Billionaire Pretended to Be Poor to Test His Fiancée – What Happened Next Shocked Everyone!
Chapter 13
Their engagement attracted attention.
The media loved the story.
The billionaire.
The waitress.
The broken engagement.
The fake poverty experiment.
Some people called it romantic.
Others called it ridiculous.
Lily hated both versions.
“Why can’t they just say we’re boring?”
Ethan smiled.
“Because we’re terrible at being boring.”
She was right.
Three months before the wedding, Richard Hale’s trial began.
The evidence against him was overwhelming.
Financial manipulation.
Corporate misconduct.
Conspiracy with outside investors.
Victoria was called as a witness.
Ethan didn’t attend the first day.
He didn’t want revenge.
He wanted closure.
But Lily convinced him to go.
“You should see the ending.”
“I don’t need to.”
“Yes, you do.”
So he went.
Victoria entered the courtroom alone.
When she saw Ethan, she stopped.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she approached him.
“I heard you’re getting married.”
“Yes.”
“To her?”
“Yes.”
Victoria nodded.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
She looked tired.
Different.
Less polished.
“I was angry with you for a long time.”
Ethan nodded.
“I know.”
“But you were right about one thing.”
“What?”
“I was afraid of losing everything.”
Ethan said nothing.
Victoria looked down.
“And I didn’t realize how little I had until it was gone.”
For the first time, Ethan felt genuine sympathy.
“I’m sorry.”
Victoria looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because whatever happened, I hope you find a life you actually want.”
She smiled sadly.
Then walked away.
The trial ended.
Richard was convicted.
The company recovered.
Ethan returned to work with a different perspective.
He delegated more.
Spent less time chasing headlines.
And every Friday, no matter how busy he was, he met Lily for dinner.
Sometimes in Manhattan.
Sometimes in Queens.
Sometimes at Maggie’s.
One Friday, Lily asked:
“Do you miss being anonymous?”
Ethan thought about it.
“Sometimes.”
“And?”
“I like being known by the right person.”
Lily smiled.
That was enough.
