The Rebirth Of The Hidden Heir

Chapter 3

Down in the lobby, Logan stood exactly where they had left him in silence, his expression was unreadable, as he was surrounded by whispers. The guards still hovered nearby, waiting for the final order.

And the secretary, face flushed with shame, hurried toward him.

When the two security guards saw the secretary, they closed in on Logan. Their boots echoed against the polished floor, hands grabbing his arms roughly.

“Alright, let’s move,” one said, tugging him toward the doors. “This lobby isn’t a shelter for the homeless.”

The watching staff exchanged amused looks. Someone chuckled. “Finally. They’re tossing him out.”

“Did he really say he came to see the Vice President?” another whispered. “What a joke.”

Logan didn’t resist. His shoes slid quietly over the marble as they dragged him away. His face was calm, almost detached, but the sting of their words echoed in the lobby.

“Stop!”

The voice cracked like a whip.

All eyes turned. The Vice President’s secretary rushed down the staircase, her heels hammering against the steps. Her face was pale, panic twisting her features. She raised her hand sharply.

“Let him go! Right now!”

The guards froze, startled.

“I said let him go!” she barked again.

Reluctantly, they released Logan. He adjusted his sleeve calmly, brushing off the creases left by their grip. His eyes swept over them coldly.

The secretary approached quickly, her voice trembling. “Sir, I..I deeply apologize. I didn’t recognize you earlier. Please forgive my mistake. Allow me to escort you personally..”

The entire lobby gasped.

“Sir?” someone whispered.

“She’s apologizing?”

“Who the hell is he?”

Logan ignored her apology completely. His voice was calm but carried through the silence.

“Take me to the Vice President.”

The secretary swallowed hard. “Y..yes, sir. This way, please.”

Her heels clicked rapidly as she led him to the private elevators. The guards who had manhandled him looked down, shame creeping across their faces.

Upstairs, the Vice President was already waiting.

The moment Logan stepped into his office, Victor Lane rose to his feet immediately, his voice respectful.

“Chairman. You’re finally here.” He gave a small bow. “Please forgive what happened downstairs. That should never have happened under my watch.”

The secretary, standing stiffly by the door, felt her stomach twist at the word. Chairman? She replayed the scene in the lobby her sneering, her mocking tone. Cold sweat prickled her spine.

Logan moved to the chair opposite the desk and sat, his expression calm.

The Vice President resumed his seat, folding his hands neatly. “It has been two years since your last appearance here. In your absence, I have done my best to manage Bliss Corporation. The board remains stable, revenues have grown steadily, and our manufacturing and oil and gas divisions both saw international expansion.”

Logan inclined his head slightly. “You’ve done well. The numbers show it. Thank you.”

The Vice President allowed himself a faint smile of relief.

The secretary cleared her throat hesitantly. “Sir, the VIP reception.. Miss Isabella Hale and Mr. Damian Rhodes are waiting. They..”

“Leave us.” The Vice President cut her off with a sharp look.

She froze. “Yes, sir.” She backed out quickly, heart pounding.

When the door clicked shut, Logan’s gaze turned back to the Vice President. “Damian Rhodes. The Rhodes family, do we have any contracts with them?”

The Vice President shook his head. “Yes, Chairman. Rhodes Hotels has partnered with Bliss Corporation directly for the past two years. They provide us with hospitality for our foreign guests and our dinner parties or conferences. As for the Hart family.” He gave a small shrug. “They don’t have any ties to us at all. Not yet.”

Logan’s lips curved faintly. “The Hart family, they’re trying to use Rhodes as leverage. Hoping his name will open the doors for them.”

The Vice President nodded. “That seems accurate.”

Logan’s voice hardened. “Then shut the door in their faces. Bliss Corporation does not bend to arrogance, and we certainly don’t beg trash for partnerships. Cancel any talks with Rhodes. Inform them we are not interested in renewing the contracts with them.”

The Vice President didn’t hesitate. “Understood, Chairman.”

Logan leaned back slightly. “Make sure the rejection is loud enough to sting.”

The Vice President picked up his phone, his voice clipped. “Get in here.”

A few moments later, the secretary returned, her face pale.

The Vice President’s tone was icy. “Tell Isabella Hart and Damian Rhodes this: Bliss Corporation will not renew any contracts and we don't wish to collaborate with them in the future. And from this day forward, Bliss Corporation will not engage with either the Hart family or the Rhodes family. Trashy families don’t deserve our time.”

The secretary’s lips parted. “S..sir, those words exactly?”

“Yes.” His eyes narrowed. “Those words exactly.”

She bowed, almost stumbling as she hurried out.

***

Inside the VIP reception, Isabella adjusted her suit jacket and checked her reflection in the glass. Damian sat casually, one leg crossed, sipping sparkling water.

“You’ll deliver, won’t you?” Isabella asked softly, her eyes sharp. “You promised me. With Bliss Corporation behind us, my grandfather will never doubt me again.”

Damian smirked, brushing imaginary lint from his sleeve. “Relax. Bliss knows who I am. The Rhodes name opens doors. We own the largest hotel chain in this city. Do you really think they’ll reject me?”

Isabella’s smile returned. “When the contract is signed, everyone will see I chose the better man. Logan was always a mistake.”

The door opened.

Two security guards stepped in, followed by the secretary.

Isabella’s lips curved upward. “Finally. They’re here to escort us in.” She rose gracefully, smoothing her skirt. “Let’s go, Damian.”

But the secretary didn’t step aside. She stood stiffly, her hands clasped tightly, eyes avoiding theirs.

“Miss Hart. Mr. Rhodes,” she began. Her throat tightened. “On the orders of the Vice President.”

Damian smirked knowingly. “Yes, yes, I’m listening.”

“Bliss Corporation will not be renewing any contracts with either the Rhodes family or entering into any contract with the Hart family.”

Isabella froze. “What?”

Damian blinked, then gave a low laugh. “You’re joking.”

The secretary’s voice trembled, but she forced herself to continue. “The Vice President has declared that Bliss Corporation does not do business with trashy families. Please, leave the premises.”

The silence was suffocating.

Isabella’s face turned crimson, her body shaking. “Trashy? Did you just call u..”

“Those were the Vice President’s exact words,” the secretary said quickly.

Damian shot to his feet, rage flashing in his eyes. “Do you know who you’re insulting? The Rhodes Group owns more hotels than any chain in this city. Our name commands respect. Do you think Bliss Corporation can afford to offend us?”

The guards shifted, hands on their belts.

The secretary swallowed hard. “Those are the orders. If you don’t leave willingly, you’ll be escorted out.”

Isabella’s chest heaved, tears stinging her eyes, fury burning hotter with each second. She had walked in here expecting triumph, expecting to parade her success before Logan’s ghost.

Instead, she got rejected, humiliated and called trash.

Her nails dug into her palms.

Damian clenched his jaw, his pride stinging worse than any slap. The silence in the VIP reception shattered with Isabella’s furious scream.

“This is his fault!” she snapped, her voice shrill, trembling with rage. She gripped Damian’s arm like claws. “It’s because of Logan! The moment he stepped into this building, everything turned rotten. He’s cursed, he spreads his bad luck like a disease. If we hadn’t run into him, we wouldn’t be humiliated like this!”

Her chest heaved, her words tumbling out like venom. “That useless janitor,he’s the reason we’re rejected. He’s poisoned everything for me since the day I met him!”

Damian’s jaw tightened, his teeth grinding audibly. He had been trying to contain his rage at the insult from Bliss Corporation, but Isabella’s words struck a match in his chest.

“Logan Blackwood,” Damian said slowly, his voice low and dangerous. “That pathetic fool thinks he can mock me just by existing? If he dares step in my way again, I’ll crush him like an insect.”

The secretary flinched at the venom in his voice. The two guards exchanged glances, waiting for the next command.

“Sir, Miss…” the secretary stammered, trying to keep her composure. “Please… don’t make this worse. The Vice President’s orders were clear. You must leave.”

Isabella rounded on her. “How dare you? You dare to call us trash.” Her voice cracked, anger spilling into desperation. “Do you have any idea who we are?”

The secretary’s face was stiff. “Guards.”