Chapter 4: The Hidden Billionaire

York Corporation stood proudly in the heart of Wiltspoon.

Its seventy-story headquarters dominated the city's skyline.

Inside the executive office on the top floor, silence filled the spacious room.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire city.

Zachary York sat behind his desk, reviewing a stack of contracts.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," he said.

Ben entered carrying a thick file.

"Mr. York, this is the background report you requested."

He placed the file on the desk.

"Everything about Mrs. York has been verified."

Zachary closed the contract he had been reading.

"Go on."

"Serenity Hunt is twenty-four years old."

"She graduated with honors in Business Administration from Wiltspoon University."

"She co-owns a bookstore near the university entrance with her best friend, Jasmine Sox."

"She also sells handmade knitted crafts online."

"Her monthly income averages around $20,000."

Zachary raised an eyebrow slightly.

"More than I expected."

"Yes, sir."

"She has no debts."

"No criminal record."

"Excellent credit history."

"She's known for helping people whenever she can."

"Including supporting her older sister financially every month."

Ben paused before adding,

"She secretly gives her sister $5,000 every month but asks her to tell her husband it's only $2,000 to avoid family conflict."

Zachary remained silent.

He remembered Serenity waking up early to prepare breakfast.

The apartment had already begun to feel different after only one day.

"Anything suspicious?"

"Nothing at all."

"If anything... she's unusually kind."

Zachary nodded slowly.

"Good."

"Continue monitoring discreetly."

"Make sure no one discovers our marriage."

"Especially the media."

"Understood."

After Ben left, another call came through the private office phone.

The screen displayed one familiar name.

Grandma May.

Zachary answered immediately.

"Nana."

"How's my granddaughter?" Grandma May asked excitedly.

"She's fine."

"Did she cook for you?"

Zachary looked toward the lunch box sitting beside his desk.

"Yes."

"I knew she would!" Grandma May laughed proudly.

"She's such a wonderful girl."

"Don't you dare bully her."

"I won't."

"And remember," Grandma May continued in a serious tone,

"You're not allowed to tell Serenity who you really are."

"Not yet."

"Nana..."

"No arguments."

"I want someone to love my grandson for who he is—not because he's the richest man in Wiltspoon."

"If Serenity learns you're the billionaire CEO now, she'll never know whether your relationship is genuine."

Zachary leaned back in his chair.

"You planned all of this, didn't you?"

"Of course I did."

"You're thirty years old."

"If I hadn't stepped in, you'd still be living alone with nothing but work for company."

Despite himself, Zachary smiled faintly.

"You're impossible."

"And you're welcome," Grandma May replied before hanging up.

At the bookstore, Serenity was organizing newly arrived novels.

"You seem happy today," Jasmine observed.

"Do I?"

"Definitely."

"Marriage suits you already."

Serenity laughed.

"It's only been one day."

"Besides, Zachary is very quiet."

"Sometimes I wonder what he's thinking."

"Maybe he's secretly rich," Jasmine joked.

Serenity burst into laughter.

"If he were rich, he wouldn't be driving that old MPV."

"True."

"Still, he's handsome enough to be a CEO."

"Handsome doesn't pay the bills," Serenity replied with a grin.

"Kindness does."

Several miles away, inside York Corporation's executive conference room, twelve senior executives sat nervously around a long table.

No one dared speak.

The atmosphere was tense.

Zachary entered precisely on time.

Every executive immediately stood.

"Good afternoon, President York."

He gave a slight nod.

"Let's begin."

The meeting lasted nearly three hours.

Every decision Zachary made saved the company millions of dollars.

His sharp business instincts left everyone impressed.

When the meeting finally ended, one executive cautiously approached Ben.

"President York seems... different today."

"Different?" Ben asked.

"He smiled."

"Twice."

Ben blinked.

"Really?"

"I've worked here for eight years."

"I've never seen him smile during a meeting before."

Ben couldn't help smiling himself.

"Maybe marriage really changes a man."

That evening, Zachary left the office carrying the lunch box Serenity had packed.

It was completely empty.

For the first time in years...

He found himself looking forward to going home.