The Billionaire's Hidden Heir のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 41 - チャプター 50

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Ethan’s penthouse, spilling soft light across the marble floor. The world outside buzzed with weekday rush, but inside, it was oddly peaceful.For the first time in years, Ethan Blake wasn’t rushing to a meeting, buried in numbers, or glued to a screen. His assistant had practically fainted when he’d said, “Cancel everything today.”He didn’t know what came over him—maybe it was the small pair of shoes by the couch, the laughter still echoing from yesterday, or the quiet way Maya had thanked him before tucking their son into bed.He wanted one day. Just one day where he could forget he was CEO of Blake Enterprises and simply be Ethan—a man trying to understand the little boy who had his eyes.In the kitchen, Maya stood by the counter, tying her hair into a loose bun. She was already dressed in a soft sweatshirt and jeans, the kind of casual comfort Ethan rarely saw her in.When he entered, she startled slightly. “You’re up early,” s

By morning, the city was burning—not in flames, but in words.News alerts, gossip blogs, and entertainment channels all carried the same explosive headline:> “Ethan Blake’s Hidden Family? Billionaire Caught with Mystery Woman and Child.”Images of the charity gala flooded every screen—Ethan and Maya mid-dance, his hand resting on her waist, their gazes locked in something far too intimate to deny.And then, in the background, that one image—a little boy holding a stuffed lion—blurry but undeniable.The world didn’t need confirmation. The story had already written itself.Inside Blake Enterprises, chaos ruled.Assistants rushed through hallways clutching phones, the PR team was barricaded in the conference room, and Ethan’s name trended on every social media platform within hours.“Sir, we’re being flooded with interview requests,” his assistant, Clara, said nervously. “CNN, Forbes, StarWatch, even The Global Times.”“Decline all of them,” Ethan said, his voice low but sharp.Clara he

The city looked softer that night.Rain had rinsed the streets clean, and the glow from the skyscrapers reflected on the wet pavement like shards of silver glass.Maya stood on the balcony of Ethan’s penthouse, wrapped in one of his jackets. The air smelled faintly of his cologne—cedar and something darker.She hadn’t meant to stay this long. After the chaos of his live interview and the threat that followed, she’d only come here to talk about safety—about their son.But now it was nearly midnight.And somehow, the conversation had turned into something else entirely.Inside, Ethan poured two glasses of wine, his movements slower than usual. The past few days had been relentless—meetings, damage control, calls from lawyers—but none of it mattered now. Not compared to this quiet moment.He walked out to the balcony and handed her the glass.“Thanks,” she said softly, her fingers brushing his as she took it.Even that brief contact sent a pulse through him. He didn’t move away.“You sho

The boardroom felt like a courtroom that morning. The long, polished oak table reflected the grim faces of men and women who had once admired Ethan Reed—now, they looked ready to devour him. The tension was so thick that even the faint hum of the air conditioning sounded accusing.Ethan sat at the head of the table, posture rigid, jaw set. His tailored suit didn’t hide the exhaustion in his eyes. He had been fighting fires on every front—the media frenzy, the shareholders’ panic, and Maya’s growing distance. But this... this was the storm he couldn’t afford to lose.“Mr. Reed,” began Harold Clarkson, one of the senior board members, his tone cool and precise. “We need to discuss the recent... developments.”Ethan didn’t blink. “By developments, you mean the articles. The ones painting me as a reckless CEO with a secret family?”Clarkson gave a thin smile. “You said it, not me.”A murmur rippled around the table. Some of the members shifted uncomfortably, while others leaned forward, e

The departure hall buzzed with the steady hum of travelers, flight announcements echoing overhead. Maya stood in the long queue for check-in, her suitcase beside her, her fingers twisting around the strap of her purse.Her eyes were swollen from crying all night. The note. The photo. The message. Everything pointed to one thing—someone was watching her. And now that she had resigned, there was no reason to stay in New York, no reason to remain in Ethan’s world of chaos and cameras.Liam’s safety came first. Always.Her flight to Chicago was boarding in less than an hour. She’d stay with her cousin there, away from the spotlight, away from Ethan Reed.Or at least, that’s what she told herself.Because deep down, she knew she wasn’t running from danger. She was running from him. From the way he made her feel seen. From the part of her that still wanted to believe he’d fight for her this time.“Flight 326 to Chicago, boarding begins in forty-five minutes,” the intercom announced.She exh