Revenge Of The Billionaire Heir

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Stefan’s grip tightened around Declan’s sleeve like a metal vice, loud enough for everyone waiting outside the exam hall to hear him.

“Why should an ex-convict be allowed to take medical exams?” he shouted. “That’s unethical!”

A few students froze mid way. Heads turned. Some pretended not to care, but their phones came up anyway recording. Always recording.

Declan pulled his arm free, jaw tight.

“I’m here to write. Let l me in.”

Stefan laughed loudly, clapping twice like he had heard a joke.

“You think this place is for stray dogs like you?”

The crowd snickered. Someone whispered,

“Isn’t that the guy who barked at Stefan last week…?”

Declan clenched his teeth. His chest felt tight, but he kept his voice calm.

Before he could speak again, Asher and Ashton pushed through bodies and stood beside him.

“He hasn’t been convicted,” Asher snapped. “He was bailed. Back off.”

Stefan’s lips stretched into a mocking smile.

“Awww… look. The dog brought backup.”

Ashton stepped closer.

“You want to try that again? Without your daddy and his goons?”

Students gasped. A few whistled. Stefan’s eyes twitched.

He pointed toward security. “Hold him. The Dean wants him detained.”

A guard stepped forward, unsure.

“Sir… please wait while we confirm…”

Before he finished, a soft voice slid into the space.

“Good morning.”

Everyone turned.

Ms. Sonia walked toward them calm, elegant, unbothered.

Her white suit glowed under the hallway lights. She held a sealed envelope in one hand and her phone in the other.

“I’m Ms. Sonia,” she said softly. “Legal liaison. Here is a Council order permitting Candidate Declan Hale to sit his final exams under supervision.”

The guard took the papers, scanned the stamps, and his eyes widened. He lifted his radio.

Moments later, the Dean’s voice crackled through:

“…Comply. Independent room. No interference.”

A hush fell.

And just like that, Declan didn’t have to do anything. Stefan’s face locked into a stiff expression, like someone had slapped him in public.

“Oh? Look at that,” Ashton said, crossing his arms. “Seems the dog doesn’t belong outside.”

Declan didn’t look at Stefan. He simply walked behind Ms. Sonia as the guard waved him forward.

Stefan’s voice shot out behind him.

“This isn’t over!”

Asher rolled his eyes. “It never is with spoiled children.”

Snickers trembled through the crowd.

They led Declan to a smaller conference room near the faculty office. Two proctors waited inside, stiff like statues.

A camera pointed directly at the desk. One proctor checked his pockets; the other placed a sealed exam paper before him.

“No talking,” the older one said. “No phone. Camera will remain active.”

Declan nodded.

When the exam began, everything outside faded.

He closed his eyes for a second. Nana’s warm voice whispered in the back of his mind,

You were born to heal people, Declan. Remember that.

He breathed out and started writing.

Hours passed. His wrist hurt. His head ached. But he kept going, answering everything he knew.

Every late night in the library… every moment he spent memorizing instead of eating… it all flowed onto the pages.

When he finished, he raised his hand.

The proctor took the answer booklet and sealed it in a transparent bag with thick red tape. They logged the chain of custody in front of him and placed it inside a locked case.

“You may leave,” the older proctor said quietly.

When Declan stepped into the hallway again, it was full. Students whispered, pointed, and stared like he was some wild animal released from a cage.

Tahlia stood in the middle, waiting for him.

She held her bag with both hands, eyes uncertain.

“Declan… can we talk?” she said softly.

He looked at her very well. She was at the girl who once hugged him after games, the girl he saved money for, worked late nights for, the girl who abandoned him when he needed her most.

His voice came out low.

“There’s nothing to say.”

Her brows squeezed together.

“Nothing to say?” she asked louder. “After everything? After I tried to speak for you yesterday, you’re just walking away?”

He said nothing.

People were gathering around. Phones lifted again.

Stefan leaned on a rail at the far end, watching like a king enjoying a show.

Tahlia let out a sharp laugh, masking her panic.

“So that’s it? You think ignoring me makes you mature?”

Silence.

Her smile dropped.

“I shouldn’t even feel bad for you. It’s not my fault you’re pathetic and miserable! Did you really think someone like me ,a pretty, smart, from a decent family would end up with someone like you?”

Gasps rippled through the hall at her words.

Ashton stepped forward immediately.

“Wow. And here I thought Stefan was the biggest trash on campus.”

Asher grabbed Declan’s arm gently.

“She’s not worth responding to.”

Tahlia opened her mouth again, but Asher stepped between them.

“Go stay with your new trash. Y’all look alike anyway.”

“Shut up!” she snapped. “You’re just jealous…”

“No,” Ashton cut in. “We’re just not blind.”

Declan didn’t look at her again. He turned and walked toward the gate. His heartbeat felt heavy, but his steps were steady.

Behind them, Stefan’s laughter echoed.

“This is what happens when dogs think they’re lions.”

Asher raised his hand and gave Stefan a middle finger without even turning around.

“Bark somewhere else.”

Students snorted.

Stefan’s voice rose, angry.

“You’ll regret this, Declan!”

Declan didn’t stop walking.

By the time they reached the main road, Ms. Sonia had already left quietly, like smoke.

The twins walked on either side of Declan.

He cleared his throat awkwardly.

“I… just want to say thank you,” he said. “For always treating me right. You two are the only ones who never looked at me like I was dirt.”

Ashton scratched his head.

“Bro, don’t get emotional. We just did what humans should do.”

Asher nodded. “Besides, we’re starving. If you want to thank us, buy us food.”

Declan laughed. It came out small, but real.

“Deal.”

He stopped a taxi and told the driver an address.

Asher and Ashton kept chatting about the exam.

“That first question was crazy,” Asher said.

“I guessed half the stuff,” Ashton admitted.

“I wrote nonsense,” Asher added. “If I pass, it’s a miracle.”

Declan smiled.

“You did better than you think.”

Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen.

The taxi slowed in front of a massive white building with tall glass walls that seemed to reach the sky. Gold-rimmed doors shone under the afternoon sun. Valets in tuxedos stood waiting at the entrance. A red carpet covered the walkway. Black SUVs and luxury sedans lined the parking area.

It looked more like a presidential palace than a restaurant.

Asher stared outside the window.

“Uhmm… Declan,” he whispered, eyes wide, “are you sure you told the driver the right place?”

Ashton pressed his face to the glass.

“Bro… this is that place where celebrities eat. Royalty. Diplomats. Bloodlines older than history. They don’t even allow regular people to book tables.”

The taxi driver looked nervous.

“Sir… Do you want me to turn back? Maybe you entered the wrong address.”

Declan quietly shook his head.

“No… this is the right one.”