Billionaire Pretended to Be Poor to Test His Fiancée – What Happened Next Shocked Everyone!
Chapter 9
The next morning, Ethan woke to hundreds of messages.
The headline was everywhere.
BILLIONAIRE CEO SECRETLY LIVING AS A POOR MAN WHILE FIANCÉE PLANS LUXURY WEDDING
Photographs of Ethan in Queens appeared online.
Pictures of him entering Maggie’s.
Leaving the hospital with Lily.
Victoria immediately released a statement.
She claimed Ethan had deceived her.
Humiliated her.
Emotionally manipulated her.
For a few hours, public opinion turned against him.
Then Marcus released evidence.
Not everything.
Only enough.
The suspicious contract.
Victoria’s conversations.
The business connections to Richard Hale.
The timeline.
Everything changed.
Reporters began asking questions.
Victoria disappeared from public view.
Richard resigned before the board could remove him.
But the biggest shock came three days later.
The board announced an emergency meeting.
Ethan would appear publicly for the first time since his supposed financial collapse.
Lily watched the news from Maggie’s.
She hadn’t spoken to Ethan since the scandal began.
Not because she was angry.
Because she was afraid.
The story had already changed her life.
Customers recognized her.
Reporters called the diner.
Her manager had to hire security.
That evening, Ethan arrived after closing.
Lily saw him through the glass.
She opened the door.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“I know.”
“They’re following you.”
“I know.”
“They’re following me because of you.”
Ethan looked down.
“I know.”
Lily crossed her arms.
“Then why are you here?”
He looked at her.
“To say I’m sorry.”
Her expression changed.
“That’s it?”
“No.”
He took a breath.
“I also wanted to ask you something.”
“What?”
“Do you want me to leave you alone?”
Lily stared.
He continued.
“Because if that’s what you want, I will.”
For the first time, Ethan wasn’t trying to control the outcome.
He wasn’t testing her.
He wasn’t hiding.
He was simply asking.
Lily looked at him for a long moment.
Then said:
“No.”
Ethan’s breath caught.
“But I don’t know what happens next.”
“Neither do I.”
“Your life is complicated.”
“Yes.”
“You’re constantly surrounded by people.”
“Unfortunately.”
“And apparently, you enjoy pretending to be broke.”
He smiled.
“Retired from that.”
Lily laughed.
Then she stepped closer.
“What are you going to do tomorrow?”
“The board meeting.”
“And Victoria?”
“Whatever happens, happens.”
Lily shook her head.
“No.”
Ethan frowned.
“What?”
She pointed toward him.
“You spent your entire life worrying about whether people loved your money.”
He said nothing.
“But tomorrow, don’t make everything about revenge.”
Ethan looked at her.
“What should I make it about?”
“Who you want to be after this.”
The words stayed with him.
The next morning, Ethan walked into the boardroom.
Every major executive was there.
So were lawyers.
Investigators.
Members of the media waited outside.
Victoria wasn’t supposed to be there.
But she arrived anyway.
And what happened next shocked everyone.
