THE SILENT INHERITANCE

Chapter 6

Noah sat in the passenger seat of Mrs. Lilly’s sleek blue Rolls-Royce, the cool leather pressing against his wrinkled clothes. His amber eyes gazed out the window, heavy with sorrow, as Verrath City’s streets rushed by in a blur of neon signs, bustling crowds, and gray buildings shrouded in morning fog.

The past few days weighed on him: Elara’s betrayal, Madam Celeste’s deceit, the cold jail cell. His cheek still burned from her slaps, his heart stung from being branded a thief.

Mrs. Lilly glanced at him, her blue eyes gentle yet probing.

“You holding up, Noah?” she asked, her voice soft, cutting through the car’s low hum.

He turned slowly, his face pale, and managed a faint smile that didn’t touch his eyes.

“Yeah,” he murmured, voice barely above a whisper. He nodded once and returned to staring out the window, fingers tracing the seat’s edge.

Mrs. Lilly frowned, hands steady on the wheel.

“How about some food? You must be starving.”

Noah hesitated, his stomach quietly rumbling. He nodded again, too drained to protest.

“Sure,” he mumbled.

Her face brightened. “I know the perfect spot,” she said warmly, steering the car down a grand boulevard lined with upscale shops and towering buildings.

They pulled into the parking lot of *Le Grand Luxe*, Verrath City’s finest restaurant, its glass exterior glowing under golden lights, valets in sharp uniforms at the entrance. Noah’s eyes widened, his jaw dropping.

“Here?” he said, voice thick with disbelief. “This is the priciest place in the city! I can’t go in like this!” He gestured to his crumpled college uniform, dirtied from jail and garden work, his sneakers scuffed and worn.

Mrs. Lilly laughed lightly. “Don’t worry. The owner’s a friend. You’re fine.” She stepped out, her simple dress somehow perfect for the setting, and beckoned him. “Come on, Noah.”

He hesitated, then gave a small smile, his heart lifting slightly. “Alright,” he said, slinging his backpack over one shoulder and following her inside.

The restaurant was a vision of luxury—marble floors, crystal chandeliers, tables draped in white linens with gleaming silverware. The air carried scents of fresh herbs and roasted meat.

A waiter guided them to a corner table, soon setting plates of steaming pasta and grilled chicken before them. Noah ate eagerly, the warm food a stark contrast to the jail’s cold meals.

Mrs. Lilly watched, smiling softly. “Good, right?” she asked, sipping her water.

Noah nodded, a real smile breaking through. “Yeah, it’s amazing. Thanks.”

“No problem,” she said, eyes twinkling. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Noah paused, fork hovering over his plate, a piece of pasta dangling. His brow furrowed, and he set it down, voice cautious. “Who are you, exactly?”

Mrs. Lilly chuckled, leaning back. “My manners! I’m Mrs. Lilly, former assistant to Verrath City’s late Air Force Commander.”

Noah’s eyes widened, breath catching. “Wait, what?” he said, voice rising. “I’m so sorry for being rude at the gala. I was… a mess.”

She waved it off, chuckling warmly. “It’s fine, Noah. You weren’t in a talking mood. I get it.”

“Thanks,” he said, shoulders easing. He sipped his water, the glass cool in his hand.

Mrs. Lilly leaned forward, curious. “Do you know who the late Commander was?”

Noah set his glass down, wiping his mouth. “Yeah, they taught us in school. The world’s richest man, right? Commander A.V.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, a glint of curiosity. “That’s all you know?”

He shrugged. “Pretty much.”

Her voice softened, but her words struck like lightning. “Commander A.V. was his code name. His real name was Commander Alaric Varyn. Your father.”

Noah froze, fork halfway to his mouth, pasta sliding back to the plate. His heart pounded, eyes wide. He let out a nervous laugh, shaking his head. “You’re kidding, right? Trying to mess with me.”

Mrs. Lilly’s face was serious. “I’m not kidding, Noah. Keep your voice down.” She pulled a faded photo from her purse and slid it across the table.

Noah’s laughter faded as he stared at the image—a young boy, maybe six, grinning beside a tall man in an Air Force uniform, standing before a jet. Memories flooded back: jet fuel’s sharp scent, his father’s warm hand on his head, the sun’s glare before Alaric’s final flight. Noah’s fingers trembled as he held the photo, tears welling.

“This… was before he left,” he whispered, voice breaking. “At the airbase. He said he’d come back.”

Mrs. Lilly nodded. “That’s you and your father, before his last mission.”

Tears spilled down Noah’s cheeks, his chest tight as he gripped the photo. His phone buzzed, breaking the moment. Wiping his eyes, he saw Cole George’s name on the screen and answered, voice shaky. “Hey, Cole.”

“Noah, where are you, man?” Cole sounded frantic. “I went to the station—they said you were bailed out!”

“Yeah, I’m out,” Noah said, glancing at Mrs. Lilly, who subtly shook her head, signaling not to mention her tie to his father. “A friend of my mom’s bailed me out.”

“Oh, cool,” Cole said, relieved. “Where you at now?”

“Meet me at the school gate,” Noah replied, voice steadier. “I’ll crash at your place for a bit.”

“Sweet!” Cole said, excited. “See you soon, bro.”

“Yeah, see you,” Noah said, a small smile forming as he hung up.

Mrs. Lilly finished her drink and stood. “I’ll drop you off. Let’s go.”

“Thanks,” Noah said, pocketing his phone. He paused, holding the photo. “Can I keep this?”

She smiled. “It’s yours, Noah.”

He nodded, grateful, and they left the restaurant, the warm air giving way to a cool breeze. Mrs. Lilly’s heels clicked as they reached the Rolls-Royce, its blue paint shining under streetlights.

Noah slid into the front seat, the photo safe in his pocket. The car roared through Verrath City, lights streaking past as Noah’s mind raced with thoughts of his father.

They reached the college gate, and Noah stepped out, the door closing softly. Mrs. Lilly rolled down her window, handing him a card with her number. “Call me if you need anything or want to talk about your father,” she said, her tone kind but firm.

Noah nodded, pocketing the card. “I will. Thanks.”

The Rolls-Royce drove off, taillights fading into the night.

Cole jogged up, eyes bright. “That your mom’s friend who bailed you?” he asked, nodding toward the car.

“Yeah,” Noah said quietly.

“Cool. Oh, about your last test,” Cole grinned. “The headmaster needed someone to help you make it up. I volunteered, but that shy girl in our class beat me to it.”

Noah frowned. “Dahlia Dwayne?”

“Yup,” Cole smirked. “Think she’s got a crush on you.”

Noah laughed, a genuine sound. “Nah, you’re making that up.”

Cole shrugged, grinning wider. “Heard it from a little bird.”

Noah laughed harder, shaking his head. “You’re too much, man.”

A sharp scream pierced the air, desperate and chilling. “Help! Someone, please!”

Noah’s head whipped toward the sound, coming from a nearby alley. His heart raced, and he sprinted toward it, sneakers slamming the pavement.

“Noah, hold up!” Cole yelled, racing after him.

The alley was dim, lit only by a flickering streetlamp. A girl was pinned against a wall, her black eyes wide with terror, hands shaking. A man towered over her, his face shadowed, a cruel smirk on his lips.

“Shut it, kid,” he growled. “This won’t take long.”

“Please, let me go!” she sobbed, voice breaking. “Someone, help!”