The Billionaire She Mistook for a Nobody
Language: en
My wife casually gave the keepsake I had worn for ten full years after my father’s death to her male best friend, who had just returned from overseas. She said, “It’s just a cheap little peach-wood charm. Ryan’s been having terrible luck lately. What’s wrong with letting him wear it for a few days to ward off evil?” My son applauded beside her. “Dad’s the cheapest-looking one anyway. It looks much better on Uncle Ryan!” My mother-in-law rolled her eyes. “It belonged to a dead man. Giving it away is practically inviting bad luck.” As I looked at the provocative smile on her male best…
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Chapter 1
My wife casually gave the keepsake I had worn for ten full years after my father’s death to her male best friend, who had just returned from overseas.
She said, “It’s just a cheap little peach-wood charm. Ryan’s been having terrible luck lately. What’s wrong with letting him wear it for a few days to ward off evil?”
My son applauded beside her. “Dad’s the cheapest-looking one anyway. It looks much better on Uncle Ryan!”
My mother-in-law rolled her eyes. “It belonged to a dead man. Giving it away is practically inviting bad luck.”
As I looked at the provocative smile on her male best friend’s face, I did not endure it silently as I usually did.
I grabbed the red cord around his neck and tore it apart, then looked coldly at Chloe.
“We’re getting divorced. You’re leaving with nothing.”
The red cord had cut into my palm until it bled.
My father’s name was still carved into the peach-wood charm.
Chloe frowned and reached out to snatch it from me.
“Ethan, what the hell is wrong with you?”
“Ryan just got discharged after a car accident. What’s wrong with him wearing a peach-wood charm to ward off evil?”
Her voice was filled with impatience.
Ryan coughed weakly twice beside her.
“Chloe, forget it. Ethan probably thinks I’m not worthy of wearing this charm.”
“I should leave. I don’t want to affect your marriage.”
He pretended to stand, but his body went limp and fell toward Chloe.
She hurriedly caught him, then turned and glared fiercely at me.
“Ethan, look at how petty you’re being!”
“It’s just a cheap trinket from a street stall. Do you really have to make such a big deal out of it?”
I looked at their bodies pressed tightly together.
At that moment, the part of me blinded by love finally died for good.
“Chloe, this belonged to my father.”
My voice held no warmth.
“I know.”
Chloe answered as if it were perfectly obvious.
“But is something that belonged to a dead person more important than a living person’s life?”
“If something happens to Ryan, can you afford to take responsibility?”
I laughed so hard that tears nearly came to my eyes.
My son, Tommy, ran over and threw an Ultraman card at me.
“Bad Daddy! You’re not allowed to take Uncle Ryan’s things!”
“Uncle Ryan is my real dad. You’re a horrible person!”
I looked at the child I had personally raised for five years.
Every piece of clothing he wore and everything he used had been bought with money I earned from working side jobs.
Yet Ryan was the only person he could see.
My mother-in-law, Diane, sat on the sofa cracking sunflower seeds and let out a cold snort.
“Tommy’s right. You’re stingy every single day. You can’t even bear to give up a wooden charm.”
“I honestly don’t know what Chloe ever saw in a penniless loser like you.”
I took a deep breath and put the protective wooden charm into my pocket.
“Chloe, I’ll send you the divorce papers tomorrow.”
The entire living room instantly fell silent.
Chloe froze for a moment, then sneered.
“Ethan, are you trying that trick again?”
“You’ve played hard-to-get so many times that you’ve turned yourself into a clown.”
She did not believe me at all.
For the past five years, I had given up my right to inherit the Hart Group and willingly become a househusband for her.
In her eyes, I would starve to death on the street the moment I left her.
“I’m serious.”
I turned and walked into the bedroom to pack my things.
I actually owned very little.
A few clothes washed pale from years of wear, and the old watch my father had given me when I got married.
I did not know when Ryan had entered the room.
He leaned against the doorframe, swirling a glass of red wine in his hand.
“Ethan, stop pretending.”
“You really think you can leave?”
“Chloe is now the general manager of the Bennett Group. Once you leave, you won’t even have a hot meal to eat.”
His face was full of smug satisfaction.
I ignored him and continued pulling the zipper on my suitcase closed.
Ryan moved closer and lowered his voice.
“To tell you the truth, Chloe slept at my place last night.”
“She said you’re as dull as a piece of wood and have absolutely no sense of romance.”
“You’ve lived like a widower for five years. How does it feel?”
I stopped what I was doing and looked at him coldly.
“Ryan, do you know how to spell the word ‘idiot’?”
His expression changed.
I punched him directly in the face.
“Bang!”
Ryan fell to the floor, spilling red wine all over himself.
“Ah! Murder!”
He clutched his face and screamed.
Chloe and her mother immediately rushed in.
“Ethan! Have you lost your mind?”
Chloe screamed as she threw herself toward Ryan, her eyes full of concern.
“Ryan, are you okay?”
Ryan covered his face and began to sob.
“Chloe, don’t blame Ethan. I just lost my balance.”
“He’s probably only jealous of me.”
Diane pointed at my nose and launched into a furious tirade.
“You good-for-nothing piece of trash! How dare you hit someone in our home!”
“Get out! We don’t have a violent maniac like you in this family!”
I picked up my suitcase and walked around them.
“You don’t need to rush me. I’m leaving right now.”
She said, “It’s just a cheap little peach-wood charm. Ryan’s been having terrible luck lately. What’s wrong with letting him wear it for a few days to ward off evil?”
My son applauded beside her. “Dad’s the cheapest-looking one anyway. It looks much better on Uncle Ryan!”
My mother-in-law rolled her eyes. “It belonged to a dead man. Giving it away is practically inviting bad luck.”
As I looked at the provocative smile on her male best friend’s face, I did not endure it silently as I usually did.
I grabbed the red cord around his neck and tore it apart, then looked coldly at Chloe.
“We’re getting divorced. You’re leaving with nothing.”
The red cord had cut into my palm until it bled.
My father’s name was still carved into the peach-wood charm.
Chloe frowned and reached out to snatch it from me.
“Ethan, what the hell is wrong with you?”
“Ryan just got discharged after a car accident. What’s wrong with him wearing a peach-wood charm to ward off evil?”
Her voice was filled with impatience.
Ryan coughed weakly twice beside her.
“Chloe, forget it. Ethan probably thinks I’m not worthy of wearing this charm.”
“I should leave. I don’t want to affect your marriage.”
He pretended to stand, but his body went limp and fell toward Chloe.
She hurriedly caught him, then turned and glared fiercely at me.
“Ethan, look at how petty you’re being!”
“It’s just a cheap trinket from a street stall. Do you really have to make such a big deal out of it?”
I looked at their bodies pressed tightly together.
At that moment, the part of me blinded by love finally died for good.
“Chloe, this belonged to my father.”
My voice held no warmth.
“I know.”
Chloe answered as if it were perfectly obvious.
“But is something that belonged to a dead person more important than a living person’s life?”
“If something happens to Ryan, can you afford to take responsibility?”
I laughed so hard that tears nearly came to my eyes.
My son, Tommy, ran over and threw an Ultraman card at me.
“Bad Daddy! You’re not allowed to take Uncle Ryan’s things!”
“Uncle Ryan is my real dad. You’re a horrible person!”
I looked at the child I had personally raised for five years.
Every piece of clothing he wore and everything he used had been bought with money I earned from working side jobs.
Yet Ryan was the only person he could see.
My mother-in-law, Diane, sat on the sofa cracking sunflower seeds and let out a cold snort.
“Tommy’s right. You’re stingy every single day. You can’t even bear to give up a wooden charm.”
“I honestly don’t know what Chloe ever saw in a penniless loser like you.”
I took a deep breath and put the protective wooden charm into my pocket.
“Chloe, I’ll send you the divorce papers tomorrow.”
The entire living room instantly fell silent.
Chloe froze for a moment, then sneered.
“Ethan, are you trying that trick again?”
“You’ve played hard-to-get so many times that you’ve turned yourself into a clown.”
She did not believe me at all.
For the past five years, I had given up my right to inherit the Hart Group and willingly become a househusband for her.
In her eyes, I would starve to death on the street the moment I left her.
“I’m serious.”
I turned and walked into the bedroom to pack my things.
I actually owned very little.
A few clothes washed pale from years of wear, and the old watch my father had given me when I got married.
I did not know when Ryan had entered the room.
He leaned against the doorframe, swirling a glass of red wine in his hand.
“Ethan, stop pretending.”
“You really think you can leave?”
“Chloe is now the general manager of the Bennett Group. Once you leave, you won’t even have a hot meal to eat.”
His face was full of smug satisfaction.
I ignored him and continued pulling the zipper on my suitcase closed.
Ryan moved closer and lowered his voice.
“To tell you the truth, Chloe slept at my place last night.”
“She said you’re as dull as a piece of wood and have absolutely no sense of romance.”
“You’ve lived like a widower for five years. How does it feel?”
I stopped what I was doing and looked at him coldly.
“Ryan, do you know how to spell the word ‘idiot’?”
His expression changed.
I punched him directly in the face.
“Bang!”
Ryan fell to the floor, spilling red wine all over himself.
“Ah! Murder!”
He clutched his face and screamed.
Chloe and her mother immediately rushed in.
“Ethan! Have you lost your mind?”
Chloe screamed as she threw herself toward Ryan, her eyes full of concern.
“Ryan, are you okay?”
Ryan covered his face and began to sob.
“Chloe, don’t blame Ethan. I just lost my balance.”
“He’s probably only jealous of me.”
Diane pointed at my nose and launched into a furious tirade.
“You good-for-nothing piece of trash! How dare you hit someone in our home!”
“Get out! We don’t have a violent maniac like you in this family!”
I picked up my suitcase and walked around them.
“You don’t need to rush me. I’m leaving right now.”
Chapter 2
The night wind was bitterly cold against my face, finally clearing my head.
I reached into my pocket and touched the peach-wood charm.
It still held the warmth of my body.
My phone began vibrating violently in my pocket, and Chloe’s name flashed across the screen.
I answered the call.
“Ethan, where the hell are you?”
Chloe’s cold voice came through the receiver.
“Get your ass back here right now and apologize to Ryan.”
“His face is swollen because of you.”
I took a deep breath and kept my voice calm.
“Chloe, I told you. We’re getting divorced.”
“Be at the courthouse at ten tomorrow morning.”
There was a one-second silence on the other end before Chloe let out an even angrier roar.
“Ethan, have you grown a backbone?”
“Don’t forget that you eat my food and live in my house!”
“Once we’re divorced, you won’t even be able to afford a bowl of hot noodles!”
At that moment, Ryan’s weak cough came through the phone.
“Chloe, don’t yell at Ethan.”
“This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have made him angry.”
“My face is fine. It just hurts a little. Don’t argue with Ethan.”
The moment Chloe heard Ryan’s voice, her tone instantly softened.
“Ryan, you’re just too kind. That’s why this violent man can bully you.”
Then she spoke to me again.
“Ethan, did you hear that?”
“Ryan is still speaking up for you!”
“You ungrateful bastard. You disgust me!”
Diane’s loud voice joined the conversation.
“Chloe, why are you wasting your breath on that freeloader?”
“Tell him to get out! Let’s see how many days he can survive on his own!”
“Without the Bennett family, he’s nothing but a beggar!”
I tugged at the corner of my mouth.
“Then wait and see which one of us ends up begging.”
I hung up and blocked every way Chloe could contact me.
The world was finally quiet.
Looking at my phone screen, I dialed another number—a number I had not called in five years.
The call was answered after only one ring.
“Young Master?”
Uncle James, the head butler of the Hart Group, sounded as though he were trembling.
“It’s me, Uncle James.”
I spoke softly.
“I’ve decided to come back.”
“Can you send a car to pick me up?”
Uncle James began crying with excitement on the other end.
“That’s wonderful! Your father can finally rest in peace!”
“Young Master, where are you? I’ll arrange a whole motorcade immediately!”
“I’ll also prepare all the company documents for you!”
I gave him the name of the intersection where I was standing.
Ten minutes later.
An entire line of black Rolls-Royces slowly pulled to the side of the road.
The doors opened in perfect unison.
Dozens of bodyguards in black suits quickly got out and formed two lines.
Uncle James jogged toward me and bowed respectfully.
“Young Master, welcome home!”
I got into the back seat, where the leather seats felt incredibly comfortable.
I watched the streets slide past outside the window.
Chloe, you thought I was nothing but a penniless loser.
You had no idea what I had given up for you.
Now, I don’t want you anymore.
I reached into my pocket and touched the peach-wood charm.
It still held the warmth of my body.
My phone began vibrating violently in my pocket, and Chloe’s name flashed across the screen.
I answered the call.
“Ethan, where the hell are you?”
Chloe’s cold voice came through the receiver.
“Get your ass back here right now and apologize to Ryan.”
“His face is swollen because of you.”
I took a deep breath and kept my voice calm.
“Chloe, I told you. We’re getting divorced.”
“Be at the courthouse at ten tomorrow morning.”
There was a one-second silence on the other end before Chloe let out an even angrier roar.
“Ethan, have you grown a backbone?”
“Don’t forget that you eat my food and live in my house!”
“Once we’re divorced, you won’t even be able to afford a bowl of hot noodles!”
At that moment, Ryan’s weak cough came through the phone.
“Chloe, don’t yell at Ethan.”
“This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have made him angry.”
“My face is fine. It just hurts a little. Don’t argue with Ethan.”
The moment Chloe heard Ryan’s voice, her tone instantly softened.
“Ryan, you’re just too kind. That’s why this violent man can bully you.”
Then she spoke to me again.
“Ethan, did you hear that?”
“Ryan is still speaking up for you!”
“You ungrateful bastard. You disgust me!”
Diane’s loud voice joined the conversation.
“Chloe, why are you wasting your breath on that freeloader?”
“Tell him to get out! Let’s see how many days he can survive on his own!”
“Without the Bennett family, he’s nothing but a beggar!”
I tugged at the corner of my mouth.
“Then wait and see which one of us ends up begging.”
I hung up and blocked every way Chloe could contact me.
The world was finally quiet.
Looking at my phone screen, I dialed another number—a number I had not called in five years.
The call was answered after only one ring.
“Young Master?”
Uncle James, the head butler of the Hart Group, sounded as though he were trembling.
“It’s me, Uncle James.”
I spoke softly.
“I’ve decided to come back.”
“Can you send a car to pick me up?”
Uncle James began crying with excitement on the other end.
“That’s wonderful! Your father can finally rest in peace!”
“Young Master, where are you? I’ll arrange a whole motorcade immediately!”
“I’ll also prepare all the company documents for you!”
I gave him the name of the intersection where I was standing.
Ten minutes later.
An entire line of black Rolls-Royces slowly pulled to the side of the road.
The doors opened in perfect unison.
Dozens of bodyguards in black suits quickly got out and formed two lines.
Uncle James jogged toward me and bowed respectfully.
“Young Master, welcome home!”
I got into the back seat, where the leather seats felt incredibly comfortable.
I watched the streets slide past outside the window.
Chloe, you thought I was nothing but a penniless loser.
You had no idea what I had given up for you.
Now, I don’t want you anymore.
Chapter 3
The next morning.
I woke up in the enormous bed at the Hart family estate.
Uncle James had already prepared a tailored suit for me.
“Young Master, this was hand-stitched by a French designer.”
“This morning, the Hart Group and the Bennett Group are holding a contract-signing ceremony for a project.”
“Would you like to attend?”
I put on the suit and fastened my cuff links.
The man in the mirror had a cold gaze. The gentle househusband I had once been was gone.
“Of course I’m going.”
“I want to see with my own eyes how Chloe signs this contract.”
Meanwhile, at the Bennett family villa.
Chloe was carefully placing a bandage over Ryan’s injury.
“Ryan, today’s signing ceremony is very important. You have to come with me.”
Ryan hesitated.
“But what if Ethan finds out? Won’t he hit me again?”
Diane rolled her eyes beside them.
“What does he even count for?”
“As long as the Bennett family signs this five-hundred-million-dollar contract with the Hart Group today, we’ll become a wealthy family!”
“That loser is probably freezing under a bridge somewhere right now!”
Chloe sneered as well.
“He’s useless. Nothing can be done with him.”
“Forget him. Let’s go.”
Half an hour later.
Outside the five-star hotel owned by the Hart Group.
Luxury cars filled the entrance.
Chloe stepped out of the car with her arm linked through Ryan’s, looking triumphant.
Diane followed behind them in an elegant, expensive-looking dress.
The moment they appeared, they attracted the attention of several reporters.
“Ms. Bennett, we heard that the Hart Group specifically requested to cooperate with your company?”
A reporter held a microphone in front of Chloe.
Chloe lifted her chin proudly.
“That’s right. The Hart Group has great confidence in our abilities.”
Ryan chimed in beside her.
“Everyone knows how capable Chloe is. She’s nothing like certain people who only know how to live off a woman.”
Just then, a stretch limousine pulled up outside the hotel.
The door opened.
I slowly stepped out in a dark blue suit.
The smiles on Chloe and Ryan’s faces instantly froze.
Diane let out a cry.
“Ethan? What is a penniless loser like you doing here?”
Chloe quickly walked up to me with a deep frown.
“Ethan, are you following me?”
“What kind of fake designer suit are you wearing? You rented it, didn’t you?”
“Get out of here before you embarrass yourself!”
I looked at her without the slightest change in my expression.
“I’m here, of course, to attend the signing ceremony.”
Ryan could not hold back his mocking laugh.
“Ethan, stop joking around.”
“This is an internal signing event for the Hart Group. Without an invitation, you can’t even get through the main entrance.”
“You don’t even have a respectable job. Who would invite you?”
Diane shouted from the side.
“Security! Where the hell is security?”
“How did you let a beggar like this inside?”
“If he causes trouble for a guest of the Hart Group, can you afford the consequences?”
Several security guards immediately surrounded us.
I woke up in the enormous bed at the Hart family estate.
Uncle James had already prepared a tailored suit for me.
“Young Master, this was hand-stitched by a French designer.”
“This morning, the Hart Group and the Bennett Group are holding a contract-signing ceremony for a project.”
“Would you like to attend?”
I put on the suit and fastened my cuff links.
The man in the mirror had a cold gaze. The gentle househusband I had once been was gone.
“Of course I’m going.”
“I want to see with my own eyes how Chloe signs this contract.”
Meanwhile, at the Bennett family villa.
Chloe was carefully placing a bandage over Ryan’s injury.
“Ryan, today’s signing ceremony is very important. You have to come with me.”
Ryan hesitated.
“But what if Ethan finds out? Won’t he hit me again?”
Diane rolled her eyes beside them.
“What does he even count for?”
“As long as the Bennett family signs this five-hundred-million-dollar contract with the Hart Group today, we’ll become a wealthy family!”
“That loser is probably freezing under a bridge somewhere right now!”
Chloe sneered as well.
“He’s useless. Nothing can be done with him.”
“Forget him. Let’s go.”
Half an hour later.
Outside the five-star hotel owned by the Hart Group.
Luxury cars filled the entrance.
Chloe stepped out of the car with her arm linked through Ryan’s, looking triumphant.
Diane followed behind them in an elegant, expensive-looking dress.
The moment they appeared, they attracted the attention of several reporters.
“Ms. Bennett, we heard that the Hart Group specifically requested to cooperate with your company?”
A reporter held a microphone in front of Chloe.
Chloe lifted her chin proudly.
“That’s right. The Hart Group has great confidence in our abilities.”
Ryan chimed in beside her.
“Everyone knows how capable Chloe is. She’s nothing like certain people who only know how to live off a woman.”
Just then, a stretch limousine pulled up outside the hotel.
The door opened.
I slowly stepped out in a dark blue suit.
The smiles on Chloe and Ryan’s faces instantly froze.
Diane let out a cry.
“Ethan? What is a penniless loser like you doing here?”
Chloe quickly walked up to me with a deep frown.
“Ethan, are you following me?”
“What kind of fake designer suit are you wearing? You rented it, didn’t you?”
“Get out of here before you embarrass yourself!”
I looked at her without the slightest change in my expression.
“I’m here, of course, to attend the signing ceremony.”
Ryan could not hold back his mocking laugh.
“Ethan, stop joking around.”
“This is an internal signing event for the Hart Group. Without an invitation, you can’t even get through the main entrance.”
“You don’t even have a respectable job. Who would invite you?”
Diane shouted from the side.
“Security! Where the hell is security?”
“How did you let a beggar like this inside?”
“If he causes trouble for a guest of the Hart Group, can you afford the consequences?”
Several security guards immediately surrounded us.
Chapter 4
The security guards looked at me, then at Chloe.
“Ma’am, may I ask what the problem is?”
Chloe pointed at me with contempt.
“This man is unemployed. He doesn’t have an invitation and sneaked in.”
“Remove him immediately. Don’t let him disrupt today’s ceremony.”
Ryan sighed as well.
“Ethan, take my advice and go home.”
“No matter how much you dress like a successful businessman, you can’t change the fact that you’re an ordinary man.”
“Making a scene here won’t do you any good.”
I looked at Ryan calmly.
“Ryan, does your face not hurt anymore?”
His expression changed, and he instinctively took a step backward.
Chloe immediately stepped in front of him and glared at me.
“Ethan! Are you trying to hit someone again?”
“I’m warning you. There are cameras everywhere here!”
“If you touch Ryan again, I’ll make sure you spend the rest of your life in prison!”
Diane smiled smugly beside them.
“Why are you still talking to him? Security, hurry up and do something!”
Just as the guards were about to push me away, a commotion broke out at the entrance to the lobby.
“The Hart Group’s CEO, Mr. Carter, has arrived!”
Everyone turned to look.
A middle-aged man hurried into the lobby surrounded by several people.
Chloe’s eyes lit up.
She forgot all about me and immediately pulled Ryan toward him.
“Mr. Carter! It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Chloe Bennett, president of the Bennett Group.”
“This is my partner, Ryan.”
“We’ve already prepared the contract for signing.”
Mr. Carter did not even glance at her.
His eyes swept across the crowd, and he looked extremely anxious.
When he saw me, his eyes suddenly lit up.
Mr. Carter shoved Chloe aside.
He pushed with so much force that she nearly lost her balance and fell to the floor.
“Mr. Carter?”
Chloe stared at him in shock.
Under everyone’s astonished gaze, Mr. Carter hurried over to me.
Then.
He bent at the waist and gave me a respectful ninety-degree bow.
“Young Master!”
“I’m sorry for being late. Please punish me!”
“Ma’am, may I ask what the problem is?”
Chloe pointed at me with contempt.
“This man is unemployed. He doesn’t have an invitation and sneaked in.”
“Remove him immediately. Don’t let him disrupt today’s ceremony.”
Ryan sighed as well.
“Ethan, take my advice and go home.”
“No matter how much you dress like a successful businessman, you can’t change the fact that you’re an ordinary man.”
“Making a scene here won’t do you any good.”
I looked at Ryan calmly.
“Ryan, does your face not hurt anymore?”
His expression changed, and he instinctively took a step backward.
Chloe immediately stepped in front of him and glared at me.
“Ethan! Are you trying to hit someone again?”
“I’m warning you. There are cameras everywhere here!”
“If you touch Ryan again, I’ll make sure you spend the rest of your life in prison!”
Diane smiled smugly beside them.
“Why are you still talking to him? Security, hurry up and do something!”
Just as the guards were about to push me away, a commotion broke out at the entrance to the lobby.
“The Hart Group’s CEO, Mr. Carter, has arrived!”
Everyone turned to look.
A middle-aged man hurried into the lobby surrounded by several people.
Chloe’s eyes lit up.
She forgot all about me and immediately pulled Ryan toward him.
“Mr. Carter! It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Chloe Bennett, president of the Bennett Group.”
“This is my partner, Ryan.”
“We’ve already prepared the contract for signing.”
Mr. Carter did not even glance at her.
His eyes swept across the crowd, and he looked extremely anxious.
When he saw me, his eyes suddenly lit up.
Mr. Carter shoved Chloe aside.
He pushed with so much force that she nearly lost her balance and fell to the floor.
“Mr. Carter?”
Chloe stared at him in shock.
Under everyone’s astonished gaze, Mr. Carter hurried over to me.
Then.
He bent at the waist and gave me a respectful ninety-degree bow.
“Young Master!”
“I’m sorry for being late. Please punish me!”