The Heir’s Three-Year Secret

I picked up a simple-minded girl who could do nothing but giggle and made her my girlfriend. For three years, I fed her, taught her how to dress, and bathed her. But after she recovered, she turned around and married an absurdly powerful heir. When we met again, she looked at me with contempt, a huge diamond ring glittering on her finger. “I always knew you were useless. Good thing I got away while I could.” “My husband is an heir to a powerful family. If you can’t survive on your own, come beg me. I might reward you with a job.” I was stunned. New York’s elite circle was only so big. How had I never seen this so-called young master before? After a night together, I held Lily Carter as I always did. But when I looked down, I met her icy gaze. “Don’t touch me with those filthy hands!” She shoved me away, dressed herself, and left without a trace of hesitation. I was completely confused. What was going on? Lily wasn’t simple-minded anymore. Had she finally regained consciousness? But if she was lucid now, why was she treating me so cruelly? I thought about how strange she had been the day before, and my heart sank. Could her condition have gotten worse? Could she have forgotten who I was? The thought made me rush after her, but I searched until dawn and never found her. Just as I was about to call the police, a bank alert showed that someone had transferred twenty million dollars into my account. I didn’t pay much attention. I assumed my mother had secretly sent me some spending money. But then Lily showed up at my house in a designer evening gown. She didn’t even look at me. With a cold expression, she said, “I’m about to marry one of New York’s most powerful heirs.” “That twenty million is your hush money. It’s also payment for your life. If you dare tell anyone about what happened before, you can forget about keeping your life.” I stared at the stranger in front of me. My lips parted, but no sound came out. She was abandoning me after recovering, all because of some so-called powerful heir? Twenty million as payment for my life? Was that all my life was worth to her? To me, she had always been priceless. No amount of money could ever buy her. The thought made my nose sting for no reason. “Lily, you’re joking, right? Hush money and all that…” Before I could finish, she cut me off. “You’re trying to extort even more from me? Believe me, I can take back the twenty million too!” “After all, your pathetic life isn’t worth even a million!” I stared at her in disbelief. Three years of taking care of her with all my heart had earned me nothing but humiliation after she regained her senses. Twenty million dollars wasn’t even enough to buy one of the cars in my garage. And compared with the powerful heir she had chosen, what did he have that I didn’t? Which young master in New York could possibly be better than me? I clenched my fists and stared into her eyes, trying to see the truth hidden inside them. Lily only snorted coldly and turned to leave. I followed her. I still refused to believe that the girl I had lived with day and night for three years could become so materialistic and ungrateful after waking up. Downstairs, a Ferrari slowly pulled up. A greasy, bald, overweight man stepped out. Lily immediately smiled. So she really had been lying to me! I had never seen this man among New York’s elite. My fists tightened until my knuckles turned white. I hurried forward and pulled Lily away from him. “Lily, did you find this guy and ask him to put on an act with you? He’s not some powerful heir!” “Why are you leaving me? Explain yourself!” Lily shoved me away at once and linked her arm through the bald man’s. “Adrian Hayes, what are you talking about? Brandon is the only son of the Stone family, one of New York’s most powerful families!” The bald man exploded with rage. “Who the hell are you? Stay away from my fiancée!” “You dare grab my fiancée in front of me? Believe me, tomorrow your body will be floating in a sewer!” Lily frowned and said, “He’s just some pathetic loser who chased after me for three years. He probably heard that I’m about to marry you and got jealous.” “Our wedding is about to begin. Don’t let this loser ruin the ceremony. Let’s go.” She linked her arm through his and gave me a warning look before getting into the car. Then they drove away. A pathetic loser? I had taken care of her for three years. Was that all I was to her? She had been simple-minded for three years. Now that she was awake, she had not only forgotten every trace of affection for me, but had also turned around and married a man like that. The thought made my heart grow colder. I wanted to ask her face-to-face whether the feelings we had shared over the past three years had ever been real to her. Just then, a Rolls-Royce with a special license plate slowly stopped behind me. “Young Master! The three-year agreement is over! Your father sent me to bring you and the young madam home!”I had met Lily three years earlier. As the heir to a powerful family, I had come to New York to oversee some of the family’s business. That was when I saw Lily being sabotaged. She fell from a raised platform and hit her head. I saved her, but afterward, she became a simple-minded girl who could do nothing but giggle. She clung to me and insisted that I marry her. I was sick of women who only wanted me for my name and money, so I turned around and married the girl everyone thought was an idiot. After the wedding, I became a proper husband and took care of every part of her daily life. She might have been simple-minded, but she obeyed me in everything. My parents, however, were furious that I had picked up a mentally impaired girl and made her my wife. They made a three-year agreement with me. If I could survive outside the family’s protection and remain married to Lily for three years, they would approve of our marriage. Now that the three years were finally over, Lily had regained consciousness and abandoned me for some powerful heir who had appeared out of nowhere. I wanted to see the look on her face when she discovered that my identity was far more prestigious than that so-called “powerful heir” she kept talking about. It took me less than a minute to find out where they were getting married. I rushed over. Lily had already changed into a spotless wedding dress and was standing on the raised platform with a smile on her face. Brandon narrowed his eyes with delight as he held a ring in his hand. He was just about to slide it onto her finger when I shouted, “Wait!” Under the stunned gazes of everyone present, I walked onto the platform and stood in front of Lily. I was about to speak when Brandon blocked my path. “It’s you, that pathetic loser! I let you off earlier, and you still dared to come ruin my wedding? You must be tired of living!” I shoved him aside and looked at Lily. “Lily…” Before I could finish, Lily stepped forward and slapped me across the face. “You actually came to ruin my wedding with Brandon? Get out of here!” I didn’t dodge. I took the slap head-on, and it felt as if a knife had stabbed straight through my heart. I inhaled deeply and asked her, “Lily, if you tell me you have a reason for doing this, I’ll take you away right now.” I watched her eyes carefully. As long as I saw even the slightest trace of panic, I would take her away immediately. No one in New York could stop me. Unfortunately, there wasn’t even a flicker of hesitation. “Go with you? Can you give me what I want?” “Brandon is the only son of the Stone family. The entire Stone family will belong to him one day. They’re even about to become one of New York’s most prestigious families. What are you compared to him?” “Adrian, if you have any sense, get out of here.” I was completely disappointed in her. On the way there, I had still wondered if Lily had some hidden reason for doing this. That was why I had asked her directly. But it turned out that everything had been wishful thinking on my part. In her eyes, every moment we had shared over three years was worth less than the Stone family’s power. She was no longer the little simpleton who had timidly tugged on my clothes and waited for me to feed her.I clenched both hands as sharp pain stabbed through my heart. “Fine. Since that’s how you feel, I hope you have a happy marriage.” I walked down from the platform in disappointment, never noticing the conflict in her eyes. But Brandon blocked my way, his face burning with rage. “You come whenever you want and leave whenever you want? Do you think the Stone family is a joke?” “You pathetic loser! Don’t you love Lily? Then watch with your own eyes as the woman you love becomes my wife! Otherwise, I’ll kill you!” His threat actually made me laugh. “You’re threatening me? Aren’t you afraid I’ll call the police?” A cold smile appeared on Brandon’s face. He pointed at me arrogantly. “Call the police? Call them today, and tomorrow you’ll be dragged into the Stone family’s estate!” “In New York, the Stone family is the law! Men!” At his command, a large group of men in black suits and sunglasses emerged and surrounded the entire platform. Lily’s eyes filled with anxiety. She hurried to Brandon’s side and said coldly, “Adrian, do you understand now why I chose Brandon instead of a pathetic loser like you? You’re not even worthy of polishing his shoes!” Then she turned to Brandon. “Brandon, get rid of him. Don’t let him ruin our wedding day.” She was insulting me, but I could hear the concern hidden beneath her words. Could it be that she had deliberately provoked me because she wanted me to leave? Brandon’s expression softened slightly. He gave me a cold glance. “Fine. For my wife’s sake, I’ll let you off for now, you little piece of trash.” “But remember this. In front of me, you’ll always be nothing more than a dog.” I clenched my fist and narrowed my eyes. “What if I don’t want to be one?” A cold smile tugged at Brandon’s lips. He swung his hand and slapped me across the face. “In New York, the Stone family decides who lives and who dies. Understand?” The others immediately began laughing and cheering. “Brandon, this idiot actually dared to offend you. Everyone knows the Stone family rules this city!” “I heard Brandon has also gotten close to one of New York’s true power players and officially entered the elite circle! Apparently, that man is even attending the celebration later. What an honor!” Everyone looked at me with mockery in their eyes. “Is that so? Then why have I never heard of this so-called Mr. Stone among New York’s true elite?”The moment I said that, someone burst into laughter. “Hahaha! That’s hilarious! You’re nothing but a useless nobody. How could you possibly know Brandon’s name?” Brandon laughed loudly as well. “You little piece of trash. Today, I’ll let you see the kind of important person you’ll never meet in your entire life!” “After I finish marrying Lily, I’ll deal with you properly!” Seeing that, Lily took a deep breath and shouted, “Adrian! Get off the platform right now! Don’t ruin my wedding ceremony with Brandon!” I glanced at her, then walked down from the platform without expression, one hand covering my cheek. The moment I reached the floor, a group of spoiled rich kids surrounded me. “Enjoy this meal. It’ll be the last one you ever eat.” “Once Brandon is married, your life is over!” They laughed at me without restraint. I didn’t care. They were far beneath me. Hadn’t Lily abandoned me because she wanted to climb into the Stone family? Then I would flatten the Stone family and see what kind of shocked expression appeared on her face. I had just taken out my phone when a young woman walked over. “Come with me.” I ignored her and sent a few messages. She immediately frowned and snorted. “What time is it? You’re still playing with your phone. You’re hopeless.” “If Lily hadn’t asked me to come save you, I wouldn’t even bother talking to you!” I stopped typing and looked up at her in confusion. I was about to speak when a commotion erupted at the entrance. Brandon and the surrounding guests immediately lit up. They rushed over with broad smiles. “Julian! Thanks for honoring me by coming to my wedding!” “Now that Julian is here, the Stone family’s reputation has soared!” A handsome young man with an impressive air sauntered inside. He glanced at Lily. “So this is the bride? Not bad. Brandon, it looks like your business is about to be settled.” Brandon’s eyes filled with excitement, as if he had never expected to receive two blessings on the same day. His face glowed as he loudly introduced the young man to everyone. “Everyone, this is Julian Blake, the only son of New York’s richest man! He’s also my good friend!” The surrounding guests immediately began flattering Julian. Some practically threw themselves at his feet. Even the girl beside me restrained her expression and stood up respectfully. I was the only person who showed no reaction after seeing him. In fact, I crossed one leg over the other and leaned back in my chair.Brandon immediately flew into a rage. “You little piece of trash! Julian is standing, and you dare to sit?” The others laughed. “Don’t be angry, Brandon. This idiot doesn’t even know who you are. Of course he has no idea who Julian is.” Brandon’s face filled with satisfaction, but he still turned to Julian and humbled himself. “What Brandon? There’s only one young master here, and that’s Julian.” Lily walked over with a solemn expression, though I could see the worry in her eyes. “Adrian, get up. Even the Stone family can’t afford to offend Julian.” I was about to ask her about the girl who had approached me earlier, but Brandon came over too and pointed at my nose. “You little piece of trash! Have I been too nice to you?” “You dare act so arrogantly in front of Julian?” I frowned and covered my cheek as I gave him a cold smile. “Arrogant? I think you’re the one being arrogant.” Brandon shook his head, looking almost sorry for me. “I’ve figured you out. You’re completely insane.” “Julian is the only son of the Blake family. He’s a genuine heir to a powerful family! You would never have met him in your entire life if it weren’t for me!” “Get on your knees now, and I might beg for mercy on your behalf for my wife’s sake. Otherwise, I’ll break your legs and dump your body in a sewer!” His eyes were filled with contempt, as if he believed one command from him could decide whether I lived or died. Lily’s eyes filled with longing and helplessness. She leaned close to me and whispered, “You idiot. I told you to leave. Why did you insist on following me?” “They’re monsters who devour people without leaving the bones behind. Adrian, at this point, the only way you can escape is by taking me hostage.” “After that, leave New York. Promise me you’ll never come back.” Brandon saw that I still hadn’t moved and immediately waved his hand. “You won’t cry until you see the coffin! Men, break this idiot’s legs first! Then force him to kneel before Julian and apologize!” A group of bodyguards rushed toward me. Lily panicked and instinctively stepped in front of me. I pushed her aside and looked directly at Julian. “Julian, are you sure you want me to kneel? Are you sure you want them to break my legs?” Only then did Julian turn around. He had been surrounded by people flattering him this entire time. The moment he recognized my face, his expression changed drastically. He staggered and dropped to his knees. “Young Master Hayes? Why are you here?”