THE HEIR'S REVENGE

chapter 8

Ethan POV

The next morning, I woke up to my phone buzzing with notifications. Someone had posted videos of last night's incident at Hayes Bistro.

The Pierce family being thrown out. The manager being fired. Me, sitting calmly while it all happened.

"Young Master Blackwell ends Pierce family's dining privileges" read one headline.

"Mystery heir humiliates former family" read another.

My phone rang. Henry.

"Good morning, young master," he said. "I hope you're prepared for some attention today. The videos from last night have gone quite viral."

I groaned. "How bad?"

"Three million views and counting. The media is very interested in the mysterious Blackwell heir who's been hidden from the public."

Great. So much for keeping a low profile.

"Should I not go to class today?" I asked.

"That's up to you, young master. But hiding won't make the attention go away. You might as well face it head-on."

He was right. I couldn't hide forever.

I got dressed, said goodbye to Lily, and headed to campus. This time, I let the driver take me all the way to the main entrance.

No point in hiding anymore.

The moment I stepped out of the luxury car, every head turned. Whispers erupted immediately.

"That's him."

"The Blackwell heir."

"I can't believe he's been going to school here this whole time."

I walked through the main building with my head high. People stared, but I kept moving.

When I entered my classroom, the whispers got louder.

My usual seat in the back was empty, as always. But now, several people tried to sit near me.

"Is anyone sitting here?" a girl asked, gesturing to the seat next to mine.

"No, but I'd prefer to sit alone," I said politely.

She nodded and backed away quickly.

Throughout the class, I could feel eyes on me. Some curious. Some envious. Some calculating.

This was going to take some getting used to.

At lunch, I headed to the cafeteria. My four friends waved me over to their usual table.

"The man of the hour!" David said with a grin. "How does it feel to be famous?"

"Annoying," I admitted, sitting down.

"You'll get used to it," Alex said. "Or not. Either way, we've got your back."

"Thanks," I said, meaning it.

As we ate, I noticed Emma watching me from across the cafeteria. She looked like she wanted to approach but didn't dare.

Good. She'd made her choice.

After lunch, I was walking to my next class when someone called my name.

"Ethan! Wait!"

I turned to see Sophia running toward me. Her eyes were red, like she'd been crying.

"What do you want?" I asked coldly.

"Please," she said, her voice breaking. "Please help us. Dad's business is failing. We're going to lose everything."

I raised an eyebrow. "And why would I care?"

"Because we're family!" she pleaded. "I know we treated you badly, but—"

"But nothing," I interrupted. "You treated me like garbage my entire life. You made videos mocking me for your followers. Why would I help you now?"

Tears streamed down her face. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Please, just... please help us."

I looked at her. Part of me felt a tiny bit of sympathy. But a bigger part remembered every cruel word, every mocking laugh, every time she'd made my life hell.

"No," I said simply.

"What?" She looked shocked, like she couldn't believe I'd refuse.

"I said no. You made your choices, Sophia. Now live with them."

I turned and walked away, leaving her crying in the hallway.

Was I being cruel? Maybe. But I wasn't the same person I was a week ago.

I wasn't going to let them use me anymore.

That evening, I returned home to find Henry waiting for me with a serious expression.

"Young master, we need to discuss something important."

"What is it?"

"The board of directors has requested a meeting with you. They want to officially introduce you as the new head of the Blackwell Corporation."

My stomach dropped. "When?"

"Tomorrow morning. 10 AM."

I took a deep breath. This was it. My first real step into my grandfather's world.

"Okay," I said. "I'll be there."

Henry smiled. "I'll prepare everything. Don't worry, young master. You'll do fine."

I wished I had his confidence.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about the meeting. What if I messed up? What if they didn't respect me?

What if I wasn't good enough?

Around midnight, I heard a soft knock on my door. I opened it to find Lily standing there, clutching her rabbit doll.

"Can't sleep?" I asked.

She shook her head.

I picked her up and carried her to my bed. She curled up next to me, and within minutes, she was asleep.

I looked down at her peaceful face. This little girl depended on me now. I couldn't let her down.

I couldn't let my mom's memory down.

And I couldn't let myself down.

Tomorrow, I would step into my grandfather's shoes. I would become the head of the Blackwell family.

And I would prove to everyone—including myself—that I deserved to be there.