THE REJECTED GENIUS

6

Chapter 6: A Seat at the Table

The next morning, I arrived at The Monarch Hotel—one of the most expensive hotels in the city. The kind of place where deals worth millions were made over breakfast.

Leonard Whitmore had set up a private meeting with a group of influential investors—men and women who shaped industries, controlled markets, and, most importantly, dictated who they gave chances to.

I wasn’t just here to flaunt my wealth.

I was here to prove I belonged.

The restaurant’s private lounge was luxurious—high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and an air of exclusivity that made ordinary people feel out of place. I looked around as my foot clinked against the marble floors.

But I wasn’t ordinary anymore.

Leonard was already seated when I arrived, speaking with three older men and a woman dressed in a power suit.

When he saw me, he stood up immediately walking to meet me halfway across the room. “Ah, gentlemen, allow me to introduce the young man I mentioned—Adrian Hayes.”

Their gazes swept over me, measuring, calculating.

I met each of them head-on with confidence before I took my seat.

The meeting started immediately.

They spoke about investment opportunities, business trends, and power plays within the corporate world.

I listened. My eyes darting back and forth

But it wasn’t long before one of them tested me.

“So, Adrian,” one of the men—Douglas Harrington—leaned back in his chair. “I hear you’re a student at Northvale University?”

I nodded. “That’s right.”

His lips curved slightly. “A scholarship student, wasn’t it?”

I didn’t flinch. “I was.”

Douglas exchanged glances with the others. “And now you suddenly have the means to sit at this table.”

Ah. There it was.

The unspoken challenge.

I smiled. “Does my past concern you, Mr. Harrington?”

He chuckled. “Not at all. I’m simply… curious.”

Leonard intervened smoothly. “Adrian has recently taken control of a significant inheritance. He’s interested in expanding his influence, and I believe he has the vision to do so.”

The woman, Eleanor Price, raised an eyebrow. “Vision is good. But power? That’s earned.”

I met her gaze. “Then let me prove I can earn it.”

The table went silent for a moment.

Then, Douglas smirked. “Interesting.”

By the time I left The Monarch, I knew I had made an impression.

Not acceptance. Not yet. But they saw potential and that was enough for me.

I returned to Northvale with a purpose. It was time to shake things up.

First, I needed information. Not just about Nathan Sterling—but about the people around him. His allies. His weaknesses

The moment I stepped out of The Monarch Hotel, I knew I had set something in motion—something bigger than just revenge.

I had a seat at the table, but I still had to prove I belonged.

That meant one thing: Nathan Sterling needed to fall.

But taking him down wouldn’t be easy. He was too careful, too protected. I needed leverage. A weakness.

And the best way to find one? Through someone close to him.

Back at Northvale University, I spent the next few days watching Nathan.

He had power, influence, and money. But what stood out most was how obsessed he was with control.

And there was one person who challenged that control.

Sophia Langley.

She also has the same first name as Langley. She was stunning—the kind of beauty that turned heads the moment she walked into a room. Long, wavy dark hair, piercing green eyes, and a confidence that rivaled even Nathan's.

More importantly?

She used to be Nathan's girl.

And now?

She hated him.

I watched from a distance as Sophia walked across campus, her designer heels clicking against the pavement.

She was a legacy student—born into wealth, accustomed to luxury. Someone like me, or at least who I used to be, wouldn’t even be a blip on her radar.

But today, I wasn’t just Adrain Hayes, the scholarship nobody.

I was the heir to an empire. I caught up to her near the east garden.

“Tessa Davenport,” I said, walking to step beside her. She barely looked at me. “Do I know you?”

“Not yet,” I smirked. “But we should change that.”She arched an eyebrow, slowing down. “And why’s that?”I met her gaze. “Because we have something in common.”

She gave me a bored look. “Oh, really?”

I leaned in slightly. “We both want to see Nathan Sterling lose.”

That got her attention. She stopped walking, turning to face me fully.

“What exactly are you suggesting?”

I smiled. “A partnership.”

She laughed—a sharp, amused sound. “You think I need your help to get back at Nathan? The last time I remember, you were licking his feet. People like you should forget about taking revenge on people like him. Nathan is off-limits for you.*

I shrugged. “I think we can help each other.”

She folded her arms. “And what do you get out of this?”

“Information,” I said smoothly. “I need to know his weaknesses, his fears. The things that make him tick. We could take him down with that.”

Tessa tilted her head, studying me.

Then, she smirked. “And what do I get?”

I took a step closer. “I’ll make sure Nathan knows exactly what he lost.”

Her eyes flashed with interest. But then, just as quickly, she scoffed. “Cute. But there’s one problem.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And what’s that?” She gave me a pointed look. “You don’t have the status to pull it off.”

Ah.

So that was the issue. Tessa Davenport was used to power. She wasn’t going to align herself with someone she thought was beneath her.

Perfect.

Because I was about to change that perception right now.

I pulled out my phone, tapped a few buttons, and turned the screen toward her.

Her eyes widened.

$50 million.

Sitting comfortably in my account. Her lips parted slightly before she quickly masked her surprise.

I smirked. “Still think I don’t have the status?”

She stared at the screen for a long moment, then at me.

Then, slowly, she smiled.

“Alright, Adrian Hayes,” she said. “You’ve got my attention.”