The maltreated Heir

chapter eight

For a while, Liam stared at the black metallic card that was given to him.

He was not only the lost son of a billionaire but he was having boundless opportunity at his disposal.

Just hours ago, he had been dragged through humiliation, nearly expelled, and treated like dirt.

Now he stood beneath crystal chandeliers inside one of the grandest estates in the country, holding a card that could buy everything he ever desired.

Life had changed too fast.

But before Liam could gather his thoughts, Carter Hale’s expression shifted. His hand moved to the earpiece hidden beneath his hairline.

He listened for a moment.

Then he looked at Augustus Gray. “Chairman… there are visitors at the main gate.”

Augustus’s eyes narrowed. “At this hour?”

Carter nodded once. “Jason Reed. His father, Victor Reed. And Miss Vanessa Cole.”

Liam’s eyebrows arched for a bit. He didn't expect everything to change so suddenly.

Augustus gave a dry laugh.“Rats smell grain before sunrise.”

Mrs. Evelyn looked confused. “They came here already?”

Carter answered calmly. “The markets reacted within minutes. Reed Group shares are already falling. Their banking partners are nervous. If Gray Holdings withdraws support, their empire collapses.”

Liam stared.

Jason had mocked him in the morning. Now he was begging by evening.

Augustus looked toward Liam. “Well, grandson? This is your call. What do you wanna do?”

Liam’s jaw tightened. “Let them wait.”

Carter gave a slight bow. “As you wish.”

Outside the mansion gates, Jason Reed paced furiously beside a luxury sedan.

His expensive suit was wrinkled, his hair disordered, and sweat glistened across his forehead.

Victor Reed, a broad-shouldered man in his fifties, stood rigidly beside him. His face was dark with restrained rage.

Vanessa stood a few steps away, clutching her handbag nervously.

This was not how she imagined her day ending.

She had dumped Liam publicly but now, Liam was heir to more wealth than Jason’s entire family.

Jason spun toward his father. “This is ridiculous. Why are we waiting outside like beggars?”

Victor’s slap cracked through the night. Jason staggered sideways, stunned.

“Shut your mouth!” Victor hissed. “Do you know what you’ve done?”

Jason touched his cheek in disbelief. “You hit me?”

“I would do more if you don't come back to your senses!” Victor stepped close with anger burning in his eyes.

“You attacked the grandson of Augustus Gray. You humiliated him publicly. Our stocks are crashing because of your stupidity!”

Jason swallowed hard and Vanessa looked away while the gates remained closed.

Inside the mansion, Liam stood by the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the entrance road.

He could see them in the distance waiting anxiously. Liam couldn't believe the same people who had looked down on him were now at his mercy.

Mrs. Evelyn joined him quietly.“Do you hate them?” she asked.

Liam was silent for a moment. “I hate what they did.”

She placed a wrinkled hand on his arm. “Do not become like them.”

Those words settled deep.Before Liam could answer, Carter entered.

“Sir, there is another matter.”

“What now?”

Carter handed over a tablet.

News channels blazed across the screen.

MYSTERY HEIR RETURNS TO WESTBRIDGE.

GRAY SUCCESSOR CAUSES MARKET SHAKEUP.

WHO IS LIAM GRAY?

Then another alert appeared.

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN CLAIMS TO BE CLOSE TO LIAM GRAY.

The screen switched to footage outside the mansion gate.

Vanessa had played the feminine card yet again. With tears and trembling, she had broadcasted. “I’ve known Liam for a long time. We were… very close.”

Liam almost laughed. Mrs. Evelyn’s face darkened a bit. “That snake.”

Carter calmly swiped to another live feed.

Vanessa continued. "Liam is a kind person. I know he’ll forgive misunderstandings.”

Augustus, watching from across the hall, let out a low chuckle. “She learns quickly.”

Liam’s expression turned cold. “She lies quickly too for someone who dumped me at my lowest.”

An hour later, the mansion gates finally opened.

Jason straightened instantly, Victor exhaled in relief while Vanessa fixed her makeup using her phone camera.

The car was allowed through. They were escorted to a receiving hall—grand enough to dwarf most hotels.

But Liam did not come immediately. He made them wait again.

Ten minutes.

Twenty.

Thirty.

Jason’s knee bounced impatiently. Victor sat stiffly, sweating through his collar.

Vanessa rehearsed soft smiles.

Then the doors finally opened with Liam entering in grand style.

He wore a fitted dark suit tailored in under an hour. His bruises were still faintly visible, but instead of weakness, they now looked like marks of survival.

Behind him walked Carter and two guards.

Jason rose too quickly. “Liam!”

Liam did not answer; he simply sat across from them and crossed one leg slowly.

The same posture Jason once used in the Dean’s office. Victor immediately stood and bowed slightly.

“Mr. Gray, allow me to apologize on behalf of my son.”

Jason blinked. His father had never bowed to anyone in front of him.

Liam’s gaze stayed on Victor. “You’re apologizing for him?”

“Yes.”

“Did you teach him to treat people like trash? Do you even know what your son did to me?!” Liam barked

Victor’s face stiffened. “No.”

Liam readjusted himself on his seat. “Then perhaps you taught him nothing.”

Jason’s jaw clenched. Vanessa quickly stepped forward.

“Liam… I know I made mistakes.”

Now Liam looked at her. His gaze darkened but still held his composure.

She brightened instantly. “I was confused,” she said softly. “Jason pressured me. I never stopped caring about you.”

Jason snapped around. “What?”

Vanessa ignored him and moved closer to Liam. “You know what we had was real.”

Liam stared at her so long that she began to smile.

Then he spoke. “It was a bet. That was what you told me, remember?”

Her smile vanished. “Liam, listen—”

“You laughed when my grandmother begged. Or do I need to remind you?”

“I was nervous—”

“You kissed another man in front of me and here you are claiming innocence!”

Tears formed in her eyes on command.

“I was trying to survive. That is all.”

Mrs. Evelyn entered the hall at that moment and scoffed loudly. “By stabbing my grandson on your back?”

Vanessa froze in humiliation. Jason burst into bitter laughter.

Victor shot him a murderous glare.

Before the chaos could continue, Carter’s earpiece buzzed.

He touched it, listened, then went still.

“Chairman,” he said carefully, turning to Augustus who had just wheeled in silently from a side entrance. “We have a problem.”

Everyone stood immediately. Eyes scanning if it was anything related to them.

And Victor, his gaze fixed on Jason. Hoping and praying it has nothing to do with him molesting Liam or any other matters that had gotten to Augustus' ear