From Rejection to Royalty: Rise of the Forgotten Heir

Chapter 0005 - The Price of Pride

Manager Liu waited until Carlos and Laura were gone before turning back to Declan. He bowed deeply. 

“Young Master, I sincerely apologize for that disturbance. I should have handled the situation better from the start,”

 Declan shook his head, “It's not your fault. You handled it well,”

 "You're too kind, Young Master." Manager Liu said as he straightened, relief washing over his face, "If I may, I'd like to assign two plainclothes bodyguards to stay with you during your time in Boston. For your safety and convenience. They'll be discreet." He paused. "I'd also like to provide you with several outfits. Quality clothing that will ensure no one looks down on you again. Especially after what happened tonight,”

Declan raised an eyebrow. The offer was tempting. After years of wearing cheap clothes from dollar stores, the idea of having quality outfits was quite appealing. 

But then he remembered what the security guard had said earlier. Old money intentionally wore understated clothing and accessories. Only new money liked flashy things.

"I don't need overly flashy outfits," Declan said. "A few old money-style outfits will do."

Manager Liu nodded respectfully. "Of course, Young Master. I understand perfectly. I'll have them prepared immediately."

---

The next morning, Declan woke up in the plushest bed he'd ever slept in. For a moment, he just lay there, staring at the ceiling. Everything still felt unreal but he was starting to get a hang of it. 

He got up and stretched. His body felt rested in a way it hadn't felt in years. No aches from a bad mattress or stiffness from cold. 

He found the clothes Manager Liu had prepared. They were custom made outfits with no brand labels anywhere. They didn't scream wealth, just quiet confidence – and they were the perfect fit. 

 Exactly what he needed. 

He got dressed and headed to Boston Metropolitan University.

Today's class was taught by Professor Klint. He was a well known social climber who often abused his power for personal gain. 

Declan did not want to provoke and risk his chances of graduating. Sure, that might not be a problem, given his current situation – but he still wanted to maintain a good record for when the Steele Family accepted him publicly. 

Boston Metropolitan was one of those schools where most students came from money and spent most of their days talking about their trust fund. 

Only a small number came from other backgrounds and this created a superficial atmosphere where everyone judged you by your clothes, your car and your family name. 

Declan could have gone to a better school back then – his grades were good enough. But his adoptive parents refused to pay tuition anywhere else. 

Boston Metropolitan offered him a half scholarship, so he had no choice But to attend the same school as Carlos which made everything worse. 

The moment Declan walked into the classroom, he knew something was wrong. 

The energy was different. Every single person was staring at him. The usual chatter had died completely. Even Professor Klint, who was standing at the front of the room, had stopped mid-sentence to look at him.

Declan's eyes swept across the room, trying to figure out what was happening. Then he saw them. Laura was lying in Carlos's arms in the back row surrounded by a group of people all staring at him with ill intent, ready for a show.

He knew without being told that they'd been talking, spreading stories and poisoning everyone against him.

Carlos spoke up first, his voice loud and mocking, “I can't believe you're not hiding in the security booth and actually dared to come to school today,”

Declan's jaw tightened, “If someone who bought his way in can attend, why can't I?”

Carlos' face went red with anger, “What did you say?”

Before Declan could respond, Professor Klint cleared his throat. His voice dripped with false concern, "Mr. Reyes, I advise you to treat your brother better. His family is rising in influence, you know. Someone poor like you should not be so clueless. You should be buttering up to him instead. That's how the world works,”

Declan's eyes went cold. He looked directly at Professor Klint. 

“Mind your own business, Professor. Or risk being exposed in a scandal by the media someday,”

The class went dead silent, you could literally hear people breathing. 

Professor Klint’s face went from pale to red. He looked like he'd been slapped. Fury flashed his eyes and his hands trembled slightly as they gripped his desk, “How dare you –”

A deep, aggressive voice cut him short, “Enough talk,”

All eyes turned to the back where a tall guy stood. He looked like he spent every day at the gym. 

Louis Carter, Carlos’ best friend. He cracked his knuckles, grinning.

“I’ll teach this punk a lesson right now. Boys, Let's go,”

Three other boys stood up with him, all big and looking ready for a fight.

Declan's expression darkened. His whole body tensed, “Try it,”

He knew Manager Lou's bodyguards were positioned somewhere in the building. They'd step in if things got serious. But part of him wanted these bastards to try. 

“Stop it,” an angry voice rang out. Georgina stood up from her seat in the front row. Her facial expression was somewhere between anger and disgust, “You're going too far, both of you. Acting like gangsters, not students. This is supposed to be a university,”

Georgina Harper was a good girl from a solid middle class family. She was also one of the few real friends Declan had at school. Unlike most people, she never looked down on him for being poor.

Carlos waved his hand dismissively. Louis and his crew sat back down, though they still looked eager, “Relax, Georgina. I'm not going to hit him,”

He leaned back into his chair and framed an arm around Laura's shoulders. A cruel smile spread across his face, “But he embarrassed me and Laura at the Grand Silverton last night. Made us look like fools in front of everyone. He has to pay some price for that,”

“What do you want? Spit it out,” Declan asked. 

Carlos' eyes lit up with malicious glee. He'd been waiting for this, planning it. "Tonight. The fraternity's having dinner at Marconi's. You're picking up the tab. The whole thing. Every drink. Every meal,”

The class erupted in shocked whispers. People turned to each other with wide eyes.

Everyone knew about Marconi's. It was the most expensive restaurant near campus. One meal there could cost eight or nine hundred dollars. 

The fraternity had at least thirty members. That bill would be in tens of thousands. Maybe twenty five thousand. Maybe more.

Georgina stood up so fast her chair fell backward. “Have you lost your mind? Marconi’s costs a fortune! Are you deliberately trying to trap him?”

She turned to Declan, with a worried expression on her face, “Don’t fall for it. This is obviously a trap. I'll do my best to help you. I have some savings we can –”

“I have money,” Declan said simply. 

The whispers stopped and the room went completely silent again. 

Georgina blinked, confused, “What?”

“I said, I have money,”