BENEATH THE BILLIONAIRE SHADOW

Untitled Episode2

The impossible proposal

The city would not stop talking about it.

Andriana was sitting in a moving car. She could feel the city buzzing. Phones were ringing. Notifications were popping up on phones. News headlines were spreading fast.

She looked at her phone. Her hands were shaking because alerts kept coming in.

Billionaire CEO's Secret Son Revealed.

Mystery Woman Identified as Former Journalist Adriana Vale.

Did Luca Deveraux Hide a Child for Five Years?

Her stomach turned. She had protected Daniel for five years. She had built a life for them. Now it was all gone in one afternoon.

Daniel was sitting beside her in the car seat. He was kicking his sneakers against the seat. He seemed interested in the car.

"Mommy," he whispered. "This car smells like toys."

She forced a smile. "That is because someone takes care of it."

Daniel nodded. He looked serious. Like this explained everything.

Luca was sitting across from them. He was quiet. He kept looking at Daniel. This made Adriana uncomfortable.

Five years ago, Andriana had walked away from Luca Deveraux. She thought she would never see him again. Then he was a powerful man she was investigating. A man whose name kept popping up in documents. She thought he was hiding something.

Then her investigation just disappeared. Her editor refused to publish the story. Sources vanished. Her reputation fell apart. Then Luca Deveraux walked away.

That was the end of everything… So she thought.

Daniel looked up at Lucas. "You are really rich?" he asked. Andriana almost choked.

"Daniel," she warned softly.

Luca answered calmly. "Yes."

Daniel blinked. "Like a superhero?"

Luca's mouth almost smiled. "Something like that."

Daniel thought about it. "Do you have a rocket car?" he asked.

"No," Lucas replied.

"A robot?"

"No," Lucas said again.

Daniel frowned. "That is not very impressive."

Andriana laughed. This was the time she felt a little better since the chaos outside the school.

The car slowed down. Andriana looked out the window. Her stomach dropped. The tall glass building in front of them shone in the afternoon sun. It was Deveraux Holdings. The heart of Lucas empire. The place where her career had died.

The car stopped. Security guards came up. One of them opened the door. "Mr. Devereux." Luca stepped out first. Andriana hesitated.

"Mommy?" Daniel said.

She got out of the car. She stepped onto the sidewalk. The wind cut across the plaza.

Inside the building, the lobby was wide and bright. People noticed them. Employees slowed as Luca walked past. Some nodded. Others stared at Andriana and Daniel. Whispers followed them.

She felt her shoulders tighten. Daniel squeezed her hand.

"Why are they looking at us?" he whispered.

"Because your dad is important," she said quietly.

The word slipped out.

Daniel looked thoughtful. Luca heard it too, but he said nothing.

They entered an elevator. The doors closed quietly. For a moment no one spoke.

The elevator moved upward. She crossed her arms.

"You still have not explained why we are here," she said.

Luca watched the rising floor numbers. "Because this affects us more than us."

"That is not an answer," Adriana said.

"It is the truth," Luca replied.

The elevator stopped. The doors opened to a conference room. Several people stood inside. They all turned when Luca entered.

She felt the weight of every stare. Daniel squeezed her hand tighter.

"Mommy," he whispered. "Why are they also looking at us?"

"Because they are curious," she murmured.

One man stepped forward. Tall calm eyes.

"Luca," he said smoothly.

"Victor," Luca replied.

Victor Hale. A board member and powerful investor.

His gaze shifted to her and Daniel. "So the rumors are true."

Victor smiled politely. "You have created quite a situation."

"Investors are calling every minute," he continued. "The press is losing its mind downstairs. The company name is over social media."

He gestured toward Daniel. "Over this."

Andriana pulled her son closer. "My son is not a scandal," she said sharply.

Victor's smile did not change. "No child is a scandal, but secrets are."

Daniel shifted. "Mommy, who's he?" he whispered.

"Someone your father works with," she said quietly.

Victor's eyes flickered. "Father."

The room seemed colder.

Luca stepped forward slightly. "What do you want, Victor?"

"A solution."

Andriana folded her arms. "No one asked you."

Victor ignored her. "The board has concerns. Your company is already under investigation for fraud. Now the media believes you hid a child for five years."

"It is none of the board's business, "Luca said.

The room was still. The employees nearby pretended not to listen. But everyone was listening.

Victor turned to Adriana. "You were a journalist once, were you not?"

"Yes."

"You were investigating Devereux Holdings years ago."

She felt the old anger rising. "Yes."

". The investigation suddenly disappeared."

"Funny how that happened."

Her chest tightened.

"That is enough," Luca said.

Victor shrugged. "I am simply pointing out the public perception problem."

Victor continued. "The public likes stories. Stability. Responsibility. Respectability. Family." He paused. Then he said the word that changed everything. "Marriage."

The room went silent. The word hit her once again

"This is ridiculous," Adriana said.

"A public marriage between you and Luca would end the scandal overnight," Victor said.

"You want us to get married to make the scandal go away?" she asked.

Victor walked to the window. "The press already knows the boy exists. Soon they will know his name. His school. His friends. They will follow him everywhere," he continued. "They will photograph him. Question people around him."

"Stop talking about him like that," she said.

"You can prevent it," Victor said.

"How?" she asked.

"Give them a story they can accept."

"What story is that?"

"That Luca Deveraux is a father who married the mother of his child."

Andriana looked at Lucas. "You actually think this is an idea?"

Luca did not answer. He was watching Daniel drawing shapes on the floor. Unaware his future was being negotiated.

Finally, Luca spoke. "Everyone leave."

"Now " he said.

They all left.

Victor paused at the door. "Think carefully. The media storm outside is starting."

The door closed.

Daniel looked up. "Are we in trouble?"

"No sweetheart. Everything is fine," she answered. She did not sound sure.

Luca stepped closer. "Adriana. We need to talk."

"There is nothing to talk about."

"There is."

"Don't tell me you are thinking about what he said."

"We have already mentioned earlier that it’s not supposed to be new to you, and I am also thinking about Daniel's future." He say

"Do not use him as an excuse," she says.

"Marriage gives us control," Luca said.

"You mean control of me," she thought.

"No. To protect Daniel."

"Do you think a ring solves everything?" she asked.

"It solves enough," he replied.

"What happens after the scandal ends?" she asked.

"Then we decide what happens next," he replied.

"You are asking me to marry you."

"Like that?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied.

"What if I refuse?"

Then the world keeps digging. "Eventually," he said quietly, "they will find Daniel."

Andriana looked down at her son. Her world had never felt smaller, and suddenly the choice felt real.