The Hidden Heiress

Serenity married a man she met once.

But she has no idea that he's really the richest man in the city…..

"Skreeeeech--"

The Rolls Royce Zachary York was riding in suddenly stopped. Before he lost his temper, his driver breathed a sigh of relief and explained ''Mr. York, we nearly hit Mrs. York. That was close.''

Zachary York looked up and saw Serenity Hunt standing in front of his car. Because the car windows were one way view only, Serenity couldn't see the people inside the car.

Days earlier, she had saved Zachary's grandma and old lady threatened Zachary to marry her, so Zachary flash married Serenity. They were just like strangers even though they were legally married. Zachary indeed had no intention of disclosing his billionaire identity so soon before he discovered what Serenity was truly doing.

''Sorry,'' Serenity smiled and gestured apologetically then started off, disappearing on her e-bike. There was absolutely no way she was waiting to be screamed at.

Zachary's jaw tightened. I mean, what an empty mind to be riding like that on a busy road. Did she want to be killed?

''Let's go.'' Yet Zachary remained silent despite internally ripping into Serenity.

He does have an important dinner party to go to.

Serenity didn't know she almost crashed into her husband's car.

How the hell would she picture that? Zachary told her he was an average worker earning an average salary. But she didn't care. She managed a bookshop and lived comfortably. Marriage is just her way of reassuring her sister, her only remaining family after her parents passed away.

When she arrived at her bookshop, a friend of hers, Jasmine, was already there.

Serenity dropped her bag, ''Guess what Jasmine,'' I saw a Rolls Royce on my way here.

Jasmine wiggled her eyebrow, ''Did you see who's in the fucking car? A hot, single CEO?''

Serenity acts as if she cannot speak, ''No, and believe I am married? Jasmine, you really need to watch less TV drama because it would have you believe the streets are crawling with CEOs...."

Jasmine laughed, saying, ''Oh, I see, like you just got married and forgot about all the fun! Mrs. York, are you free tonight?

''No plans, why?'' Serenity's life has always centered on her bookshop and her home.

''There's this high society dinner party tonight! My aunt invited me. Can you be my plus one?''

''Not interested.'' Serenity wanted nothing to do with the elite, and had no money to do so, anyway.

''Come on, Seren. My mom obviously will annoy me the whole day.'' Tonight we get to see how the one percenters live. ''Plus, the food is the best there!''

Serenity finally gave in. She was never one to refuse food, and Jasmine knew that all too well.

They shut the store early to get ready for the party.

The party was sponsored at Wiltspoon Hotel, another of the finest in the city, and also a place Serenity never had the chance to step into.

Rachel, Jasmine's aunt, smiled at the sight of them.

''Aunt Rachel!''

''Mrs. Lowe.''

Rachel was happy to see her niece all dolled up and white gown, make-up and jewelry on, and Serenity just in her normal clothes.

Rachel had been afraid that Serenity would outshine her niece, but seeing Serenity dressed sensibly eased her mind.

''Very good, ladies, less talk, more watch. The richest family owns Wiltspoon Hotel. Their successors may be in this room tonight, too.''

Rachel whispered to Jasmine, ''it will be a big blessing to our family if you win an heir's heart!''

Jasmine said, ''.... Aunt Rachel, I would never dare think about marrying into the richest family in Wiltspoon.'' She just came here for the food. Serenity as well, gaze on the food, heard without interrupting.

''What's the last name of the wealthiest family? Needless to say, prying was not possible for Jasmine, as she was not a day dreamer.

''York.''

''York? Now, isn't that peculiar?'' Jasmine nudged Serenity.

Serenity grinned. Her husband's last name was York, but he was not related to the wealthiest family. It was common to share the same last name.

''The Yorks have money to burn, but they're not snobs. The family will welcome whoever their boys choose, as long as she is of good character. They are pretty open minded.''

Rachel urged her niece to go after the Yorks, but Jasmine's indifference made Rachel want to reach over and twist her ear. Rachel said, ''You two go in first. I need to greet a friend.''

Jasmine eagerly complied. Inside, they crouched in a corner and gorged on the feast.

All of a sudden, the audience went quiet, turning their heads toward the entrance. The duo, while munching away in delight, sensed something amiss.

Serenity elbowed Jasmine, ''Why did they stop talking? Who's there?''

''No idea.''

Standing on their tiptoes, the pair attempted to catch a glimpse of the hotel entrance, but the crowd was too thick.

That's when Zachary strode into his family owned hotel, dressed to the nines and flanked by his bodyguards.

With his tall, handsome frame and an aura that was making a hesitating attempt at being aloof like a magnet, everyone turned to look.....