RISE OF THE BILLIONAIRE STUDENT HEIR

One

The school hallways were alive with chatter, but today, there was an unusual buzz in the air. Students whispered among themselves, glancing at the classroom door where Jason Reed sat, unaware of what was coming for him.

Jason, a 20-year-old college student, had always been the outcast because he was born ugly. He was quiet, kept to himself, and had no real friends. He had spent years enduring bullying and discrimination, but today was different. 

Jason was alone all his life. He continued college and at the same time worked as a janitor to support his studies. He was full of hope even though he thought that fate was unfair to him. 

His parents abandoned him when he was born because he looked hideous. But he never let that reality discourage him. 

“What are they looking at?” With brows furrowed, he asked himself. 

It was very unusual for people to look his way; they avoided him like a plague all the time, not even a glance was thrown at him when they walk past him. 

But today, the stares weren’t just filled with contempt—they held something more. Anticipation and excitement were visible in their cruel eyes. 

The sound of heavy boots stomping down the hall made the students fall silent. A group of police officers, dressed in black tactical gear. They were aremed with high-powered guns and their dominance and authority stood among the students. They stormed the room. The professor stopped mid-lecture, eyes wide with shock.

“Good morning, officers. What can I do for you?” The professor asked in fear. It’s an unusual scene to see armed police officers inside the campus. There must be something wrong. 

“Jason Reed?” one officer called out, his voice firm and unwavering. He ignored the professor. His eyes were sharp to scan the students inside the room. 

Jason looked up, confused. “Yes?” His innocent eyes looked at them with confusion. 

Why would the police ask for him? “I am Jason Reed, officer.” He was about to stand, but before he could react, the officers rushed at him. 

Hands grabbed his arms, shoving him onto the desk. The room erupted in gasps and murmurs. Some students jolted, and some screamed in fear as the scene unfolded in front of them. 

“What’s happening?” Jason gasped as he tried to free himself from their tight grip. “What the hell are you doing?” 

Jason struggled, but the officers forced him to the ground, pressing his face against the cold floor. 

“You shut your mouth, kid. You’re under arrest for the murder of Evelyn Harper,” the officer declared, tightening the cuffs around Jason’s wrists.

The mention of the name made the room explode in noise. Everyone was shocked at the mention of her name and the idea that she was murdered by Jason. 

Evelyn Harper— she’s not a nobody. She’s the hotel heiress who had been found beheaded in her luxurious suite just two nights ago. The gruesome murder had dominated the news, and now, Jason was being accused of it.

Jason’s eyes went wide. “What? No! I didn’t kill anyone! I swear to god! I can’t do that to her!” He begged the officers to let him go, but they only snarled at him, telling him to shut his mouth. 

A group of students in the back cheered, clapping and laughing. They were the kids who constantly bullied Jason.

“Finally! The freak is getting what he deserves!” one of them sneered.

“I always knew he was a psycho,” another girl whispered to her friend, loud enough for Jason to hear.

Jason’s heart pounded in his chest. “I didn’t do anything!” he shouted, his voice cracking with panic. “This is a mistake!” Fear cripped in his entire body as he was pushed by the officers. 

“Tell it to the judge,” the officer spat before yanking Jason up by the arms. The students parted like waves, creating a clear path as the police dragged him out.

The moment they stepped into the hallway, Jason heard more laughter, more taunts. All of the students were glad that’s he was arrested. 

“Good riddance, murderer!”

“Hey, watch your head! Oh, wait—you like taking heads off, don’t you?” a jock jeered, making the entire crowd burst into laughter.

Jason’s breath came in short, uneven gasps. His mind raced, trying to process what was happening. How could they think he did this? He had never even met Evelyn Harper!

“Officer, there must be a mistake in here. I don’t even know her personally!” Jason tried to explain but the officer just smirked. 

As they reached the exit, Jason suddenly pulled hard against the officer’s grip, breaking free for just a moment. He turned, his eyes burning with desperation. 

“Someone help me! I didn’t do it!” He was hoping against all hope that somewhere in the sea of crowd someone would help him. 

Instead of sympathy, the crowd roared with laughter. Phones were out, recording his humiliation. No one believed him. No one cared. They enjoyed filming him and posting him online, making him viral in just minutes. 

A fist slammed into his gut. One of the officers had punched him to keep him from resisting. 

Jason crumpled, gasping for air as pain shot through his stomach.

“Try that again, and you’ll regret it,” the officer growled, dragging him forward harshly.

Outside, flashing red and blue lights illuminated the campus. Reporters swarmed the scene, cameras clicking furiously.

“Jason Reed! Did you kill Evelyn Harper?”

“Why did you behead her?”

“Are you a serial killer?”

Jason’s vision blurred as he was shoved into the back of the police van. The door slammed shut, cutting off the chaotic noise outside. He leaned back, his hands trembling in the cuffs.

“I didn’t do it,” he whispered to himself. “I didn’t do it…” 

***

Inside the interrogation room, the air was thick with tension. The only light came from a dim bulb hanging from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Detective Harris, a burly man with cold eyes, leaned forward, tapping his fingers on the metal table. Across from him, Jason sat with his hands still cuffed, his clothes slightly disheveled from the struggle.

“You know why you’re here,” Harris said, his voice low and dangerous.

Jason swallowed hard. “I swear, I didn’t kill her.” His lips trembled as he speak.

Harris smirked. “We have witnesses placing you near the hotel that night. We have security footage of someone matching your description entering her suite. And we have your fingerprints on the murder weapon.”

Jason’s blood ran cold. “That’s impossible! I wasn’t there! Someone must’ve set me up!” Jason couldn’t understand why this happened to him. He was innocent! 

Harris leaned in closer. “Then tell me, Jason—who did it?”

Jason’s mouth opened, but no words came out. He had no answers, no alibi. He was trapped. 

The detective stood up and slammed his hands on the table. “You’re going to prison for a long time, kid. Maybe even death row.”

Jason’s head spun. He could already see it—his life in a tiny cell, forever labeled a murderer. The thought made his stomach churn. 

All his hopes for a brighter future was slowly fading into a tiny dim light and then vanished into oblivion. 

Suddenly, the door burst open. A young officer ran in, out of breath. “Sir! We have a problem!”

Harris glared at him. “What is it?”

“The evidence… we found Evelyn Harper’s head in Reed’s locker in the school. It was there, and the fingerprints matched his. The evidence was solid.” 

Harris stiffened. “What?” He glanced at Jason, his jaw was tight and his eyes burned with rage. 

Jason’s heart skipped a beat. No! How could her head be in his locker? Someone must have framed him up! 

Silence filled the room. Jason felt his pulse hammering against his skull. Could this nightmare get any worse?

Harris narrowed his eyes at Jason. “You, murdered! I will make sure you rot in hell, you bastard!” Harris sneered at him before he stormed out of the investigation room and slammed the door closed.

Jason sat back, his mind racing. Someone had framed him. Someone wanted him to take the fall. 

He closed his eyes as tears threatened to fall. He swallowed hard. How could this happen to him?