The Billionaire's Heir I Never Knew Was Mine

”Sir...”

The voice reached him again, clearer this time.

At first, Zachary didn’t pay much attention.

Voices called out in hotel lobbies all the time. Staff addressing guests, guests calling each other, assistants chasing after their superiors.

It wasn’t unusual.

But something about this one felt... directed.

As he saw a woman with long, wavy, ginger-brown hair and a pale but beautiful face rushing toward him, his steps instinctively slowed.

A moment later, he came to a complete stop.

”Thank god, I finally found you...!”

’Found me?’ He wonders.

Zachary frowned slightly, confusion flickering across his mind as he turned his head to glance behind him.

For a brief moment, he assumed the call wasn’t meant for him. Perhaps she was speaking to someone else.

But the space behind him was empty.

The lobby was quiet, with only a few guests and staff scattered at a distance, none close enough to match her urgency.

He turned back.

And this time, his gaze met hers.

He paused.

Her eyes were bright, almost sparkling, as if she had just discovered something precious she had been searching for. There was relief in them, and something else... excitement, maybe.

Zachary studied her face, trying to remember her. But nothing concrete came to mind. No memory of her face and voice in his last week’s activities, let alone familiarity.

Maybe someone he met once?

But before he could speak his mind, the woman moved one step closer and spoke again, as if she had already read the confusion in his expression.

”Sir, I’m the woman you helped in Evercrest Hospital two weeks ago...”

The moment she said Evercrest, something clicked.

A faint memory surfaced, dim at first, then clearer.

He remembers a woman rushed into his car... Breathless. Desperate. Asking for help.

’Ah... So it was her.’

Zachary’s gaze sharpened slightly as recognition settled in, though his expression remained calm.

”You remember now, right?” she asked again, her voice carrying a hint of hope, as if she needed confirmation.

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he looked at her more carefully this time, as if comparing the memory in his mind with the woman standing before him.

She looked... different.

Looking at her standing before him, he realized she was shorter than he remembered. Now he can see her head only reach his shoulder.

She also didn’t carry a frantic expression.

There’s no sign of fear in her gaze.

She simply looked stunning in her formal office attire—a brown knee-length skirt, paired with a white silk blouse and a stylish suit that fit her hourglass figure. Holding an agenda in her hand, she appeared both classy and sophisticated.

”You dropped me off at the train station that night,” she added, her voice softer now. The brightness in her eyes dimmed slightly, replaced by a trace of nervousness.

Zachary noticed the change.

”Yes,” he said finally, nodding once. ”I remember you.”

The shift in her expression was immediate. Relief washed over her face, and her smile returned light and genuine.

”Thank goodness,” she said, letting out a small breath. ”I was worried you might not remember me.”

Her tone was casual, but her reaction felt... sincere.

”As I said that time, I owe you a delicious lunch,” she continued, glancing at her watch. Then her expression stiffened slightly. ”Ugh... but I can’t do it now. I have an important meeting with our client. Can we do next?”

Zachary followed her glance briefly before returning his attention to her.

”Miss—”

”Sienna Adams,” she corrected quickly, almost too quickly, as if she didn’t want any distance between them. ”Just call me Sienna.”

Then, as if remembering something, she added with a small, cheerful smile, ”And yes, I work here.”

Her energy felt different from that of most people he met. She seemed open and unfiltered. This was enough to catch his attention.

Zachary found himself watching her for a moment longer than necessary.

”How about you?” she asked. ”Are you working here, or are you a guest?”

He shook his head lightly.

”I don’t work here,” he replied calmly. ”And I’m not a guest either. I have a lunch meeting there.”

He pointed to the restaurant.

”Ah...” Sienna nodded, her expression thoughtful. Then her smile returned. ”Sir, can you give me your number? I’ll contact you after my meeting. I still owe you that meal.”

Zachary paused. It wasn’t a long pause. But it was enough to show that he was thinking.

Then he nodded.

”Give me your phone.” He said.

Sienna blinked, clearly not expecting that response, but she quickly recovered. ”Oh, okay...”

She unlocked her phone and handed it to him without hesitation.

Zachary took it, his movements calm and unhurried as he entered his number. His expression remained neutral, but there was a faint trace of curiosity in his eyes.

When he finished, he returned the phone to her.

”Alright,” he said. ”You can contact me at that number anytime.”

Then, after a brief pause, he added, ”No need to rush, Miss Sienna. Go finish your work first.”

Sienna took her phone back, nodding quickly.

”Okay.”

Zachary turned slightly, about to continue on his way.

But before he could take another step, she called him, ”Sir, please wait...”

He stopped again.

Sienna looked at him, a little hesitant this time. ”Can I know your name?” she asked.

Zachary glanced at her briefly.

Then he said simply, ”I already saved it on your phone.”

Sienna’s eyes widened slightly as she quickly glanced at the screen.

’Huh? Why does his name sound like Zachary Sterling?’ She chuckled to herself. ’Nah, probably just a coincidence that their names are similar.’

”See you later, Zach...”

Before he could respond, she turned and hurried toward the conference room on the other side of the lobby, her steps quick and purposeful.

Zachary didn’t move.

He stood there, watching her retreating figure as she disappeared into the distance.

The faint echo of her voice lingered in his mind.

’Zach.’

It wasn’t a name people around him used lightly, especially not with him standing before them.

For a brief moment, he remained still, his gaze fixed on the space where she had just been.

Then, slowly, he shifted his attention forward again.

But something felt... different.

And he couldn’t quite explain why.