Chapter 2: The Secret Inside the Blanket
Richard brought Noah and the children to his mansion that same evening.
His employees were shocked.
The billionaire who refused invitations, avoided strangers, and never allowed anyone close...
had brought three homeless children home.
"Mr. Whitmore, are you sure?" his assistant Daniel asked.
Richard looked at the children sitting quietly at the dinner table.
They were eating slowly.
Carefully.
Almost afraid someone would take the food away.
"How long have they been living like this?" Richard asked.
Daniel checked his records.
"At least six months."
Richard's jaw tightened.
Six months.
Three children.
No parents.
No protection.
No one caring whether they survived.
That night, Richard couldn't sleep.
Not because of his legs.
Because of Noah's words.
"Maybe you needed someone who believed you could."
The next morning, Richard asked Noah a question.
"Why did you bring Lily to me?"
Noah looked at the floor.
"Because she helped someone before."
"Who?"
"My little brother."
Richard looked at the younger child.
The boy smiled shyly.
Noah continued.
"When he was sick, Lily touched his hand. The next day, he got better."
Richard studied him carefully.
"You believe she has powers?"
Noah shook his head.
"No."
That answer surprised him.
"Then what do you believe?"
The boy looked at Lily sleeping nearby.
"I believe people give up too quickly."
Richard said nothing.
Then Noah reached inside his old jacket.
He pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"I was saving this."
Richard opened it.
His eyes widened.
It was a newspaper clipping.
A picture of Richard from twenty years earlier.
Standing beside a hospital.
Holding a newborn baby.
But Richard didn't recognize the child.
His face changed.
"Where did you get this?"
Noah swallowed.
"My mother kept it."
Richard stared at the photograph.
"Why?"
The boy whispered:
"Because she said you were the only person who could help us."
Richard looked confused.
"What does that mean?"
Before Noah could answer...
the mansion doors opened.
A woman walked inside.
Elegant.
Expensive clothing.
Cold eyes.
"Richard."
Everyone turned.
The woman smiled.
"You're bringing strangers into this house now?"
Richard's expression hardened.
"Victoria."
His former business partner's daughter.
The woman who had been waiting years to control his company.
She looked at Noah.
Then at Lily.
And her smile disappeared.
"Where did that baby come from?"
Richard noticed the fear in her eyes.
Not surprise.
Fear.
"Why do you care?"
Victoria forced a laugh.
"I don't."
But she did.
May you like
And Richard knew it.
Because powerful people only looked afraid when they had something to hide.
