The Heir They Underestimated

CHAPTER 3

Alex woke to his phone vibrating on the nightstand.

7:23 AM.

He reached for it, eyes still heavy. It was message from an unknown number.

He opened it and saw digital invitation loaded on the screen. Gold borders. Elegant script. A photo of Melissa and Derek, both smiling like they'd won the lottery.

"You're Invited to Celebrate the Engagement of Melissa Hart & Derek Morrison."

Saturday, December 14th, 2025.

7:00 PM.

The Grand Meridian Hotel - Imperial Ballroom.

Black Tie Required.

Below the invitation, a message:

"Thought you'd want to see what you missed out on. No hard feelings, right? - Brittany."

Brittany was one of Melissa's friends. One of those crazy girls who'd been filming at the restaurant.

Alex stared at the screen.

The Grand Meridian. The most exclusive hotel in the city. Five-star. The kind of place that required a background check just to book a room.

His phone buzzed again. Another message from Brittany.

"Derek's paying for everything btw. Open bar, live band, the works. Must be nice dating someone who can actually afford things."

Then another.

"Oh wait, you're probably busy that night. Delivering food or something? Oh right... you got FIRED."

Alex set the phone down, his expression showing he was kind of heartbroken. But what else could he do? Everything happened for a reason and Melissa could never be his.

All he knew now was he had to be strong and ready for anymore humiliation that was yet to come his way.

The door to Jake's room opened. His roommate shuffled out, still half-asleep.

"Morning," Jake mumbled. Then he noticed Alex's expression. "What happened?"

Alex handed him the phone.

Jake read the messages. His face darkened. "You've got to be kidding me."

"They invited me to the engagement party."

"This isn't an invitation. It's a..." Jake scrolled through the messages. "It's a setup. They want you there so they can humiliate you again. In front of everyone."

"I know."

"So you're not going."

Alex didn't answer.

Jake set the phone down. "Alex. Tell me you're not actually considering this."

"The Grand Meridian," Alex said quietly. "That's where it is."

"So what? It's a fancy hotel. Who cares?"

Alex walked to the window. The morning sun cut through the gaps between buildings.

The city was waking up. People heading to jobs. To lives that made sense.

"You're not seriously thinking about going," Jake said. "Dude, they're baiting you. Melissa, Derek, all of them. They want you to show up so they can laugh at you some more. Film it. Put it online."

"Maybe."

"Not maybe. Definitely." Jake moved in front of him. "Look at me. You're about to be homeless. We have twenty-four hours to pack up everything and get out. And you're thinking about going to some rich people's party where everyone will treat you like garbage?"

Alex said nothing.

Jake sighed. "What are you going to do? Show up in your delivery clothes? You don't even own a suit, man. Black tie means tuxedo. Do you know how much those cost?"

"I know."

"Then why are you even thinking about this?"

Alex turned from the window. His expression was unreadable. "Because they want me to hide."

"What?"

"They want me to disappear. To crawl into a hole and pretend I don't exist. That's what people like Derek and Melissa do. They step on you, then expect you to thank them for it."

Jake shook his head. "This isn't about pride, Alex. This is about survival. We need to find a place to live. You need to find a job. Going to that party does nothing except give them another chance to destroy you."

"Maybe I'm tired of running."

"Running?" Jake's voice rose. "You're not running. You're being smart. There's a difference."

Alex's phone buzzed again. More messages from Brittany.

"Still no response? Guess you realized you don't belong."

"Derek said if you DO show up, security will probably kick you out anyway. Dress code violation lol."

"But seriously, save yourself the embarrassment. Nobody wants to see you there."

Jake glanced at the screen. "She's really enjoying this."

"Let her."

"Alex, listen to me." Jake's voice softened. "I know you're angry. I know you want to prove something. But these people? They don't care. They'll chew you up and spit you out, and they'll sleep just fine afterward. Don't give them the satisfaction."

Alex picked up his phone and stared at the invitation. The Grand Meridian. Imperial Ballroom.

His jaw clenched.

"I hear you," he said quietly.

Jake looked relieved. "Good. So we're on the same page. We focus on packing, finding a new place, getting you back on your feet."

"Yeah."

"Okay. Good." Jake headed toward his room. "I've got a shift now but I'll help you pack when I get back.

.

***

Alex spent the afternoon packing in silence. His whole life fit into three cardboard boxes and a duffel bag.

Around five, his phone buzzed. Another message from Brittany.

"Final reminder! Party's tomorrow night. If you're brave enough to show."

"Melissa can't wait to introduce Derek to everyone. A REAL man who knows how to treat a woman right."

"Unlike certain delivery boys we know."

Alex read those hurtful messages but his expression didn't change.

He set the phone down and walked to his bedroom. To the closet. To the small drawer hidden behind old shoes and forgotten jackets.

He pulled it open.

Inside was a single business card. Heavy cardstock. Gold embossed lettering that caught even the dim light.

CHEN GLOBAL HOLDINGS...

Richard Chen, Chairman.

Private Line: [number]

Alex picked it up, turned it over in his fingers and stared at the words written at the back.

"CALL ME WHEN YOU'RE READY TO COME BACK HOME."