracking from the tension.

Meanwhile, Bonnie in the Audi was completely shell-shocked. Her eyes widened as she stared at Ethan's cold, familiar face—it was exactly like the one from her memories. She covered her mouth with her hand, barely suppressing a scream. It really was him!