Wealth Without Him Rising from Betrayal (Grace Wilson) novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Richard’s POV

ས ཟྭ 51%

Later that night, I returned to my own villa where Laura was waiting. Emma had been put to bed, and Laura had prepared dinner for us.

“You look terrible,” she observed as I picked at my food.

“Rough day.” I didn’t elaborate.

Is it Grace? Has she come home yet?”

I shook my head, still focusing on my plate.

Laura studied me. “You’re worried about her, aren’t you?”

“I’m worried about the company,” I corrected. “We lost three major investors today because she wasn’t available.”

“Hmm. Laura took a sip of wine. “Is that the only reason you’re upset? Nothing to do with her suddenly standing up to you after two years of obedience?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.

“You’re afraid of losing her,” Laura said, watching me closely, trying to confirm something.

Too exhausted to deal with everyone today, I just gave a cold laugh. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

The next day, my alumni chat group erupted with activity. I glanced at it distractedly while waiting for my coffee to brew.

“Holy shit guys. The mysterious Wilson heir has finally surfaced!*

“Wait, are you talking about Robert Wilson’s daughter? I thought that was ust a rumor.”

“Not anymore. Apparently she’s been confirmed as the legitimate daughter and is set to inherit the bulk of the Wilson fortune-we’re talking hundreds of billions here.”

I frowned, suddenly more interested. Robert Wilson had been a legend-the founder of Wilson Holdings, one of the largest conglomerates in Starport. He’d died without an apparent heir, and his wife Elizabeth had been running things alongside their adopted son.

“I heard she was living a completely normal life until recently. Someone managed to get a photo at some charity event.”

A blurry image appeared in the chat. A woman in an elegant dress, her face partially obscured, but something about her was hauntingly familiar.

“Another source has her entering the Wilson estate yesterday. Check this out.”

The next photo showed a woman walking toward the gates of the famous Wilson mansion. Though the image was taken from a distance, I could make out her slender frame, her posture, the way she carried herself… undoubtedly familiar.

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11:55 Mon, Feb 23

Chapter 13

51%

During the meeting where we were still establishing recovery measures for our previous losses, my phone vibrated. I ignored it.

It vibrated again. And again. 1 discreetly checked the screen under the table. Laura’s name flashed repeatedly. I declined the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket.

“As I was saying, our market position remains-

The phone buzzed persistently. This time, a text message appeared: “EMERGENCY. PICK UP NOW.”

My heart rate spiked. Laura never interrupted my meetings unless it was serious.

I signaled for a brief pause in the meeting and stepped into the hallway with my phone.

The moment I answered, I heard sobbing on the other end of the line.

“Laura, what’s wrong?”

“Rich… I can’t… I need…” Her words were slurred, broken by hiccupping sobs.

‘Laura, where are you?”

More incoherent crying, then the call abruptly disconnected.

“The meeting’s over for today, I announced, and immediately headed for the parking lot.

Rain pelted my Bentley as I sped through Starport, repeatedly calling Laura’s number. Each unanswered ring ratcheted up my anxiety.

On the fifth attempt, someone finally answered.

“Laura? What’s happening?”

“Not Laura, Stella Fuller, her friend.”

“Where is she?” I asked urgently.

“She’s passed out drunk at Velvet Lounge. Thanks for asking.” Stella’s tone dripped with contempt.

I gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Put her on the phone.”

‘She can barely stand, let alone talk.” Stella paused, her voice hardening. While you’ve been playing house with that Wilson woman, your actual wife has been falling apart. How long are you planning to keep Laura hidden away like your dirty little secret?”

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11:55 Mon, Feb 23

Wealth Without Him: Rising from Betrayal