The Forgotten Heir Of Pendragon

Chapter 3

Adrian’s eyes opened to a golden chandelier. He was on a sofa in the Sterling mansion’s living room. When he tried to sit up, pain flared through his skull and ribs. His fingers found the bandage around his head, and the workshop came flooding back.

“The idiot’s awake,” someone said.

Victor’s younger brother stood nearby, clearly entertained. Lady Eleanor watched with mild interest and no concern.

“Easy,” she said, smiling faintly. “Those men did a thorough job on you.”

Victor spoke from an armchair across the room. “Over here.”

Adrian turned. Most of the family had gathered, waiting. None of them looked worried.

Victor leaned forward. “What were you doing at that workshop? Don’t get the wrong idea—I don’t care if you live or die. I just want to know what mess you’ve dragged yourself into.”

Adrian hesitated. He could tell them Isabella sent him, that two men had been waiting for a document he knew nothing about. But he didn’t know if the truth would protect him or bury him deeper.

He glanced at Isabella. She sat on another sofa, studying her nails, offering nothing.

“Isabella sent me to deliver an envelope,” he said. “Two men were already there. They wanted a document I couldn’t give them. When I didn’t have answers, they beat me.”

Victor’s expression shifted at the word “document.” He traded a quick look with the others before turning back.

“And you expect us to believe you knew nothing?”

“It’s the truth. I didn’t know what was in the envelope or that anyone would be waiting.”

A beat of silence. Then Victor’s brother burst out laughing. The rest of the family followed.

“Hold on,” the brother said between laughs. “You’re saying Isabella sent you?”

Adrian looked down.

Victor tapped his own temple. “Either those men knocked the last bit of sense out of your head, or you’re bold enough to lie to my face in front of my family.”

“I’m not lying.”

“Save it. Nobody cares if you get yourself killed running errands.”

The brother walked past and slapped him hard on the back. Pain shot through Adrian’s body. He clenched his jaw and stayed quiet while they kept laughing. One by one they left the room, still tossing remarks over their shoulders.

When the last of them was gone, Adrian looked at Isabella. She was staring at him with open irritation.

She ordered him to her bedroom. He followed, unsteady on his feet, hoping for some explanation.

Instead she turned on him the moment the door closed.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done? One simple task, and you couldn’t even finish it.”

“I delivered the envelope,” he said. “Those men were already there. They attacked me when I couldn’t give them what they wanted.”

“And what am I supposed to do with that? You came back injured and empty-handed. Useless.”

“I did everything I could.”

“Forget it. You failed. No money. That’s final.”

The last thread of hope snapped. He had taken the beating and the family’s mockery because he believed it would pay for his sister’s treatment. Now she was walking it back.

He sank to his knees.

“Please. The money is for my sister, not me. They’re going to stop her treatment. I’ll do anything else you ask. I won’t come begging again.”

Isabella stared at him, then laughed.

“A grown man on his knees begging for money. Have you no pride left?”

“She’s the only family I have. I can’t abandon her while there’s still a chance.”

“Enough. I’m done listening to this. Get out.”

He stayed where he was. “Just lend me the money. I’ll pay you back when I can.”

She spun around. “With what? You work for my brother for nothing. You can’t even support yourself. How do you plan to repay me?”

He had no answer.

“Shut up,” she said. “Since you’re so desperate, maybe we can make a different arrangement.”

He looked up, wary.

“There’s something I need you to do.”

“Another favor?” He pointed at the bandage. “Look what the last one cost me. I almost died.”

Isabella folded her arms, smiling coldly. “This one’s simple. Get out of my house. Even someone as useless as you should manage that.”

Adrian stared. “What?”

“Find another way to pay the hospital bills and stop bothering me. If you’re still here in five minutes, security will drag you out.”

Six months of unpaid work. The promise that his sister’s bills would be covered. Now they were throwing him out after sending him into an ambush.

“You’re breaking the contract,” he said. “Your brother promised to pay those bills. That’s why I agreed to this marriage.”

“Who cares about your contract?” She waved a hand. “Do whatever you want. It changes nothing.”

She turned toward the door. Something in him finally snapped.

“So that’s how it is?” he called after her. “Treat me however you like, Isabella. One day you’ll regret it.”

She stopped and turned. “Are you threatening me?”

“I’m saying you can’t treat someone like this forever and expect nothing in return.”

Furious, she stepped into the corridor and shouted for security. Two guards appeared within moments.

“Get him out of my house. I don’t want to see his face again unless I say so.”

They grabbed his arms and hauled him through the mansion. Still weak from the beating, he struggled to keep his feet.

“Let go. I can walk.”

They ignored him, dragged him to the gate, and shoved him out. He stumbled but stayed upright. He straightened his clothes and looked back at the place where he’d spent six months swallowing humiliation.

For a second he considered going back to force Victor to honor the agreement. Then he let the idea go. Another fight wouldn’t pay the hospital bills, and time was running out.

His sister still needed treatment.

Adrian checked his phone, put it away, and turned from the mansion. He had almost no money and no clear plan, but he started walking toward the hospital anyway.

He would find a way.