Wife's Vanishing Act

Last month, I got off work like usual.

I found several Bentleys parked outside my rental apartment.

I ignored them and headed upstairs, only to find a group of intimidating men in black standing at my door.

"Who are you looking for?" I asked warily, eyeing them with suspicion.

The next second, they stepped aside and lined up in two neat rows, creating a clear path down the middle.

From that path, two elderly figures slowly emerged, their backs slightly hunched.

Our eyes met, and I saw tears brimming in both of theirs.

"You… are you Nick Austin?"

I nodded, still dazed. For some reason, they felt strangely familiar.

Suddenly, the old woman rushed forward, throwing her arms around me as she wept. "Nick, my son… I'm your mother! I've searched for you for twenty-seven years! I finally found you!"

In that instant, my entire body froze. My mind went blank.

I had grown up in an orphanage.

I'd endured endless judgment and prejudice for as long as I could remember.

I thought I'd never get the chance to meet my real parents again in this lifetime.

But now… they'd found me?

A wave of heat stung my eyes, and I couldn't stop the tears from falling.

After they came inside, we talked the whole day.

That's when I learned they weren't just living in Notingdun, they were the wealthiest family in the entire city.

And I… I was the heir they had lost.

As fate would have it, after I disappeared, they adopted another boy.

That boy was none other than Hilary's first love, Ross.

......

When Hilary saw the reunion unfold, her face turned visibly sour.

Clinging to Lily, she followed us quietly, not uttering a single word the entire way.

It wasn't until dinner that Olivia called me to the table.

And for the first time, I got a proper look at Ross.

The moment he saw me, his brows furrowed sharply. It was obvious he didn't welcome me.

Olivia held my hand with a bright smile, turned to Ross, and said, "Ross, as soon as your father and I got word last month, we brought your brother home immediately."

Ross narrowed his eyes slightly, forcing a smile. "Mom, I'm so glad you found him. After all these years, I thought he was gone for good."

Hilary suddenly chimed in with a laugh. "Yes, Mom, what a blessing. But why didn't you tell us about it sooner? Ross's feelings must've been really hurt."

George Peyton let out a cold snort. "I need your permission to find my own son? Besides, today's just an introduction."

The air turned icy.

That was when I realized that George and the adopted son's family probably weren't all that close.

In the end, only my parents and I truly enjoyed the meal.

After dinner, George set down his fork and abruptly turned to Ross with a cold gaze.

"By the way, I've promoted your assistant, Luke, and transferred him to a branch office. Starting tomorrow, Nick will join you at the company."

"What? No way!"

Before Ross could respond, Hilary cut in.

Her outburst made everyone's face darken.

Sensing the tension, she clenched her sleeves tightly and bit her lip.

"I-I just mean… Nick just came back, and he hasn't worked before. Isn't it too soon to make him the CEO's assistant?"

Her words were out of line. George's expression soured.

I smiled at her and said, "Wow, Hilary, you seem to know me quite well. Why are you so sure I can't handle it?"

Her face instantly turned pale, and sweat beaded on her forehead.

Ross gave her a quick look, then turned toward me and George. "Dad, Hilary's only thinking about the company. She didn't mean anything else."

George gave a cold laugh. "She better not have. Don't forget, I'm still alive. She’s not in a position to say that."

She flinched.

Perhaps to change the subject, Ross suddenly shifted his gaze to my hand. He smiled and said, "Nick, you're wearing a ring? So… you're married?"