Gold Behind the Curtain

The room went silent at the mention of Rowena. She was a big deal, the top investor on the planet. Anything she touched turned to gold. Her wealth was legendary, making even the richest tycoon look like small fry.

The buzz was that Rowena would be there, and everyone there was tripping over themselves for a chance to impress her.

My little guy wrapped his arms around my neck, his voice soft and defiant as he said, "He's my dad. My dad. And you're the meanie."

Henry was not buying it. He lunged forward, trying to take my son. 'If I can buddy up with Rowena, the sky will be the limit,' he thought.

He was so blinded by greed that his face twisted with it. "Hand him over, Jayden. If you're pulling a kidnapping stunt, you won't see a dime, and you'll be behind bars before you know it!"

The crowd started to close in, reaching for my son. He burst into tears, and I held him closer, ready to bolt from that mess. "He's my son. Back off. We're out of here."

However, Henry was in our face, his voice sharp as he said, "Your son? What? Is Rowena your wife? Take a look in the mirror!

"If you want to spin a tale, at least make it a good one. You think I won't call the cops on you?"

I was not scared of his threats. "Go ahead, call them."

"Rowena is my wife. Go on, call the cops. I'll wait right here to see who they'll arrest."

The moment I said that, everyone looked at me like I had lost my mind.

"Your dad's a billionaire, and Rowena's your wife? Jayden, you've lost it!

"Just you wait. I'm calling the cops now. Let's hear what you'll say then."

Henry whipped out his phone, ready to dial the number.

However, Clara stepped in, snatching the phone from his hand, her gaze filled with mixed emotions as she addressed me.

"Let's not, Jayden. We've had our time, and I don't want to go overboard.

"Get out of here before things get worse. I'll give you money. How much do you want?"

Clara thought I was after her cash.

When my dad was at the top of the list of the wealthy, I kept my real identity under wraps to enjoy a quiet life at school.

Once I realized Clara was only faking being poor, I did not give her a second thought.

Her family's flashy new money could not hold a candle to ours, yet she hid who she was, scared I was after her dough.

It was downright ridiculous.

Henry, green with envy over Clara's defense of me, could not help but throw in a jab.

"Yeah, Clara, give him some cash. He ditched you for money in the first place and ran off with some rich foreigner the moment he had the chance.

"He must've been dumped and didn't even get the payout. You're the only one still hung up on old feelings, not turning your back on him."

Clara's grip on the phone turned to stone.

The subtext of Henry's words was crystal clear: anyone who gave me money was only a big, easy mark.

I never saw it coming. After I left the country, wild rumors had started swirling.

However, the rumors never fazed me. I had the real deal: confidence and a love that stood solid as a rock.

Right there, in front of everyone, I laid bare Henry's dirty laundry.

"Henry, you thought you were slick, huh? Living it up with foreigners on their dime while stringing Clara along with your hot-and-cold games. You didn't think anyone would catch on, did you?

"However, I've got to hand it to you. You've got a real knack for fooling women. Clara's been wrapped around your finger for years."

Henry's face flushed with panic as he rushed to deny it. "What are you even saying? That's not true. Clara's the only one I care about.

"Don't even try to mess with us. Clara's already seen through your lies!"

Clara jumped to his defense.

"Jayden, stop it. I won't let you talk about Henry that way. He's not like you. He loves me for who I am.

"He didn't even know who I was when he agreed to take out a loan for $800,000 for me."

I could not help but laugh.

"Oh, Clara, you're so gullible. Henry knew exactly who you were from the start. He was playing you all along.

"Why don't you check out his list of exes? Every single one of them comes from money. You think you're the exception? That's just naive!"