The Rightful Heir

Chapter Nine

Liam’s POV

I turned slowly, my pulse rising as I came face to face with Ryan Blackwood himself. He stood there, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. Behind him were two of his lackeys—Zane and Cole, 

Ethan looked like he was about to pass out. His hands trembled as he shut his book and scooted back in his chair, his gaze darting toward the exit like a trapped animal.

Ryan tilted his head, his smirk sickening. "Liam Carter," he drawled. "Didn’t expect to see you here. And with Ethan, of all people. What’s the occasion?"

I forced my expression into something neutral, though my mind raced. This wasn’t good. Not here. Not now.

My eyes darted around trying to find a possible escape route. 

“Just catching up on some reading,” I said evenly, tilting my head toward the books.

Ryan let out a short, amused chuckle. "Oh? And here I thought you were digging where you shouldn’t."

Zane and Cole stepped closer. Ethan’s breath was caught in his throat, gripping the table so tightly his knuckles went white.

Ryan leaned down, resting his palms on the table between Ethan and me, his sharp blue eyes locking onto mine. “Tell me, Liam,” he murmured. “What is it you think you’re doing?”

I met his gaze, refusing to back down. “Just having a conversation.”

Ryan’s smile, his face slowly turning into something else. Something darker, but there was an unmistakable edge to his voice when he spoke next. “See, I have a problem with that. Because it seems to me like you’re poking your nose into things that don’t concern you.”

Ethan let out a shaky breath. “I—I was just—”

Ryan straightened, turning his attention to him. "You were just what?" he asked softly.

Ethan clamped his mouth shut, his face draining of color.

Ryan sighed, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Ethan, Ethan, Ethan. You know better than to talk to the wrong people. It’s not good for your health."

The warning in his voice sent a chill down my spine.

Ethan practically shrank into his chair. “I—I didn’t say anything. I swear. I was just about leaving.” 

Ryan tsked, then slowly turned back to me. “Liam,” he said, his tone almost bored, “You’ve been busy lately, haven’t you? Running around, asking questions, meeting up with people. Just to what?”His smirk returned. “Really, it’s adorable.”

I clenched my fist in anger.

I knew I had to have my own minions now. Someone who can protect me. Someone who has my back too.

Ryan stepped closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear. “I don’t know what little game you think you’re playing, but let me make this clear. Walk away.”

I didn’t move.

Ryan’s smirk wavered, his amusement thinning. "You’re testing my patience, Carter. And trust me—you don’t want to do that."

I forced a smirk of my own. “Is that a threat?”

Ryan chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “It’s a promise.”

Behind him, Cole cracked his knuckles.

Ethan was visibly shaking now, sweat brooding on his forehead.

Ryan took a step back, his smirk returning. “I’ll be generous, Liam. I’ll let this go—for now. But if I find you sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong again…” He tilted his head, eyes darkening. “Well, let’s just say your father’s or grandfather's wealth won’t protect you from what I can do.”

I clenched my fists under the table.

Ryan clapped Ethan on the shoulder, making him flinch. “As for you, buddy, I hope you haven’t forgotten our little conversation from before.”

Ethan’s lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.

Ryan turned to leave, but then he paused, glancing back at me. “Oh, and Liam?”

I didn’t say anything.

Ryan grinned. “Be careful who you trust.”

With that, he walked away, Zane and Cole trailing behind him like shadows.

The library felt colder after they left.

I turned back to Ethan, who looked like he was seconds away from throwing up. “Ethan—”

“I—I can’t do this,” he choked out, shoving his books into his bag with shaky hands. “I’m done. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

I reached for his arm. “Ethan, wait—”

He jerked away. “No. You don’t get it, Carter. You’re playing with fire. Ryan isn’t just some rich kid with a bad temper. He has people. Dangerous people.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Who?”

Ethan shook his head violently. “I don’t know, and I don’t want to know. But if you keep pushing, you’ll find out the hard way.”

I watched as he practically ran out of the library, leaving me alone with nothing but my thoughts.

Damn it.

I had gotten the name I needed—but Ryan had gotten to Ethan first. Whatever he had on him was enough to keep him terrified and silent.

I needed a new plan.

If I wanted to take Ryan down, I had to find proof myself.

And I had to do it fast. It was either I give my shares to Charles to help me do it or I find this on my own. Either way, I was not giving up. 

[Later That Night]

I sat in my dorm, staring at my laptop screen. The blue light illuminated the darkness in my room. 

Ryan had covered his tracks well, but there had to be something—anything—that could prove what he had done. Something that I was not seeing. 

Overlooking. 

I started typing, digging through news archives, social media posts, anything related to the night of the rumored murder.

Then, something caught my eye.

A missing person’s report.

A sophomore from Crestwood University.

Mason Wells.

I frowned, clicking on the article.

Mason had disappeared two months ago. No leads, no suspects. Last seen leaving a bar near campus.

And then—

My stomach dropped.

A photo.

A grainy, low-quality image from a security camera.

Mason, standing outside the bar. I could barely recognise who he was but it was more than enough to keep me going. I need to speak with Ethan once more. 

I faxed the picture out, grabbing it and staring at it for a long time. My message beeped and I rushed to see who it was. 

“ Do we have a deal?” 

I looked at who the sender was and I smirked.