James took his daughter out for a father-daughter bonding moment as he promised and returned quickly afterward.
It was finally time... 
The news spread like wildfire.
Robert William’s declaration that he would reveal his successor shook the world to its core. Every major news outlet, website, and social media platform was filled with curiosity. People speculated about who the mysterious heir to the William empire could be.
The announcement itself had been brief. Robert stood before a sea of reporters at an exclusive press conference and made the declaration with his signature commanding presence:
"The time has come. Tomorrow, the world will know the face of my successor—the one who will carry forward the legacy of XY Corps."
He left the stage without answering questions and within minutes, the world was on fire with speculation. Every news channel and host spent time examining Robert's words in detail as they continued to debate endlessly.
“I have to say, this is the biggest business announcement of the decade!” one enthusiastic host exclaimed. “Let’s talk about it. He retired about two or three months ago, right? He made quite the announcement—said he transferred all his companies and assets to an heir, but we all know Robert Williams doesn’t have a son—at least not anyone we know of.”
“Exactly! That’s what’s got everyone talking. I mean, who is this mysterious heir? There’s no public record of any children, no distant relatives stepping forward.”
“You know, some are speculating it could be a follower he’s been mentoring behind the scenes. Others think it might even be an adopted heir.” another speculated.
In boardrooms across the globe, CEOs discussed the announcement with growing unease.
“Whoever it is,” one executive said grimly, “they’re about to be announced as the most powerful figure in the world.”
---
In contrast to the chaos, James Robert sat quietly in his office, watching the news unfold on his tablet. His expression remained calm, but his thoughts churned.
So, this is it, he thought. I and my father are finally making it public.
For two months and a half, he had lived in the shadows, quietly building the empire. Now, the world was about to learn the truth.
---
The next day arrived with palpable tension in the air.
Every major news network went live as the world waited to see the mysterious successor. A grand press event had been arranged in front of XY Corps’ iconic glass tower, the company’s logo gleaming under the midday sun.
Robert William stood at the podium, his expression proud and unyielding.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his deep voice resonating through the crowd, “it is with great honor that I introduce you to the future of XY Corps—my son, James Robert William.”
The crowd gasped as James stepped out onto the stage. Cameras flashed wildly, capturing his every move. Dressed in a tailored suit, he walked with quiet confidence, his piercing gaze sweeping over the audience.
A young female reporter stepped forward and spoke in a composed tone. "Mr. Robert, everyone knows you never had a son. Why is there suddenly one now? Was he adopted, or perhaps a protégé?"
"I had a son, but I hid him because I had many enemies who wanted to ruin me and destroy what I built. These enemies took my firstborn, which broke my family apart. When my wife had another son, I decided to keep him a secret. I didn't do this out of shame, but out of fear. I was scared of losing him too.
I kept him hidden to protect him from the dangers that come with my name. It was a difficult choice, but it was necessary for his safety.
Now, my son is no longer a boy who needs protection. He has grown into a smart and capable man, wiser than I ever expected. He has shown that he is ready to take control of his future.
It’s time the world knows the truth: he is my blood, my legacy, and the rightful heir to everything I’ve built. I’m stepping aside because I trust him to lead the way forward with strength, integrity, and wisdom."
The reporters fell into stunned silence. 
Then came the headlines:
“James Robert William: The Trillionaire Successor!”
“The Richest Man Alive Revealed!”
“Meet the New King of the Corporate World.”
Social media exploded with reactions.
@Hungry_for_more: James Robert William is officially the richest man alive, with a net worth in the trillions. The business world will never be the same.
@CelebrityBuzz: Finally, the curiosity I’ve been feeling for the past two and a half months has been satisfied. He’s handsome, powerful, and now the most eligible bachelor in the world. 
@Ragna: Why do I feel like he looks familiar? 
---
The World Reacts
In homes, offices, and cafes, people watched the news in awe.
“I can’t believe it,” a woman murmured to her friends. “He’s been hiding in plain sight all this time.”
“Look at him!” another said. “He’s not just rich—he looks so hot.”
And somewhere in the midst of it all, two people sat in stunned silence—Lilian and her mother, Celestia.
---
The sleek marble floors of the Drake mansion glistened under the sunlight pouring in through the large windows. Lilian sat elegantly on a plush white sofa, a glass of red wine in her hand, lost in thought. The TV in front of her played softly in the background, tuned to a business news channel.
The anchor’s voice suddenly caught her attention.
Anchor: "In breaking news, James Robert, the former son-in-law of the once prominent Envageline family, has been revealed as the sole heir to the Williams empire. The billionaire Robert Williams, founder of the trillion-dollar Company XY Corps, has officially announced his son, James, as his successor."
Lilian’s wine glass slipped from her hand, crashing onto the floor. Her eyes widened in shock as images of James flooded the screen — stepping out of a sleek black limousine, surrounded by bodyguards, with reporters swarming him.
Anchor: "James Robert is now the richest man alive, surpassing even the wealthiest tech moguls. He has taken control of XY Corps and various subsidiaries under his vast empire, making him one of the most powerful figures in the business world."
Lilian felt her heart pound in her chest. Her mind reeled with disbelief.
“No… This can’t be…”
She grabbed the remote and turned up the volume.
The screen now showed footage of James at a press conference. He’s dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, exuding an aura of confidence and power. His cold, piercing gaze sent a chill down her spine.
Lilian’s hands trembled. Her mind flashed back to the times she had cheated, humiliated, and mocked him — in front of her friends, her family, and the entire Drake circle.
She remembered the day she told him he would never amount to anything. The cruel words she spat at him during their divorce.
"James… the richest man alive?"
The door to the living room opened, and her mother, Mrs. Sullivan, stepped in.
"Lilian, did you see the news? James—"
Lilian cut her off, her voice trembling with regret and fear. "Mom, it all makes sense now. The collapse of Sterling Holdings, the downfall of our Drake Enterprise—it was all James. He planned everything." Her eyes remained glued to the screen. "And I was blind. I made the biggest mistake of my life."
Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at the screen. James’s image lingered — proud, composed, and untouchable.
In that moment, she realized one thing:
She didn’t just lose a man.
She lost the man.
And he’s never coming back.
Mrs. Celestia started to pace back and forth, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Her expression is tensed, her lips pursed in frustration as she thought about the news concerning James. 
Mrs. Celestia suddenly stopped, turning to her daughter with a determined gleam in her eyes, "Lilian, listen to me. There’s still a way to fix this."
Lilian doesn’t respond, lost in thought. 
"Didn’t you hear me? James will forgive you if he believes Lily is his daughter. We can make this work. You can get him back."
At that, Lilian snapped out of her daze, shaking her head, "No, Mom. I already told him the truth. I told him Lily isn’t his… back when I didn’t know who he really was."
Mrs. Celestia’s eyes widen in shock, "You what?"
Lilian sobbed, "I thought he was nothing. Just a useless man with no future. I didn’t think it mattered."
Mrs. Celestia took a deep breath, clearly frustrated but refusing to give up, "Then we lie. You tell him you panicked back then — that you lied about Lily not being his because you didn’t want to continue being tied to a man with no money when a man like Bill exists."
Lilian stared at her mother in disbelief, "You’re suggesting I fake a DNA report?"
"Exactly. We’ll get the best lab to create a convincing report. James won’t question it. He might be rich now, but he’s still a man. Once he believes Lily is his daughter, he’ll forgive you. He’ll do anything to be part of her life."
Lilian clenched her fists, her mind spinning, "Mom, this could ruin us if he finds out."
"And if we don’t do it? We’ll stay ruined. Everything we built is gone, Lilian. The company, our status — we have nothing left. James holds all the power now. Think about it. Lily is your only chance to reconnect with him. He might hate us now, but he won’t turn his back on his child."