Revenge Of The Billionaire Heir

Chapter One

Three million dollars.

The number kept swirling in Declan Hale’s mind like a bad dream.

Where was he supposed to find that kind of money? He was just a poor orphan, barely surviving on a scholarship. Even thinking about it made his chest tighten.

But right now, there were horses to ride and a championship game to win.

The Polo field of Elite Howard University spread like a bright green carpet under the hot afternoon sun. Horses thundered across the grass as the crowd shouted and whistled.

Declan gripped the reins tighter, trying to focus, but his thoughts kept drifting to Nana lying sick in the school clinic.

If he didn’t play well today, Howard University could lose the match and he could lose the medical school scholarship they promised him if he continued winning championships for them. Losing wasn’t an option. His whole future depended on it.

“Declan! Put your head in the game, or you know the consequences!”

Coach Carter’s voice snapped across the field like a whip.

Declan blinked, raised his mallet, and pushed Jet, his dark brown horse, into a sprint. He forced his focus back onto the ball. Grass flew beneath them as he leaned, swung, and struck clean.

The ball shot across the field.

Another hit , straight through the goal.

The crowd roared.

Howard won.

But the cheers weren’t for Declan. Not a single person walked up to him. No one clapped him on the back, not even a word of praise.

They celebrated the win, not the boy who made it happen.

He sat on Jet for a moment, breathing hard. His hands were rough, his neck damp with sweat. His muscles ached, but his eyes still shone with quiet pride. Even after everything, he had helped his school stand tall.

As he trotted toward the edge of the field, he tried not to stare at the flashing diamond rings, expensive Rolex watches, and polished designer boots worn by the other boys , the ones born into money and power. Their presence reminded him exactly where he stood in this world.

Nowhere.

“Hey! Garbage boy!”

A voice cut through the crowd.

A deep, arrogant voice everyone recognized.

Stefan Sinclair, the mayor’s only son who stood with a riding crop in his hand, looking like he owned the whole field. His black hair was slick, his jaw sharp, and his polo boots gleamed as if they had never touched dust. Two gold rings glittered on his fingers. The four boys flanking him were Xavier, Klyde, Marcus, and Evan, the ones everyone called the Big Five of Howard and they were extremely rich , each one having a luxurious customized sports car …all worth above 2.5 million dollars.

Students moved aside for them without a second thought.

At Howard University, Stefan did not request things, he commanded them.

Declan wished he could turn away, but scholarship students didn’t walk away from power. They endured.

“Yes?” Declan asked quietly.

Stefan smirked. “Come clean my boots. They’re dirty.”

Declan looked down. The boots were spotless.

“I cleaned them this morning,” he said softly.

Stefan shrugged. “Then clean them again.”

Laughter erupted from his friends.

Declan swallowed, stepped down from Jet, and slowly knelt. Something inside him broke a little, but he kept his face steady. His hands trembled as he reached for Stefan’s boots.

Just as his fingers touched the leather, a splash of mud hit his face.

Not from the ground ,Xavier had kicked dirt at him deliberately.

“Oh? Oops,” Xavier said with a smirk. “I missed the bucket.”

Everyone laughed.

Declan wiped the mud from his face and continued cleaning. His shame burned, but he focused on his task.

“Look at him,” Marcus snorted. “The dog knows his place.”

Klyde whistled loudly. “Hey, Declan, I heard you need money to help that poor old woman in the clinic. Bark for us, and maybe we’ll help.”

Declan froze.

Stefan bent slightly. “You heard him. Bark.”

Declan clenched his jaw. His chest tightened.

“I’m just trying to help her,” he said. “She worked here for years. She was good to all of us. Why can’t we help her? Your wristwatch alone is worth thousands of dollars, and the cars you drive cost millions. You don’t even have to ask your parents”

He didn’t finish.

A hard slap cracked across his face.

Declan’s ears rang. His cheek stung sharply as Stefan straightened, his expression cold and offended.

“I said bark,” Stefan hissed. “And don’t you dare lecture me on what to do with my money.”

Declan stared at the ground. His throat tightened.

“…woof,” he whispered.

Evan snickered. “Louder, dog.”

Declan swallowed his dignity.

“…woof.”

The boys doubled over in laughter.

A few scholarship students stood nearby but looked away, afraid to interfere. Only Asher and Ashtn, the twin brothers took a step forward, anger flashing in their eyes. Declan subtly shook his head, silently telling them to stay back.

No one wanted to become the next victim.

Stefan pulled something from his pocket ,coins …and rattled them lightly in his hand.

“Three million dollars you said?” he mocked. “Here’s your help.”

He flicked three small copper cents at Declan. One struck him on the forehead, leaving a tiny cut that bled instantly.

The boys howled with laughter.

“Fetch, dog!” Xavier jeered.

Declan’s chest tightened painfully. He could feel his heart tearing, but he kept his hands steady.

Stefan tossed his riding gloves at Declan’s chest. “Wash these. And wash all our jerseys. Make them shine like heaven.”

“There are workers for that,” Declan said quietly.

Stefan raised one eyebrow. “Do I look like I care? You do it.”

Just then, an elderly woman walked by. Her name is Nana, the stable master. Her steps were slow, and she carried a metal bucket. She looked old, tired, and pale. Everyone knew she was sick.

She paused, eyes softening when she saw Declan.

“Leave him,” she said gently. “I will do it.”

Stefan scoffed. “You? Don’t break your back, old woman.”

Nana forced a small smile. “I am fine.”

But she wasn’t fine. Declan knew it. Everyone knew it. She could hardly afford treatment.

“Don’t worry,” Declan said, taking the bucket from her. “I’ll do it.”

Stefan clapped mockingly. “A prince serving his kingdom. How cute.”

The Big Five walked away, laughing, bragging about how they would win the next horse-racing tournament because they had the best trainer ,Declan.

Declan watched them leave as something hollow settled in his chest. His hands shook; his face felt hot. For a moment, he imagined punching one of them, imagined running away, and screamed until his voice cracked. But when Nana’s pale face flashed in his mind, all the wild thoughts died.

He washed their boots, jerseys, gloves, and helmets over and over. His fingers went numb, his wrists sore, but he kept going. He needed money. He needed to save Nana. She was the only family he had though not by blood.

When Declan left the orphanage, it was Nana who gave him a tiny room to sleep in beside the stables. She fed him when she barely had enough for herself. She became his grandmother in every way that mattered.

Now she was dying of late stage colon cancer.

Three million dollars could bring her a chance.

3 fucking million dollars he didn’t have.

He had barely three thousand.

He had begged Nana to rest in the school clinic. She agreed only after he insisted. He thought she would be safe there while he worked. But while he was cleaning the toilet, he received a phone call from the school clinic.

His heart dropped.

If a doctor called, it was serious.

He threw down the mop and ran.

He sprinted across the courtyard, past the field, through the school entrance, breath heavy and chest burning. He burst into the clinic, gasping for air.

“Grandma Nana…” he said breathlessly to the nurse at the desk. “Which room?”

The nurse ,a tall woman with bright red lipstick and a permanent frown, looked him up and down like he carried disease. Her eyes held nothing but disgust.

“Room 313,” she said flatly. “Try not to make the place smell poor.”

Declan clenched his fists, but he said nothing. He turned and hurried down the hall, the number burning in his mind.

Room 313.

He didn’t know what waited behind that door.

But his heart already feared the worst.