The Rightful Heir

Chapter Eight

Liam’s POV

My fingers tightened around my phone, my heart pounding fast against my ribs. The words on the screen sent shock waves down my spine. 

[ UNKNOWN NUMBER: Next time, we won’t just be watching ] 

I lifted my head and scanned the dark parking lot.

Who the hell sent this? 

Charles lit another cigarette, watching me with a smirk. “Something wrong, Liam?” he asked mischievously

I clenched my jaw, debating whether to show him the text. But no—Charles wanted my shares. He wasn’t my friend. If anything, he was just another vulture circling, waiting for me to be desperate enough to give him what he wanted.

“I’m fine,” I muttered, slipping my phone into my pocket. “I need time to think.”

Charles exhaled a puff of smoke. “Time is the one thing you don’t have,” he said before walking into his car. 

He wasn’t wrong.

I watched as he drove off into darkness.

Ryan wasn’t just a school bully. He was a kingpin, a murderer, and now—someone had broken through to threaten me. If I wanted to survive this, I needed to play smarter.

I turned on my heel and walked back to my car, my thoughts shifting back and forth on how I was going to survive this.

Whoever sent that message wanted me to back off.

But if they thought threats would scare me, they were dead wrong.

[The Next Morning]

I barely slept. Every sound outside my dorm made me flinch, every knock on my door had me reaching for the baseball bat I kept under my bed.

But morning came, and with it, a new plan.

Ryan thought he was untouchable, but if he really had killed someone, there had to be proof. I just needed to find it before he—or his people—got to me first.

I made my way to campus, my mind replaying Charles’s words.

"Your shares, Liam. Give them to me, and I’ll give you the name of the student who knows everything."

Was the name really worth it? Or was this just another power move from Charles?

I walked into the cafeteria, my eyes scanning the room.

Melissa sat with Ryan at their usual table, his arm draped lazily around her shoulders as she laughed at something he said.

The sight made my stomach twist. Once upon a time, that was me sitting with her.

Once upon a time, she was mine.

Ryan’s eyes flicked up, locking onto mine. His smirk widened as if daring me to come closer.

Not today.

I turned away and made my way toward someone else—Ben Parker.

Ben was a quiet kid, someone who always kept his head down. But if anyone knew the gossip on campus, it was him. He was the type to hear things no one else did.

I slid into the seat across from him. Ben blinked, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Uh… hey?”

I leaned in. “I need information.” His eyes darted around, nervous. “On what?”

I glanced toward Ryan’s table. “Him.” Ben’s face becomes pale. “Dude… I don’t know anything.”

“Bullshit.” I lowered my voice. “You hear things, Ben. And I know you know something about the murder.”

His hands trembled as he gripped his fork. “I don’t want to get involved, man. Ryan’s dangerous.”

“I know,” I said, my voice tight. “But that doesn’t mean he should get away with it.”

Ben swallowed hard. “Even if I did know something… talking could get me killed.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a thick wad of cash. “This is just for talking, Ben. Double if you tell me the name of the student who saw it happen.”

His eyes widened, but he shook his head. “It’s not about money. It’s about me surviving. Do you want to get me killed.”

I exhaled sharply. “You think staying quiet makes you safe? Ryan doesn’t leave loose ends, Ben. The fact that you know something already puts you at risk.”

Ben hesitated. His fingers drummed against the table.

Then, finally, he exhaled shakily.

“There’s a guy,” he muttered. “A junior. Name’s Ethan Grayson.”

Ethan.

I knew him—he was a nobody. Kept to himself. Why would he be the one who saw Ryan commit murder?

Ben looked around again before leaning in. “Ethan saw it happen, but he’s too scared to talk. Word is, Ryan’s people threatened him.”

My stomach churned.

I had my lead.

“Where can I find him?” I asked.

Ben hesitated, then whispered, “Library. He always stays late.”

I nodded, slipping him the cash. “You never spoke to me.”

Ben stuffed the money into his pocket, his hands still trembling. “Be careful, Liam.”

I stood and walked away, my mind made up.

If Ethan had seen what happened, then he was the key to bringing Ryan down.

But I needed to get to him before Ryan did.

[That Night – Crestwood University Library]

The library was nearly empty. Only a few students remained, reading their books, their faces illuminated by dim desk lamps.

I moved between the bookshelves, scanning the rows until I spotted him.

Ethan Grayson.

He sat near the back, his hood up, flipping through a book. He looked exhausted—like someone who hadn’t had a peaceful night’s sleep in months.

I approached quietly.

“Ethan.”

His head snapped up, fear evidently shown in his eyes. “Who—who are you?”

I pulled out the chair across from him and sat down. “We need to talk.”

Ethan swallowed hard. “I don’t know anything.”

I leaned forward. “Lying won’t help you. I know you saw what Ryan did. And I know you’re scared.”

His breathing grew even harder as his gaze darted around the library. “I—I can’t—”

I grabbed his wrist. “You don’t have to be afraid. Whatever Ryan has on you, I can help.”

His eyes darted around the room once more. “You don’t get it. If I talk, I’m dead.”

“Not if we take him down first.”

Ethan shook his head violently. “You think you’re the first person who’s tried? Ryan’s untouchable.”

I tightened my grip. “Not anymore. If you testify—”Ethan suddenly stiffened, his face draining of color.

My heart stopped. I could feel a person right behind me.

A voice, smooth and cold, filled my ears.

“Well, well. What do we have here?!” the voice said with amusement

I turned slowly, my pulse rising.