The maltreated Heir

Liam had just finished his fifth round of work. He let out a shaky breath as he cleaned the sweat off his forehead.

“You have done well today, Liam.”

A middle-aged man said with a smile on his face. “Here is your salary for the day.”

Liam's gaze was at the man and at the brown envelope that was being thrusted at his face.

“Are you laying me off? "Did I do something wrong, Mr. Hawkins?” he said, staring at the man.

“No, Liam. This is actually a token of appreciation for a job well done. Since today was the last day of the month, I had decided to pay your salary and also give you a tip.”

Liam smiled. "Thank you, sir," he replied.

Monday was going to be the last day for school f*e payments. Liam was a week behind, but with his salary, he was going to be able to pay and also have some change left for upkeep and also buy his girlfriend the bag she had always wanted.

Louis Vuitton.

It was not the latest edition but something similar.

Liam immediately branched into one of the bag stores downtown and grabbed one.

He smiled to himself, feeling accomplished. Now, Vanessa was not going to have any reason to shout at him or look down on him anymore.

Feeling all worked up and tired, Liam pushed the door open only to see Vanessa on his couch.

“You are late.” Vanessa said, staring at the golden wristband she had on.

Liam's gaze caught the shiny bracelet but said nothing. He remembered he had not bought her something fancy in the last two months.

“I got you something," he said with a smile.

Vanessa's gaze brightened just a little.

Liam dropped the parcel on her lap and immediately went to freshen up.

On his way out, he saw Vanessa was greatly displeased and was looking more angry than ever.

“Don't you like it?” Liam asked.

“You are kidding me, right? This bag here is from the last edition and not even the latest!” Vanessa said

Liam rubbed his brows slightly.

“I know…but can you make do with this?”

“No! I am tired of your flimsy excuses, Liam. Aren't you getting paid today?” She asked again.

“Yes, but the money is for my tuition fees, Vanessa. I am a week behind. I am going to be thrown out of the school if I don't pay on time.”

“You complain each time you try to get me something nice. Here…get me everything on that list if you want me as your girlfriend.” Vanessa said, getting a bit worked up.

Liam grabbed her tablet, and his eyes scanned through Vanessa's fancy list.

His heart dropped at the total amount of everything he was staring at.

“Can you give me some time to gather some cash?” Liam pleaded. “I love you, Vanessa, but you need to bear with me.”

“Bear with you? For Christ's sake! I am tired of trying to understand that you are broke. I can't believe I said yes to you in the first place.”

“You don't mean that," Liam said with his brows arched.

“Of course, I do!” Vanessa barked.

She was about to say another word when her phone beeped.

A message flashed across the screen, and Liam was quick to read it.

“Wait? Is that a message from another guy?” he asked

But Vanessa grabbed the phone real quick. “That is none of your business, Liam. You can't get me what I wanted, so why should you bother about…

They suddenly heard a loud car horn right outside Liam's house.

“Are you expecting someone?” Liam asked

“I don't think I need your permission for anything, Liam. Since you can't pay for this body of mine, then I think someone has to keep it running.”

Vanessa grabbed the bag Liam bought and walked outside only to see Jason Reed on his knees.

He was holding a bouquet of money-made flowers and was thrusting it towards her.

“Vanessa, you are going to make me the happiest student on campus if you accept this token from me and be my girlfriend," he said, smiling.

Liam burst through the door only to see what was going on.

“Say yes!”

“Who does not want to be his girlfriend?"

“Vanessa is damn lucky.”

“They fit each other.”

Most of the bystanders said in gentle whispers.

Vanessa gave Liam a cold look before she said yes to Jason's proposal.

The two kissed right in front of Liam, who stood still like he had just received a blow to the face.

“Why don't we get the hell out of here?” Jason said

But Liam was quick; he rushed down the stairs and grabbed Vanessa by her hand.

“You are not leaving here with him. You owe me an explanation!” He barked.

Slap!

Vanessa's hand flew into the air the moment Liam drew her back.

“You are not only stupid, but you are also slow to understand what just happened here. Do you think I love you?”

The air became a bit tense.

“But you…” Liam stuttered, grabbing his face.

Vanessa smirked, "My friends and I placed a bet to actually see how long I was going to last with you. But I think I have tried enough; we dated for how many months?”

Liam's mouth dropped.

It almost felt like he was hearing the impossible.

“Two? Three? Well, it was good while it lasted," Vanessa said mockingly.

Liam tried to grab her again as Jason opened the car for her, but he stopped him.

“Get lost, Liam. You don't deserve the girl," he said with a grin.

“And you do? You think you can just walk in here with your fancy car and steal my girl?” Liam said, his fist clenched by his side.

Jason laughed. “You are going to walk away from her and never talk to her again, or I am going to make you.”

That was it.

Liam threw a punch at Jason, and he fell backwards.

“You have just outdone yourself!” Jason said with fury the moment he stood up.

He snapped his fingers, and three men in black suits came out of the nearest car.

“Beat him up!” Jason commanded.

The three men circled Liam, each of them throwing a punch at his face.

As blood trickled down his cut and as his face went blurry, he stretched his hands in pain as Jason drove out of the compound with Vanessa by his side.