The maltreated Heir

chapter five

“ Where is the Dean's office?” One of the men asked,removing the back shade that was covering his crimson pupils.

“ Follow me, sir.”

A student said immediately he saw the most powerful crest on the top of his navy suit.

Students whisper as they part ways for the men.

The moment the man walked into the Dean's office. The room fell silent.

Every eye turned toward the door.

The man who stood there didn’t look like someone who asked questions twice.

He was tall and dressed in a suit that probably cost more than Liam’s entire year’s tuition.

His posture was straight, his expression calm but his presence alone carried untold power.

Behind him stood four other men, equally dressed, equally intimidating.

And outside, through the glass window,a line of black luxury cars had filled the campus grounds.

Their engines were still running while students gathered with their phones out already.

Something big was happening.

“Is there a student here named Liam Gray?” the man asked again, his voice firm and controlled.

No one answered immediately.

All eyes shifted… slowly… toward Liam. The man followed their gaze.

And then, he walked forward.

Until he stood directly in front of Liam. For a brief second, the room held its breath. Each of them wondered what the strange man was doing.

Then the man bowed respectfully.

“Mr. Liam Gray,” he said, his voice dropping with unmistakable reverence. “We’ve finally found you.”

The world… stopped.

Jason blinked.

Vanessa’s lips parted slightly.

Dean Whitmore stiffened. He slowly adjusted his glasses and slightly pushed his chair backwards.

Even the guards loosened their grip on Liam’s arms. Liam frowned, confused.

“What?” he asked, his gaze fixed on the man standing in front of him.

The man straightened and reached into his inner pocket. He pulled out a sealed document. It was thick, and it was looking a bit official. He held it out with both hands as he stretched it out to Liam.

“My name is Carter Hale. I am the legal representative of Chairman Augustus Gray.”

The name meant nothing to Liam but the way he said it sounded important.

Carter continued.“For the past eighteen years, Chairman Gray has been searching for his missing grandson.”

He took a pause as his gaze locked onto Liam.“You are that grandson.”

There was a brief silence. Liam looked at his grandmother who was stunned.

Then there was a loud laughter all of a sudden.

Jason was the first to break it.

“Wait—wait—wait…” he said, clapping slowly. “This is a joke, right? A poor scholarship kid… a billionaire heir? Do you even know who Augustus Gray is?” he asked staring at Liam.

Vanessa let out a sharp laugh.

“Liam? Him?” she said, shaking her head. “This has to be some kind of prank.”

Dean Whitmore didn’t laugh but his eyes narrowed. He had seen many students rise up the ranks in the school.

Either by luck or by pure hard work.

“Mr. Hale,” the Dean said carefully, “Westbridge University does not tolerate disruptions. If this is some kind of staged act or a joke, please stop it.”

Carter didn’t even look at him.Instead, he handed the document to Liam.

“Inside is your identification confirmation, DNA verification, and inheritance rights authorization.”

Liam hesitated before taking it.His hands were slightly shaking.

He opened it slowly.

Page after page, Liam saw official seals, medical reports, and signatures.

And then his gaze caught a name. Augustus Gray. Net worth: billions. Global holdings. Chairman of a conglomerate that owned companies Liam had only seen on television. His breath caught.

“This…” Liam whispered. “This isn’t possible.”

Carter’s expression softened slightly. “It is, sir.”

Jason scoffed loudly. “Even if this is real—which it’s not—what does it have to do with anything here?”

That was when Carter finally looked at him, and when he did, Jason’s voice stopped.

His gaze was cold, sharp, and unimpressed. “Who are you?” Carter asked.

Jason straightened slightly. “Jason Reed.” Carter gave a small nod.

“Ah. Reed Group.” He then paused.

Jason’s expression cracked. “What?”

Carter turned fully now, his voice calm but devastating. “The Reed Group operates under Gray Holdings in three major sectors. Legally speaking…” he adjusted his cufflinks slightly, “…your family business answers to his.” He tilted his head toward Liam.

The room exploded into whispers. Jason’s face turned pale.

Vanessa’s fingers slipped from his arm. Dean Whitmore stood frozen.

“No…” Jason muttered. “That’s not—my father—he never said—”

“Your father is aware,” Carter said smoothly. “He was informed this morning.” Jason took a step back. For the first time, he looked unsure.

Carter turned back to Liam. “Chairman Gray has instructed us to bring you home immediately. However…” He glanced around the office. “…it seems there are unresolved matters.”

Liam slowly lifted his head. For the first time since everything began, his eyes were no longer filled with helplessness.

His gaze moved from Carter, to the Dean, then to Vanessa, and finally to Jason.

Jason swallowed. “…Liam,” he said, forcing a laugh. “Look, whatever this is—we can talk—” “Talk?” Liam repeated quietly. The room went still again.

Liam took a step forward. The guards instinctively moved aside. No one dared touch him now.

“You told me to kneel,” Liam said.

Jason’s throat tightened. “That was before we—” “You told me I didn’t belong here. You said I should know my place.”

Vanessa stepped forward slightly.

“Liam, I didn’t mean—”

But Liam didn’t even look at her and that hurt more than anything.

Carter spoke again, his tone polite. “Sir, would you like us to proceed?” Liam was quiet for a moment. Then he exhaled slowly.

“From today…” he said, his voice steady, “I want every decision regarding Westbridge University reviewed.”

Dean Whitmore’s head snapped up.

“Excuse me?”

Liam turned to him. “No student should be treated the way I was.”

The Dean’s lips parted—but no words came out.

Carter nodded. “It will be done.”

He turned to one of the men behind him. “Contact the board. Freeze all administrative decisions pending audit.”

“Yes, sir.” One of the men said with a bow.

Dean Whitmore’s face drained of color. “You can’t just—this is highly irregular—”

Carter interrupted smoothly. “As a matter of fact the Gray family is the largest donor to this institution.”

He stopped for a bit, “Point of correction, they are the owner, starting from this morning.”

The whole hallway was silent with each student wondering how a nobody suddenly became the heir of a billionaire