I'm the Billionaire Heir You've Been Begging to Meet

Married for ten years, I held my wife and son in the palm of my hand. Until one afternoon, while watering the roses in the garden, I looked up.

Through the glass balcony opposite ours, I saw my wife pressed against the window. She was in a highly suggestive position, being "watered" by another man.

That night, Vivian didn't show a single shred of remorse. Instead, she tossed a set of divorce papers right in my face. "Ethan, let's get a divorce.

Julian Vance is the sole heir to the Vance empire. You can't even begin to compare to him." "And by the way, Leo isn't your son.

He's Julian's." My nineyearold son, Leo, smirked at me. "A loser like you doesn't deserve to be my dad.

I want Julian to be my dad!" My motherinlaw, Helen, crossed her arms. "Just sign it, Ethan. Don't stand in the way of their family reunion." I didn't argue with them.

I silently signed my name on the papers. But they seemed to have forgotten one tiny detail. My last name is also Vance. For all these years, I had hidden my true identity.

But now, it was time to lay my cards on the table. I pulled out my phone and called my father in New York. "Send the jet.

I'm ready to come home and take over the family business." When Vivian told me that Leo wasn't my biological son, my reaction was much calmer than she expected.

Honestly, I had suspected it for a long time. He was born two months premature, and as he grew older, he looked absolutely nothing like me.

Some of my friends had jokingly suggested I get a DNA test, but I chose to trust my wife. Three months ago, Julian Vance moved into the mansion across the street.

The first time I saw him, I felt an eerie sense of familiarity. Leo's eyes were the exact replica of his.

And Vivian's hospitality toward this new neighbor had been borderline obsessive.

Seeing me stare down in silence, Vivian clenched her jaw and spoke again. "Ethan, to be honest, I still care about you.

If you don't want to lose me completely, we can do a fake divorce first.

Once Leo officially gets his hands on the Vance family inheritance, I can always come back to you." I let out a bitter, helpless laugh.

Even knowing that the boy I had raised for nine years wasn't mine, and that he was about to call another man "Dad," my heart still ached with a chaotic, crushing pain. "Would you really come back?" "Of course!

I'm your wife, aren't I?

Once Leo is officially named the Vance heir, we'll get remarried!" Vivian leaned in, trying to plant a kiss on my lips, but I casually turned my head, letting her miss. "Fine.

I agree to the divorce." Hearing this, Vivian's face lit up with pure joy. "Ethan, thank you for being so understanding! Leo will be so happy to have such an openminded dad.

Don't worry, Leo will still think of you as a father figure in the future!" My mind was a chaotic mess. I didn't want to hear another word of her lies.

I asked her what she wanted for dinner and turned toward the kitchen.

During my ten years as a house husband in the Hayes family, my culinary skills had been perfected solely to please her and Leo. "Eat by yourself tonight.

I have to go over and tell Julian the good news." Hearing her excited, retreating footsteps, my heart sank deeper into the abyss.

However, the front door clicked open, then hesitated. "You... you don't mind, do you?" Vivian peeked back from behind the door, her voice carrying a rare, belated hint of caution.

I forced a smile. "Not anymore." Vivian beamed, turning and running next door. The side window of our house directly faced the front yard of the neighboring villa.

I watched Vivian run like a happy little bird, throwing herself into Julian's arms. Julian spun her around in the air.

She was giggling, and he was laughing—she looked so alive, so full of vibrant energy.

In all our years of marriage, no matter how hard I tried or how much I did to make her happy, I had never seen her laugh with such pure, unbridled joy.

Ten years of my devotion couldn't melt her heart of stone. Yet the moment the scumbag who abandoned her and her child returned, she threw her entire soul at his feet.

Since that was the case, there was nothing left for me to hold onto.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Jim's number. "Tell my father that I agree to return and take my place as the head of the family." Right then, a loud bang echoed behind me as the front door was kicked open.

Leo stood at the doorway, glaring at me with pure rage. "Hey, loser! Why didn't you pick me up from school today?

Did you want me to walk home and break my legs?!" Even though I had raised Leo as my own for nine years, I knew he looked down on me from the bottom of his heart.

To him, I was just a freeloading house husband. But even though he was usually spoiled and arrogant, he had never been this outright disrespectful.

I froze for a second, then knelt down to his level. "Leo, your mom and I were talking about something important and I lost track of time.

Next time, I promise I'll be there early—" "No need!" Leo tossed his head back, giving me a cold, mocking glare. "Julian's personal bodyguards already picked me up.

Julian's car is huge, beautiful, and it's a convertible! From now on, don't ever show your embarrassing face at my school again.

I want a powerful man like Julian to be my dad!" With that, he threw his backpack on the floor and bolted toward the neighboring villa. "Leo!" My heart was numb with pain, but a shred of sanity kept me alert.

I suspected that Julian and Vivian were probably in the middle of something highly inappropriate right now.

If Leo ran over there, wouldn't he walk right into it? "Your mom and Julian are busy talking about business.

It's not a good time to go over there right now." "Mind your own business!" Leo lashed out, his sharp nails scratching right across my face. "Get away from me!

From now on, my family has nothing to do with you, you pathetic loser!" Stunned, I watched the boy run out the door.

I wiped the thin line of blood from my cheek with the back of my hand and walked up to the guest bedroom at the end of the secondfloor hallway.

The window of this room directly faced Julian's master bedroom across the lawn. Out of sheer basic human decency, I wanted to give them a warning that the kid was heading over.

Even if they were like dogs in heat, they could at least lock the damn door!

But through the sheer curtains opposite mine, two entangled shadows were already moving in a frantic, passionate rhythm.

My heart went entirely numb, and a wave of nausea hit my stomach. This was Vivian's socalled "fake divorce"? Her socalled "just trying to secure a future for our son"?

Her socalled "I still care about you"? Through the slightly open window, their breathless whispers drifted across the yard and straight into my ears.

I heard Julian ask in a smug, mocking tone, "So, you let Ethan raise my son for nine whole years.

How many times did you actually sleep with him?" Vivian let out a spoiled, giggling gasp. "Oh, stop it! It was only that one time on our wedding night.

Otherwise, how else would he believe Leo was his? I had to make it look real." "Only once? Really?" Julian sounded skeptical. Vivian swore instantly. "I swear, only once.

Just looking at Ethan makes me sick. How could I ever let a loser like him touch me?" Sick? She actually said I made her sick.

She was the one who used to whisper that she loved me, that she loved the gentleness I showed her in bed, and that she would love me forever.

Which word out of this woman's mouth had ever been real?

Just as I was about to make some noise to alert them that Leo was coming, Vivian spoke again, her voice breathless. "But still... once you become the official Vance heir, you should give Ethan some financial compensation.

After all, he did raise your son for nine years." Julian snorted. "You seem pretty concerned about him.

Sure you haven't caught feelings for that house husband?" Before Vivian could reply, Leo's voice echoed from downstairs, calling for his mom.

The two of them scrambled, rustling to put their clothes back on. At least they had a shred of shame left in front of the kid.

I turned to leave, but my elbow accidentally brushed against a flowerpot on the guest room windowsill. Clack. "Who's there?!" Julian shouted from across the yard. I didn't answer.

I quickly made my way downstairs.

When Vivian brought Leo back, she couldn't even wait to step through the door before bursting with the "good news." "The Vance family is sending a representative to pick up the heir in seven days.

Ethan, pack Leo's bags." I sat quietly on the sofa. I didn't look up as I said, "Perfect. Since you're ready, sign these." The joy on Vivian's face faltered slightly.

Her eyes landed on the divorce papers I had laid out on the coffee table.

She froze, a flicker of disbelief passing through her eyes. "You... you already had them ready?" I nodded, my voice completely flat. "Didn't you say they're coming in seven days?

It's better to be prepared early." A look of guilt flashed across Vivian's face. "Ethan, there's no need to rush.

As long as Julian's family officially recognizes Leo..." I waved my hand, cutting her off. "If Leo is going back to claim his inheritance, he has to be recognized as a legitimate Vance child.

If you don't marry Julian quickly, people will gossip. It won't look good for Leo." "Mom!

He's right!" Leo ran in, holding a brandnew, expensive remotecontrolled racing car—obviously a gift from Julian.

He tilted his chin up, looking at me with absolute disdain. "Hey, Ethan!

If you know what's good for you, sign the papers and let us go!" Vivian frowned slightly and scolded him, "Leo, don't be rude.

Even if Mom takes you to the Vance family, Ethan will always be your dad.

You'll just have two dads in the future..." "I don't want him!" Leo spun around and spat on the floor right in front of me. "Who would want such an embarrassing dad?

You have no money, no power, and you do nothing but cook and clean all day! My real dad is Julian!

He's a billionaire, a real elite heir!" With a mocking grimace, he ran off to his room.

On his way out, he kicked his old toy car—the one I had bought him—smashing it to pieces. "I don't need this cheap garbage anymore!" Now that he had a shiny new toy, why would he care about the one I bought him?

But the spoiled brat had no idea.

The limitededition model car I had gifted him was actually worth more than the actual sports car Julian had driven to pick him up from school today. "Ethan." Vivian looked at me, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Don't... don't take it to heart.

Julian hasn't seen the boy in years, so he's naturally spoiling him a bit too much. Leo is still a child. He's just easily swayed by shiny things. I'm sure...

I'm sure he'll appreciate you again in the future." "I know. I won't hold a grudge against a child." I pushed the divorce agreement closer to her, urging her to sign.

But Vivian hesitated.

She picked up the pen, stared at the papers for a few seconds, and then threw them back onto the table in frustration. "I'll look over them later," she muttered before heading upstairs.

I stared at the empty living room, a bitter taste in my mouth. Things had already reached this point. Why was she still hesitating to cut ties? ... Three days later was my birthday.

Vivian had promised to spend it with me. But the moment I finished cooking a full table of food, her phone rang.

She claimed there was an urgent crisis at her office. "I'm so sorry, Ethan. I really have to handle this. I promise I'll make it up to you when I get back tonight.

We'll celebrate then." I simply nodded. I boiled a simple bowl of pasta for myself. "It's fine. It's just a regular birthday anyway.

Go do what you have to do." Vivian smiled, leaning in to kiss my cheek, but I pulled away. "I have garlic butter all over my face," I said quietly.

She giggled. "You and your simple pasta. It's your birthday, Ethan. Why didn't you order something nice?" She forgot.

She completely forgot that this simple pasta was the exact meal she had made for me on the day we first met. A dull, throbbing pain bloomed in my chest.

As I sat alone eating my cold pasta, the doorbell rang. It was Julian. "I'm here to pick up Leo.

He said he wanted me to drive him to his afterschool sports program in my new convertible today." "Thanks for the trouble, Julian." I didn't even look up.

I just called up the stairs for Leo. "Oh, it's no trouble at all, Ethan. You've taken care of my son for so many years.

You're the one who deserves the thanks." Julian's smug, patronizing face made me want to throw up. "Julian!" Leo squealed with excitement, running down the stairs and throwing his arms around Julian's neck. "Leo, make sure you behave on the way—" "Shut up!

Julian is my real dad. I don't need a loser telling me what to do!" Leo sneered, glaring at me from Julian's shoulder.

Just then, my parentinlaws, Richard and Helen, walked out of their room dressed in formal evening wear.

Helen gave Leo a mild, halfhearted scolding. "Leo, don't talk to Ethan like that." Then, Helen turned to me with a sigh. "Ethan, we know it's your birthday today.

I actually ordered a cake for you, but Richard and I have a very important business gala at the Grand Plaza Hotel tonight.

You'll have to eat by yourself." A tiny spark of warmth flared in my heart. For all these years, I had done everything to take care of Vivian and Leo.

In return, Richard and Helen had generally treated me with some level of respect.

It seemed my silent support of the Hayes family—covertly pulling strings to elevate them into the high society of this city—hadn't been entirely in vain.

For instance, the exclusive VIP banquet hall they booked at the Grand Plaza Hotel tonight—if I hadn't personally called Jim to arrange it, they wouldn't have even made the waiting list.

After Richard and Helen left, I called Jim. "Jim, my inlaws are heading to the Grand Plaza tonight. Make sure they are well taken care of." "Of course, Ethan.

But... are you not joining them? I see your wife and young Leo are already here. Along with...

Marcus Vance's grandson, Julian." In an instant, it felt as though icecold water had been poured down my spine.

I stood outside the grand double doors of the private VIP suite, my fists clenched tightly. Through the gap in the doors, their laughter drifted out.

Richard's voice: "Why are you still calling us Mr. and Mrs. Hayes? We'll be family soon. Call me Richard, or Dad if you like." Helen chimed in: "Exactly!

Don't be a stranger, Julian. I knew ten years ago that you were the perfect match for our Vivian." Leo squealed: "Yeah, call them Grandpa and Grandma! We're finally a real family!

I finally have a real billionaire dad!" Julian laughed warmly. "Of course, Richard, Helen.

And my beautiful boy." I heard a soft gasp as Julian kissed Vivian right in front of them, calling her "my wife." Vivian's giggles followed, her voice dripping with affection.

Standing in the cold hallway, my heart completely shattered. So, tonight wasn't a business gala.

It was their private "family reunion." And here I was, foolishly thinking that at least Richard and Helen respected me. It was all a lie. The marriage was a lie. The wife was a lie.

Even the son was a lie. The only thing real was the ten years of genuine love and devotion I had wasted on them.

A waiter walked up with a tray of champagne. "Excuse me, sir, are you with this party?" The doors swung open wider, and the family inside turned their heads.

Their laughter died instantly when they saw me standing there. Vivian gasped, jumping up from her seat. "Ethan?

What... what are you doing here?" I stood there, completely calm, my eyes slowly sweeping across every single face in the room.

I looked at Vivian. "I thought you were buried in work at the office?" I looked at Leo. "I thought you had an afterschool program?" I looked at Richard and Helen. "And I thought you had a vital business gala?" The silence in the room was deafening.

The awkwardness was so thick it was suffocating.

Finally, the masks completely slipped off. "Are you stalking me?!" Vivian hissed, her face contorting with rage. "Ethan, you are a literal psycho!" Julian, playing the bigger man, smirked and raised his hands. "Oh, come on, Ethan.

If you wanted to join us so badly, you could have just asked. Why make a scene and make everyone uncomfortable?

Here, let the waiter grab another fork for you!" "I don't want him here!" Leo screamed, pointing at me. "He's useless and he always ruins the mood!

We obviously didn't invite you because nobody wants you here! Why are you so obsessed with us? I don't have a loser dad like you.

Only a billionaire heir is worthy of being my father!" I stared at them, and suddenly, I laughed.

I laughed so hard tears began to prick the corners of my eyes. "What are you laughing at?!" Vivian demanded, her voice rising in embarrassment. "I'm laughing because this is genuinely hilarious." I wiped the tears from my eyes, pointing a finger at Leo. "You want to take this boy back to the Vance family?

You might want to make sure he's actually accepted first." Helen waved her hand dismissively. "None of your business!

If Vivian hadn't gotten pregnant back then, you think we would have ever let a nobody like you marry into our family? The Vance family is coming to pick Julian up in a week.

After that, you are nothing to us.

Don't even think about clinging to my daughter and grandson!" I nodded slowly. "Understood." I turned on my heel and walked away without another word.

Vivian tried to grab my arm, but I brushed past her, ignoring her completely. She called out my name, but I didn't care to listen anymore.

Jim, who had been watching from the end of the hall, quickly caught up with me. "Master Ethan, should I cancel their reservation and charge them full price?" I paused for a moment. "No.

Let them have it. Consider this their last supper.

After today, they pay for everything themselves." When Vivian came home later that night, she was surprised to find my suitcases packed and waiting by the door. "Ethan, where are you going?" She grabbed my hand, trying to pull me back. "I didn't tell you to leave!

Just wait for me here.

In three days, once the Vance family takes Julian and Leo back to the estate, and I get my son settled, I'll come back to you—" "Will you really come back?" I asked her for the second time.

I looked deep into her eyes. Once, I had seen a sweet, innocent girl in those eyes—a girl I had sworn to protect with my life.

But now, those eyes were buried under layers of greed and deceit. Vivian hesitated, then scrambled to explain. "Of course I will! Are you seriously still angry about the restaurant?

Ethan, I admit I shouldn't have lied to you. But Julian promised that once he takes over the Vance empire, he'll invest a hundred million dollars into my dad's new project.

That's why my parents insisted on hosting that dinner." "I only kept it from you because I didn't want you to feel bad." She looked at me with puppydog eyes, pulling a "special gift" out of her purse.

It was a designer tie. But she had been so rushed she hadn't even noticed the "complimentary gift with purchase" tag still attached to it.

It was the exact same brand as the highend, custommade tie I had seen on Julian's neck at the restaurant tonight. I knew then that I should never have expected anything from her.

The morning of the third day arrived. A sleek, private helicopter bearing the gold Vance family crest landed on the manicured lawn outside the Hayes villa.

Vivian held my hand, her eyes filled with a complex swirl of emotions. "Ethan, wait for me at home.

Once everything is settled, I'll be back." "Will you really come back?" I asked her for the third and final time. Vivian parted her lips, but for a long moment, no sound came out.

Finally, she whispered, "Of course." Under the watchful eyes of the neighborhood, Julian walked out.

He looked at Richard and Helen with a patronizing grin. "I am so sorry about this. My family's head butlers can be so careless sometimes.

Why on earth did they land the chopper right in front of your house?" He waved his hands toward Jim and Charles, who were standing by the helipad, shouting, "Hey!

My villa is over there! You landed at the wrong house!" Richard laughed obsequiously. "Oh, it's no trouble at all, Julian! We're all family here.

But... excuse me, butlers, why do the two of you look so familiar?" Julian scoffed. "Richard, these two are my grandfather's personal, toptier head butlers.

Even I have only heard of their legends and never met them in person.

How could you possibly recognize them?" In the next second, the two legendary butlers stepped forward in perfect unison.

They bypassed Julian entirely, walked straight up to me, and bowed deeply. "Welcome home, Ethan."