The Heir They Underestimated

CHAPTER 4

The Grand Meridian rose forty stories into the night sky. Glass and steel. Money. Power.

Alex stood across the street, hands in pockets, watching luxury cars pull up. Ferraris. Lamborghinis. A Rolls-Royce. Women in designer dresses stepped out, diamonds glittering.

This was Melissa's world now. Derek's world.

Alex looked down at himself. Dark slacks. White button-down he'd ironed three times. A black blazer Jake had lent him—slightly too big in the shoulders.

Not a tuxedo. But it would have to do.

He crossed the street.

Two security guards flanked the ballroom door. Alex approached.

The first guard held up a hand. "Name?"

"Alex Chen."

The guard checked his tablet. "You're not on the list."

"I have an invitation." Alex showed his phone.

The guard's lip curled. "Sir, you need to leave."

Then a voice cut through the air.

"Oh my god. What is HE doing here?"

Alex turned.

Melissa stood in the ballroom entrance, champagne glass in hand. She wore a silver dress that made her look like a goddess.

"Melissa." Alex kept his voice steady. "Congratulations."

"Are you serious? You actually came?"

"I was invited."

"By who?"

"Your bestie."

Melissa pulled out her phone. Typed fast.

A moment later, laughter erupted inside.

Brittany appeared, phone in hand, grinning. "Oh my god, he actually showed up!"

Other guests gathered. Phones came out.

"This is priceless." Brittany circled Alex like a predator. "Melissa, your ex came to your engagement party. In... what even is that?" She touched his borrowed jacket. "Is this from Goodwill?"

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

"And those shoes. Are those your work shoes? The ones you wore delivering our Chinese food?"

"They are!" someone shouted. "I remember them!"

More laughter.

Alex stood there, face neutral, hands at his sides.

A man pushed through the crowd. Tall. Expensive suit. Designer watch.

Derek Morrison.

"Well, well." Derek's smile was cold. "The delivery boy."

"Derek," Alex said quietly.

"I heard you might show up. But I didn't believe it." Derek gestured around. "The Grand Meridian. Black tie. And you thought you belonged here?"

He turned to the crowd. "This is Alex, everyone. Melissa's ex. He used to deliver food on a little scooter. Tell them what you made, Alex. Two hundred a week? Three?"

Alex didn't answer.

"Come on. Don't be shy." Derek moved closer. "You're among friends."

Derek's friends appeared. All in expensive tuxedos. One pulled out his phone and started recording.

"Say hi to the internet, delivery boy."

Brittany stepped forward. "Quick question. When you dated Melissa, did you ever take her anywhere nice? Or was it all five dollar meals?"

Melissa's face flushed. "Brittany—"

"No, seriously! Did he ever take you to a real restaurant?"

Derek put his arm around Melissa. "You know what the saddest part is? You actually thought you had a chance. You thought Melissa would stay with someone like you."

He pulled Melissa closer.

"Someone who lives in a roach-infested apartment. Someone who smells like gasoline. Someone who will never be anything more than a delivery boy."

The crowd went silent. Watching.

"You're pathetic," Derek continued. "You're a stain. And you don't even see it."

Alex's jaw clenched once. Barely visible.

Melissa looked away.

"Should we call security?" Brittany asked.

Derek held up a hand. "No. Let him in."

The crowd went quiet.

"What?" Melissa stared at him.

"Let him in." Derek turned to the guards. "This man is MY guest."

The guards stepped aside.

Derek's smile widened. "I want everyone to see the pathetic ex. I want them to see what Melissa escaped from."

He gestured toward the ballroom. "Come on, delivery boy. Join the party. Let's show everyone what failure looks like."

Alex walked forward. The crowd parted. Whispers followed him.

The Imperial ballroom was massive. Crystal chandeliers. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Tables with white roses and gold accents. A live band in the corner.

Everything screamed wealth.

Alex stood in the center, surrounded by people in tuxedos and designer gowns. He looked like a stain on a white shirt.

Derek followed, arm around Melissa's waist. "Everyone! Can I have your attention?"

The music stopped. Every eye turned.

"I want to thank you all for coming tonight. But I also want to acknowledge a special guest. Melissa's ex-boyfriend. Alex the delivery guy."

The crowd chuckled.

"He used to date Melissa. Back when she had lower standards. Much lower. He was a delivery driver. Rode a little scooter. Brought people their food."

"Did he ever deliver to you?" someone asked.

"Yes! He brought my lunch once. I tipped him five dollars."

More laughter.

"But Melissa saw the light," Derek continued. "She realized she deserved better. Someone with ambition. Success. A future."

He raised his champagne glass.

"Alex couldn't afford nice restaurants. I own three. Alex rode a scooter. I have five cars. Alex lived in a two-bedroom with a broken heater—"

"He got evicted!" Brittany called out.

"Right. Evicted." Derek nodded. "Meanwhile, I own two penthouses. A beach house. And a yacht."

He looked at Alex. "But it's not about money. It's about being a man. Taking care of your woman. Something you could never do."

Derek kissed Melissa's cheek. The crowd applauded.

He walked toward Alex, stopping right in front of him.

"You know what's saddest?" Derek's voice dropped. "You thought you had a chance. You thought a woman like Melissa would stay with a loser like you."

He glanced back at the crowd. "Look at him. Standing there. Silent. Like a kicked dog."

The guests laughed.

Derek leaned in close and whispered, "You're nothing. You've always been nothing. And you'll die nothing."

He straightened. Smiled for the crowd. "Thank you for showing up tonight. Thank you for reminding everyone what failure looks like."

The crowd applauded.

Derek turned back. "Since you came, Alex, let me properly introduce my bride-to-be."

Melissa held up her left hand. The ring caught the light.

"Three carats," she announced. "Flawless. Derek picked it out himself."

Women gathered around, admiring the ring.

Derek looked at Alex. "That ring cost more than you'll make in twenty years."

Alex's jaw tightened. Slightly.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"

Still nothing.

"Say something, Alex." Melissa's voice had an edge. "Don't just stand there."

The crowd pressed in, recording videos.

Then the hotel manager appeared in the doorway. Middle-aged. Impeccable suit.

He scanned the room. His eyes found Alex.

The manager straightened and walked directly toward him.

"Excuse me," the manager said quietly. "Mr. Chen?"

The crowd went quiet.

Derek laughed. "Mr. Chen? That's rich—"

"There's a phone call for you, sir." The manager ignored Derek. "The caller said it's urgent."

Alex looked at the manager. Something passed between them.

"A phone call?" Derek's smile had edges. "Who'd be calling him? His mom?"

Brittany giggled. "Maybe Pizza Hut is hiring."

The manager's expression didn't change. "The caller asked for you by name, sir. They said it's regarding a family matter."

Alex's jaw clenched.

"Wait." Derek stepped forward. "How does anyone know he's here?"

The manager looked at Derek. Polite but cold. "I wouldn't know, sir. I'm simply delivering the message."

He turned back to Alex and pulled a sleek black phone from his pocket. Extended it toward Alex.

"They're waiting, sir."

The crowd stared.

Derek's smile faltered.

Melissa's eyes narrowed.

And Alex took the phone.