The Billionaire in Disguise

On our fourth anniversary, I stood outside the office building holding flowers and cake, witnessing my girlfriend's betrayal.

Right in front of me, she was locked in a passionate kiss with another man.

Scarlett Don't blame me, blame yourself for being useless. I don't want to live a broke life forever.

Watching her walk away, arm-in-arm with the guy she cheated with,

I thought: But...

My dad is the CEO!

...

Thud

My bouquet hit the pavement. Scarlett and Chad noticed me.

Scarlett and I had been together for four years. After college, we joined the same company. She didn't want office gossip, so we kept it secret.

Anyone with half a brain could see what was happening now.

Yep.

I got cheated on.

"Here for you?" Chad raised an eyebrow at Scarlett with a hint of disdain in his eyes.

No.

Ex-girlfriend now.

Scarlett looked panicked for a second when she saw me, then quickly composed herself. "Yeah."

Chad smirked at me like I was some clueless loser getting played.

"So this is the simp you were talking about?"

???

Simp??

Look, I'm not known for having a good temper, and I sure as hell won't take insults. I glared at Chad.

"Simp?"

"We've been together since college, fourth year this year. What gives you the right to say that?"

"Seriously, dude? You enjoy picking up other people's trash that much?"

My words wiped the smirk right off Chad's face.

Scarlett snapped at me, "Brad Hamilton! That's enough!"

Then she turned back to Chad, her voice softening instantly. "Chad, honey, go ahead. I'll handle this."

Chad patted her head affectionately. "Sure thing, babe."

The sight was like a knife to the gut. Anyone watching would think they were the couple.

Fighting the urge to hit something, I stared coldly at Scarlett.

She looked up at me, tears welling in her eyes C the look I used to adore, like her eyes held stars.

I kept my face blank, waiting for her to speak, but inside, I was boiling.

It would be a lie if I said there was no feeling after four years together. Right now, I wanted to kill someone.

Part of me even hoped this was all a misunderstanding. If she just explained, I could maybe still love her.

Hah. Maybe I really did sound like a simp.

I thought Scarlett would explain, maybe even beg for forgiveness like she used to. But her voice was ice cold.

"Brad Hamilton, we're done."

Fine. Turns out I'm the clown!

Screw love. It's all bullshit.

I tossed the flowers and cake into a nearby trash can.

"You've wanted out for a while, haven't you?"

"Scarlett, did I ever chain you up? You could just leave whenever you want."

"You didn't need to pull this disgusting stunt."

I turned to leave, but something I said must have hit a nerve.

Scarlett lunged at me, losing it.

"Brad Hamilton, you're so naive! Do you think we're still in college?"

"I'm done playing house with you! What's your 'love' even worth?"

"Chad treats me right. He spends money on me, and he's about to be promoted to VP! Compared to the dead-end life I'd have with you, he can give me so much more!"

"With you, I'd be stuck at the bottom forever!"

I stared at her with stunned. Her words stabbed deep.

"So... it's just about money?"

Pathetic. Four years together, and it meant less than Chad's empty promises.

I thought she'd say she found true love, fell for someone else. Turns out she's just a gold digger.

"Scarlett, you don't have to degrade yourself like this."

I tried to reason, but she spat back:

"Poor person like you will never understand."

Just like that, Scarlett and I were over.

We got together in sophomore year, joined this company after graduation.

We were in the same department but different teams.

For career reasons, no one knew we were dating.

Chad was her manager. I had no clue when they started hooking up.

All I knew was, right after dumping me, she she announced their relationship all over social media.

Scarlett posted a picture: her and Chad, posing.

She was holding a brand-new Herms bag. Caption "Bagging happiness."

Hah.

I laughed, bitter. Our years together meant less than a damn purse.

Furious, I deleted every trace of Scarlett from my phone. What rotten luck.

But one missed screenshot C song lyrics C brought back a flood of college memories.

Scarlett was beautiful and sweet.

Back then, she pursued me first.

I wasn't bad-looking and friends said we were the perfect couple, a real match.

She used to blush every time.

She loved music.

I even started a shared playlist account just for us.

Slowly, my whole library filled with her favorites.

But for over a year, she hadn't touched that playlist.

Guess the signs were there all along.

Heart heavy, I downloaded that music app again and deleted the account.

I'd miss those four years of memories, but I'd never beg her to come back.

I always kept work and my personal life separate.

I didn't bring feelings into the office.

Lately, my team sent me to collaborate with Team Two on a project.

The client was notoriously difficult in our industry.

Since it involved Scarlett's team, Chad inevitably became my temporary boss.

So, imagine the fun: working with your ex-girlfriend and the guy she cheated with.

Especially when she left you for being poor.

I tried to keep cool and avoid drama.

But some people just can't resist poking the bear.

Second day on the job, Chad called me into his office.

Smug as hell, he started right in "Brad Hamilton, as a man, don't you have any self-respect?"

His random jab almost made me laugh.

"What nonsense are you barking now?"

I turned to leave but Chad wouldn't let it go.

"If I were you, I'd have quit already. Seeing your little ex-girlfriend with her rich, powerful new man every day... doesn't that sting?"

"Though I gotta say, your ex is pretty wild in bed."

"Must suck knowing someone else is sleeping with your girl?"

His disgusting words made my skin crawl.

If he wanted a fight, I'd drop the civility.

I grabbed him by the collar, dragged him out of his chair, and yanked the office door open.

Everyone in the office turned, staring.

Whispers erupted.

Someone gasped, "What's happening? Are they gonna fight?"

My fist connected with Chad's face before he could blink. He got a bruise instantly.

Damn, that felt good.

This arrogant prick, always strutting around like he owned the place, which is infuriating.

I pinned him down, hitting him without restraint.

"Your mouth smells like crap! Do you just eat shit all day?"

"You love stealing other guys' girls? Why not shout it from the rooftops?"

"Telling me to quit? Feeling guilty?"

"Who the hell do you think you are, firing me? Think this company belongs to your family?"

"I'll beat you till you call me 'Daddy,' or my name isn't Brad Hamilton!"

I kicked and punched Chad on the floor, pure adrenaline rush.

That bastard deserved every hit.

The stunned colleagues finally snapped out of it and pulled us apart.

A couple of guys held me back. "Brad, chill! Talk it out!"

"Stop fighting!"

Separated, Chad's face was already swelling.

He gasped out a warning, "You! You're fired!"

Fired? Seriously?

Best news all week! I was sick of seeing these two snakes anyway.

For a loudmouth with no bite, not killing him was mercy.

I shot back, just as fierce, "Fire me? You? Look at yourself! What a joke!"

Chad, unused to being humiliated like this in his own office, lunged at me again.

I hoped he would, which gave me another chance to deck him.

Hitting him felt amazing. Hitting him again would feel even better.

Just as we were about to go another round...

"What the hell is going on? Think this is your living room? Keep fighting, and I'll have security throw both of you out!"

It was Senior Director Liam Thorne.

My team lead, Mark, was right behind him.

Chad was still fuming, yelling about calling the cops.

Liam lost his cool. "Enough!"

"The client is waiting in the conference room right now, and you two are making fools of yourselves!"

"Call the cops? You want the whole industry to know how unprofessional we are? The client specifically asked for Brad. If you don't want your jobs, pack your desks and get out now!"

Chad scowled, clearly still furious.

But Liam's authority shut him down.

Mark nudged me hard, giving me a sharp look. "What were you thinking, kid? You know Chad's your acting lead! Why throw a punch?"

He deserved it!

Not putting him in the hospital was me being nice!

Seeing my lack of remorse, Chad looked ready to explode. Mark scolded me,

"But seriously, Brad? You're a grown man! Why can't you control your temper? You threw the first punch!"

I shrugged. "He asked for it."

Even facing the Senior Director, I didn't care. Fire me if you want. Whatever.

Big deal.

"Alright, alright, both of you shut it. The client specifically requested Brad Hamilton for this project." Liam cut me off, emphasizing my name.

I was confused.

What? Why asked for me?

"Let's go. Conference room. Now." Liam glared, his tone pure warning.

I got the feeling that if the client hadn't asked for me, I'd already be fired.

I gathered the project files from Team Two and headed to my desk for the paperwork.

The moment I stepped into the conference room, I froze.

Holy hell! That's why they wanted me!

Sitting at the head of the client's table was my childhood friend, Gwen Moon.

Seeing me, Gwen flashed a mischievous grin and stuck her tongue out.

My eye twitched. She never missed a chance to one-up me, even now.

Our eyes met. I shot her a warning look: Don't you dare.

Being childhood friends, she didn't blow my cover.

After the meeting, I took her out for drinks. Two rounds later, I'd finally appeased the princess and sealed the deal.

Surprisingly, nailing that tough client so fast had Liam beaming at me.

He hinted heavily about a promotion and raise after the contract was signed.

I'd heard Liam's empty promises before so I didn't buy it.

But I never expected not only to miss out on the raise, but also get slapped with some serious crap.

During the project wrap-up, someone reported me.

Called into a meeting room, I found myself facing several department bigwigs. It felt like an interrogation panel.

Chad sat off to the side, smirking like the cat that got the cream.

The manager in charge looked grim. "We've received an internal report accusing you of improper conduct with a client. We need your explanation."

But they didn't wait for me to speak. The conference room screen lit up, displaying a slideshow starring... me.

The other person in the photos was Gwen Moon.

Pictures of her linking arms with me, me dropping her off at a hotel, us laughing together.

And most absurdly, some photos even showed... Gwen and me in bed together.