2025-11-05 18:40:23Chapter 8
Declan stepped out of the taxi first, the twins following behind, still staring at the gold framed entrance like it was a portal into another world. “It’s okay,” Declan said quietly. “We can eat here.” Asher blinked. “Ehh?” Ashton whispered, “Bro… do you know how expensive this place is?” Declan swallowed. “I’ve never really eaten anything nice before. I want to try it… with my friends.” The twins exchanged a look and nodded slowly. They weren’t about to crush him not after the week he’d had. A valet in a black tuxedo walked toward them. His eyes scanned their cheap clothes, dusty shoes, and simple backpacks. His nose wrinkled like he smelled something rotten. “Good afternoon,” he said stiffly. “Do you have a reservation?” Declan shook his head. “No. But it looks like there’s space inside. We just want to eat.” The valet blinked, then let out a low, mocking laugh. “You want to eat here?” he repeated loudly, drawing attention. “Sir… if you want leftovers, you should come in the evening. We give scraps to the less fortunate before closing. It will save you embarrassment.” Ashton’s face fell. Asher clenched his fists. Declan felt heat climb his neck. “I didn’t ask for leftovers,” Declan said quietly. “I asked if there was space inside.” The valet raised a brow, amused. “Yes. There is space. But…” He leaned closer, voice dripping with insult. “A simple caviar meal here 35,000 thousand dollars. Can you spend that?” The twins’ mouths dropped open. “We… we can go,” Ashton whispered, tugging Declan’s sleeve. “This is too much.” But Declan didn’t move. His voice was steady. “You shouldn’t judge people by how they look. Whether someone is poor or rich, it costs nothing to treat them with respect.” The valet sighed like he was tired of this conversation. “Sir, please leave before you embarrass yourself. Or security will escort you.” Declan stood still hurt, but silent. Just then… Engines roared from behind. A line of luxury sports cars rolled into the driveway. Bright red, metallic blue, and sleek blackFerraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens looking like beasts on wheels. The valet’s face lit up. Stefan and his friends climbed out, laughing, wearing designer clothes like they owned the world. “Welcome back, Mr. Sinclair,” the valet said, bowing deeply. “They’re expecting you. Please, go right in.” Xavier tossed his keys to another valet without even looking. Marcus removed his sunglasses, smiling at the entrance like paparazzi were waiting. But Stefan’s eyes found Declan standing there in his cheap shirt and worn shoes. A cruel smile stretched across his lips. “Well, well… look who came to beg for leftovers,” Stefan said. “You again, dog?” Asher whispered, “Ignore him.” But Stefan wasn’t done. He faced the valet. “Make sure security searches this one. He might steal plates or roll the silverware into his pockets.” His friends laughed. “This stray dog belongs in jail,” Stefan continued loudly. “I’m shocked he’s outside. I wonder how he even managed to pay the 10,000 dollar bail. Maybe he stole it?” The valet nodded quickly, eager to please. “Yes, sir.” Stefan stepped closer, eyes narrowed. “You know what… actually security!” Two guards appeared from the side entrance, tall and expressionless. Stefan pointed at Declan. “Search this thief. I remember my two thousand dollars went missing during today’s exams. So check him properly.” Asher cursed under his breath. Ashton stepped forward angrily. Declan just stood there… silent. But his hands curled into fists at his side. Here is the continuation and same tone, simple but emotional language, lots of dialogue and humiliation. Ends exactly where you instructed it to. The two security guards walked straight toward them, heavy boots echoing against the marble floor. They didn’t even ask questions. They just reached for Declan, Asher, and Ashton like they were criminals. “Hands where we can see them,” one guard ordered. Asher jerked his arm away. “Hey! We didn’t do anything!” Ashton stepped in front of Declan. “Back off. What the hell?!” But the guards didn’t care. They grabbed at their pockets and backpacks, patting them down roughly. People nearby stopped eating and stared. Some whispered. Others took out their phones. Declan just stood still, refusing to give Stefan the satisfaction of seeing him panic. The guard reached into Declan’s back pocket and froze. He slowly pulled out a small, sleek black card. matte, heavy, elegant. Nothing like a normal bank card. It gleamed under the chandelier light. Everyone recognized that design. It was a no-limit executive card only granted to international elites ,royalty, billionaires, and heads of state. The valet’s face went pale. The guard’s hands trembled slightly. He stared between the card and Declan. “This… sir…” His voice became respectful. “This card is… authentic.” The valet swallowed loudly. “Authentic? how can you be sure?” “It has unique raised mark coding,” the guard replied firmly. “Only original cards have this security texture. It’s… real.” A wave of whispers rippled across the lobby. Stefan stiffened, his smirk slipping. Then he scoffed loudly. “Fake,” he barked. “It’s fake. He probably printed it online or stole it.” The valet looked torn. One guard shook his head. “No… it’s real. I trained at the National Bank briefings. I know this card. It’s…” “It’s mine!” Stefan suddenly shouted, pointing like a maniac. “That’s MY card! He stole it!” The twins gasped. “You’re lying,” Asher snapped. “You think everything belongs to you?” Ashton added. Stefan ignored them, yelling louder. “He stole MY card and came here to spend MY money! Search him properly check his shoes, his underwear, I don’t care! He’s a THIEF!” Declan’s fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white. Humiliation burned his skin. The valet didn’t know what to do. He glanced at Stefan’s designer clothes… then at Declan’s plain shirt and dusty shoes… then back at the card in the guard’s hand. His voice trembled. “Sir… Mr. Sinclair… if the card is yours, then… do you know the cardholder’s full name?” Stefan froze. The guard looked at him, silent, waiting. Stefan’s jaw twitched. “I OF COURSE I KNOW IT!” he barked. Then he hesitated, scrambling. “It’s…” He lifted his chin arrogantly, trying to bluff. “It’s Stefan Sinclair,” he announced confidently. The guard blinked once… then shook his head. “No,” he said flatly. “That is not the name.” Gasps shook the lobby. Asher grinned. “Uh oh…” Ashton snorted. “Liar spotted.” Stefan’s face went red in seconds. “Y-you’re mistaken!” Stefan shouted. “He’s lying! He doesn’t know how to check it.YOU’RE ALL USELESS! That card is mine!” People whispered around them: “Why would HIS name not be on it then?” “Maybe he just hates the poor guy…” “He’s lying…” Stefan turned wild. “He must have forged the name too! Arrest him! Call the police! He shouldn’t be here, he's a stray dog, a useless beggar, a…” The valet flinched, stepping away from Stefan’s spit and rage. He looked at Declan now with shaken respect… but also fear. Because nothing made sense anymore. And Stefan looked like an insane one.
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Chapter 44
CHAPTER FORTY FOURDeclan left the palace like a ghost with a borrowed body. His ribs hurt each time he breathed. His lip was still split. His cheek still burned from the slaps. He could not even cover it properly because he did not have a clean shirt, and he did not have a jacket. He only had his hands and the shame that followed him like a shadow.Ms. Sonia had said he was not alone. But the street did not feel like that.The street felt like the world had agreed to forget him.He walked out of the palace gate and kept going, because staying inside meant being watched, and being watched meant being used. His feet dragged, and the soles of his shoes felt thin like paper. He kept thinking about the ring. About how empty his finger felt. Like a piece of him had been torn off, not the jewelry, but the last proof that he mattered to someone.He stopped at the first shop, a small supermarket with a bright sign and a tired cashier. He walked in and forced his voice to sound normal.“Please
Chapter 43
CHAPTER FORTY THREEDeclan did not know how long he stood in that corridor, staring at the empty space on his finger where the ring used to sit. The air felt cold against his swollen cheek, and his throat tasted like iron. He kept replaying Stefan’s whisper in his head, the way it sounded less like advice and more like ownership.Then he felt it.A presence.He turned slightly, and Ms. Sonia was there.Not walking. Not approaching with calm steps. Standing close enough that he could smell her perfume under the palace air. Her eyes were sharp again, but the tightness in her face gave her away. She had seen it. She had heard enough.Declan tried to straighten, but pain pulled him back down. His knees wanted to fold. His pride wanted to fight her help, but his body was too broken for pride.Ms. Sonia grabbed his arm. “Move,” she said quietly.Declan blinked at her. “Where,” he asked.“To the only place that matters right now,” Ms. Sonia said. “Before Jacob decides to make another example
Chapter 42
CHAPTER FORTY TWOThe grand hall was bright and cold, like it was built to crush people. Declan stood between two guards with his arms pinned, his ribs screaming each time he breathed. He could still hear that metallic click behind him, and he knew it was not a mistake. It was a warning.Jacob stepped closer, calm and proud, holding the royal stick like it belonged to him. “Remove the ring,” Jacob said. “Do it now.”Declan looked down at the emerald and rubbed it with his thumb. “No,” Declan said quietly. “Not that.”A murmur moved through the hall. Uncle Markus smiled like he had been waiting for the word. “He still thinks he is somebody,” Uncle Markus said.Jacob’s eyes sharpened. “You are nobody,” Jacob said to Declan. “You are a guest here. A thief in royal clothes.”“I did not steal anything,” Declan said.The royal grandmaster stared at him without warmth. “Obey,” the royal grandmaster said. “That is all you are required to do.”Declan lifted his head. “I already gave the card a
Chapter 41
CHAPTER FORTY ONEDeclan did not remember how he got to the clinic.He only remembered the old security guard’s hands holding him steady, firm but gentle, like he had done this before. Declan’s nose would not stop bleeding, and every breath felt like it scraped his ribs. His shirt was soaked in sweat and blood, and the ring on his finger felt like the only solid thing left in his life.“Stay awake,” the old man kept saying. “Just stay awake.”Declan tried.But the moment the nurse pressed cotton under his nose and asked his name, Declan’s throat locked up. Not because he forgot his name. Because the name no longer sounded like protection.The nurse glanced at his swollen face. “Who did this to you,” she asked.Declan stared at the white tiles. He wanted to say Stefan. He wanted to scream it.But he saw it clearly now. Stefan was not alone anymore. Stefan never acted alone when he could borrow power.“I fell,” Declan lied.The nurse did not believe him, but she did not argue. She clean
Chapter 40
CHAPTER FORTYDeclan waited behind the anatomy lab after the last students left. The campus lights were bright and cold, throwing shadows across the walkway. The note in his pocket felt heavy. Tonight. Behind the anatomy lab. Come alone. He should not have come, but he was here anyway, standing in the dark, listening.He touched the emerald ring on his finger and tried to steady his breathing. His ribs ached, his jaw hurt, and his pride felt bruised deeper than his skin.Footsteps came from the far end of the corridor. More than one set. Three figures walked into the light, and the first one smiled.It was Stefan.Stefan looked clean and confident, dressed like he owned the night. Two men followed behind him, thick and silent. Stefan stopped a few feet away and laughed.“Oh, Declan,” Stefan said. “You came.”“Why are you here,” Declan asked.Stefan spread his hands. “Because you thought we would rot in prison,” Stefan said. “You thought you could ruin me with one party stunt and some
Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY Nine The palace did not sleep, but the stables did. The air was cold and damp, and the smell of hay sat heavy in Declan’s nose. His body ached in a way he had never felt before. Every breath pulled pain from his ribs. Even his eyelids felt heavy, like they had been bruised too.He must have dozed off at some point, because the next thing he heard was a rough voice and the sharp scrape of a shovel on wood.“Stand up,” a man said.Declan opened his eyes slowly. A worker stood over him with a shovel in his hand, his face hard and tired. The worker did not look like someone who cared about royal drama. He looked like someone who had been surviving here for years.Declan tried to sit up, his bones screaming. “What time is it,” Declan asked.“Time to work,” the worker replied.Declan swallowed and pushed himself up. His shirt was stuck to his skin from dried blood and sweat. His mouth tasted bitter. He touched his ring without thinking, as if he needed to confirm it was stil
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