The maltreated Heir

chapter four

Vanessa folded her arms and watched with interest.

“And if I don’t?” Liam asked, his gaze fixed on Jason's

Jason’s smile vanished. “You’ll be expelled today and I am going to make sure of it.”

Dean Whitmore said nothing. Liam looked at him but his silence said enough.

It was evident that Jason runs the school and the Dean simply followed his orders.

His gaze darted from Jason… to Vanessa and then finally to the Dean.

Three faces.

It was evident that they were enjoying his pain. He thought of his unpaid tuition.

His future and of course his grandmother. The woman who scrubbed floors and sold vegetables just to keep him in school.

He slowly lowered his gaze.

Jason smirked and stepped back. “That’s right,” he said. “Know your place.”

Liam’s knees bent slightly when the office door burst open.

“Stop!”

A voice cut through the thick suspense.

Everyone turned to see an elderly woman standing at the doorway, breathing heavily.

Her wrapper was dusty and her slippers were a bit worn out.

A small scarf covered her gray hair but her eyes burned with desperation.

“Grandma…” Liam whispered.

Mrs. Evelyn Gray hurried inside and grabbed Liam by the shoulders.

“I came as fast as I could,” she said, panting. “Your landlord said you left early. The rent is due son, our belongings are right outside.”

“ Did you hear that?”

“ What the hell is a beggar doing inside the school?”

“ Can he even pay his tuition fees?

“ I bet he is as poor as a church rat!”

Students burst into loud laughter.

Evelyn’s eyes moved over his bruised face. Then it widened in horror. “Who did this to you?” she asked, looking at Liam.

Liam forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

“No, you are not!” She turned toward the Dean.

“Sir… please… what happened?”

Dean Whitmore’s face hardened instantly. “And who are you?”

“I’m Liam’s grandmother. I came as soon as I heard.”

She stepped forward and clasped her hands together.

“Please sir, he is a good boy. He has suffered enough already. If it is because of fees, give us a little more time. I sold some things this morning. I can bring the rest soon.”

She reached into her old handbag and brought out crumpled notes, coins and a few small bills.

Jason looked at Vanessa and back at Liam's face. “ Why didn't you tell me you were so poor? I could have bagged my father and gotten your poor grandmother a job at one of my father's stables. She can mop out the pops and also clean the stables.”

The students burst into laughter.

“ I bet my father can also employ this old woman!”

“ She can work as my maid. I bet I can pay more than you.”

“ Quiet!” The dean said with anger. He slowly adjusted his glasses.

Evelyn's trembling hands placed them carefully on the polished desk.

The room became silent.

Liam felt his throat close. He had never seen so humiliated in his entire life. His head lowered in regret and he felt his heart ache from the insult.

Jason looked amused while Vanessa's arms dropped over his shoulders.

She let out a small laugh before covering her mouth. “ I can't believe all of this, Liam. You are not only struggling with ends meet but you are so poor you could barely pay your rents. Ew!”

Dean Whitmore stared at the money like it was trash.His finger grabbed one of the money and he immediately dropped it to the table like it was dirty.

“Remove that from my desk.”

Mrs. Gray blinked.“Sir?”

“I said remove it.” the dean shouted.

She hurriedly gathered the money again.

“Please… he only needs a little chance. I am sure we can pay the money. I am going to hustle more and make sure I come up with the money.”

Dean Whitmore stood.“This is a university, not a marketplace. Do you think we sell pepper here?” he asked in frustration, running his hands through his hair.

Liam’s face went pale. He gazed at the man, his hand tightened around the tip of his shorts.

“Sir…” he whispered.

Mrs. Gray bowed her head. “I’m begging you. We are going to fix this. I promise, I am going to make this better no matter what he has done.”

Jason chuckled openly now. “ Well, well, well. This is quite interesting.” he said mockingly.

“ Maybe you should all fall at my feet and maybe I can reconsider letting your son stay back.”

Vanessa smirked.

Something inside Liam snapped. “Enough! You can talk down to me, have your guards beat me up but you are never going to humiliate my grandmother. Ever!”

He moved in front of his grandmother protectively.

“You want someone to be punished?” Liam said, voice shaking with fury. “Punish me!”

Jason laughed, “ Really? Why don't you both fall to your knees, head in the dirt and beg for my mercy?”

All the students were quiet now. All of them wondered what choice Liam was going to pick but instead, Dean Whitmore pointed to the door.

“Both of you, get out.”

Mrs. Gray gasped. “Sir, please!”

“Security!” he barked.

The door opened instantly as two guards entered. Liam’s fists clenched.

Jason stepped close and whispered into Liam’s ear. “This is what happens when poor people forget their place.”

Liam swung.

His fist flew toward Jason but the guards grabbed him before it landed.

“Let me go!”

He struggled wildly as they restrained him.

Mrs. Gray cried out. “Liam! Liam!”

Dean Whitmore straightened his tie.

“Effective immediately, Liam Gray is suspended pending full expulsion review.”

Liam went still. He couldn't believe what he just heard. A satisfactory smile appeared on Jason’s lips.

The words echoed like a death sentence.

His grandmother nearly collapsed.

Then,a sharp voice came from the hallway.

“Please is there a student who goes by the name, Gray Liam?”

Everyone in the room turned toward the door.A tall man in a black suit stood there.

Behind him were four more men. And outside the office window…

A convoy of luxury black cars had just entered the campus grounds.