THE SILENT INHERITANCE

Chapter 8

Noah was jolted awake by the pulsating rhythm of loud music vibrating through the walls. Groaning, he sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes and running a hand through his tousled dark hair. The upbeat party music shook the floor beneath him.

“What’s that noise?” he muttered, sliding out of bed.

He stretched, grabbed a borrowed t-shirt and jeans from a chair, and slipped them on, the soft fabric brushing against his skin. After lacing up his sneakers by the door, he followed the growing volume of the music downstairs, his hand gliding along the wooden banister.

At the bottom, Noah’s eyes widened. The living room buzzed with energy—Cole and his dad, Mr. George, were in the middle of a dance lesson. A speaker on the coffee table blasted the music as Mr. George moved with smooth confidence, his graying hair bouncing with each spin. Cole, stumbling through the steps, laughed at his own clumsiness.

Catching sight of Noah, Cole’s blue eyes lit up. “Yo, bro! Come dance with us!” he called, waving him over. “Dad’s teaching me prom moves!”

Noah leaned against the doorframe, smirking. “Pass. I’ll survive without the lesson,” he said lightly.

Mr. George, sweating slightly, grinned. “You sure, Noah? Could help with your prom date.”

Noah shook his head, smiling. “I’m good, thanks.”

Mr. George paused the music, the room going quiet. “Alright, Cole, you’re prom-ready,” he said, chuckling. Cole fist-pumped with a loud “Yeah!” as his dad ruffled his hair. “Go clean up for dinner.”

Cole bounced upstairs, still humming the music. Mr. George turned to Noah, his tone warm. “Come on, kid. Food’s ready.”

In the dining room, the aroma of roasted chicken and vegetables made Noah’s stomach rumble. He sat on the left side of the table as Mr. George served him a hearty plate. “Used to burn everything I cooked,” Mr. George said with a laugh. “Cole’s mom taught me how to get it right.”

“Thanks,” Noah said, digging into the tender, flavorful chicken. “This is awesome.”

Mr. George sat across from him, his expression softening. “Noah, I know it’s been rough since you lost your mom and sister. If you ever need to talk, we’re here for you.”

Noah gave a small smile. “Thanks, Mr. George. I appreciate it.”

Cole bounded back downstairs, hair damp from a shower. “I’m starving!” he announced, sliding into a chair. Mr. George served him, but Noah stood, finished with his meal.

“I’ve gotta go see someone,” Noah said. “I’ll be back soon.”

Cole, mouth full, mumbled, “I’ll come with!”

“Nah, I need to do this alone,” Noah replied, offering a smile. Cole nodded, a bit bummed. “Okay, cool.”

Outside, Noah hailed a cab, the morning air crisp against his face. “Adrian mansion,” he told the driver. The cab wove through Verrath City’s bustling streets as Noah’s thoughts churned—his uncle, the humiliation, the truth about his father.

At the grand Adrian mansion, Noah stepped out, gravel crunching underfoot. Madam Celeste was escorting Lady Gaga to her car, both women turning as he approached. Celeste’s blue eyes narrowed, her voice venomous. “Look, the little thief’s back.”

Lady Gaga smirked. “Didn’t expect you so soon, rat.”

Noah’s jaw clenched, but he walked past, ignoring their taunts. Inside, the scent of coffee filled the air. Miss Valerie, pouring tea for Noah’s uncle, Adrian Varyn, spotted him. “Noah! You okay? Hungry?”

“I’m fine, Miss Val,” Noah said, his tired eyes meeting hers. He stepped toward Adrian, who sat reading a newspaper, looking bored. “Uncle, we need to talk.”

Adrian didn’t look up. “What now? Make it quick.”

Noah’s voice shook with a mix of anger and pain. “It’s your wife. She humiliates me daily—name-calling, slapping, making me do servant work. She even framed me for stealing her necklace and got me arrested. I’m done.”

Adrian flipped a page, unfazed. “And what do you want me to do about it?”

Noah’s heart sank, stunned. “What do you mean?” he whispered.

Madam Celeste strode in, heels clicking, and sat beside Adrian, smirking. Adrian glanced at Noah. “Well? What do you want?”

Noah’s fists tightened, his voice breaking. “I want out. I’m leaving this mansion for good.”

Adrian’s eyes widened, and Celeste’s jaw dropped. From the kitchen door, Miss Valerie gasped, hand over her mouth, disbelief etched across her face.