The maltreated Heir

chapter nine

Carter’s voice lowered.“One of the Gray board directors has moved company funds offshore.”

The room chilled.

“And?”

“He has also filed an emergency motion to challenge Liam’s succession.”

Victor Reed instinctively stepped back even Jason looked confused.

Vanessa simply looked scared.

Augustus’s face became stone. “Which director?”

Carter swallowed once.“Your younger brother… Malcolm Gray.”

Liam's feet felt a bit weakened. He immediately knew this was not just simply a childish fight anymore.

The real enemy had stepped onto the board. Augustus slowly turned to Liam.

“This is why weak men should never inherit power.”

Then he looked toward Jason, Victor, and Vanessa.

“As for these insects…” His gaze returned to Liam.“Your decision.”

The room fell into complete silence. Jason’s arrogance was gone.

Victor’s confidence had shattered and Vanessa trembled.

Liam rose to his feet. His eyes swept over all three of them.

The poor boy who once begged for tuition was now standing between old enemies and the brewing war.

He spoke calmly. “Throw them out.”

The guards moved instantly. Each of them grabbed the trio.

Jason shouted.

Victor protested.

Vanessa screamed Liam’s name.

But none of it mattered.

As they were dragged away, Liam turned to Augustus.

“When do we deal with Malcolm Gray?”Augustus smiled for the first time that night.

“Now you sound like my grandson.”

As mansion doors closed behind Jason, Victor, and Vanessa with a heavy final sound, silence returned to the grand hall.

One thing was certain, Liam knew he was entering a new world. Not the one where he had to beg for attention or mercy but one where he had to make decisions.

Augustus Gray studied him from his wheelchair, his gaze sharp despite the oxygen tube resting beneath his nose.

“What was that back there? You hesitated,” Augustus said.

Liam turned slightly, trying to avoid the old man's gaze. “I didn’t.”

“You did,” Augustus replied calmly. “Just for a second.”

Liam knew there was no point in denying it.

Carter Hale stood quietly beside them, observing the both of them.

Augustus tapped the armrest of his wheelchair once.“That hesitation is dangerous.”

Liam frowned. “Why?”

“Because it means you still think these people would pity you if you are in their shoes.”

Augustus leaned forward slightly.

“I don’t.” Liam looked away.

Augustus nodded. “ Time will tell, Liam but for now, ease into your new position. Carter here will handle everything for now.”

As Augustus wheeled himself back to the study room, he paused, “ And Liam, welcome into a world of secrets. Your life is going to get more interesting from now onward.”

*

The following day at school was more of a show biz. News of Jason's and Vanessa seeking Liam out at the Gray mansion was the talk on every student's lips.

“ Did you hear what happened? Vanessa and Jason went to beg at the Gray's mansion.”

“ Oh boy! Did you think Liam is going to forgive them?”

“ I guess the Reeds are powerless afterall.”

The sun caught the polished surface of the black limousine as its doors opened in front of Westbridge University.

The entire campus froze.

Students who were laughing moments ago stopped mid-step.

Conversations died instantly. Phones rose again, but this time there was no mocking—only shock, curiosity, and fear.

The guards stepped out first.

Men in black suits with earpieces and sharp eyes scanning every direction.

Then Carter Hale appeared, calm as ever.

And finally Liam Gray stepped out. For a second, nobody spoke.

Yesterday, he had walked these same grounds with bruises on his face and dust on his shoes.

Today, he arrived like a different species entirely.

The wind shifted slightly as if even the atmosphere was adjusting to him.

Whispers erupted almost immediately.

“That’s him…”

“Liam Gray…”

“The billionaire heir…”

“Jason’s rival…”

A girl dropped her phone in shock. A boy stepped backward unconsciously.

And then—like a delayed reaction—the crowd began to move toward him.

Within minutes, Liam was surrounded by people who yesterday didn’t even notice he existed.

“Liam… hi, I’m Daniel from your economics class!”

“Do you remember me? We shared a lab once!”

“Liam, if you ever need anything on campus, just call me!”

A girl pushed forward aggressively. “I always knew you were different!”

Another student quickly corrected her. “No, I said that first!”

Carter immediately stepped forward. “Give him space.”

Liam observed all of them quietly.Then he smiled faintly. So this is how the world works.

Yesterday, they watched him bleed.

Today, they wanted to stand right next to him.

Across the courtyard, Jason Reed stood motionless. His jaw was clenched so tightly it looked like it might break.

Beside him, Vanessa held her arms tightly around herself, her nails digging into her skin.

She wasn’t crying anymore. She was angry and really pissed.

“They’re all surrounding him like he’s some kind of king,” Jason muttered.

Vanessa scoffed.

It felt almost like she hadn't tried to ditch Jason for Liam just yesterday.

“He is nothing,” she said bitterly. “This is all just money. That’s it.”

Jason turned sharply toward her.“Then why does it feel like I’ve already lost?”

Vanessa didn’t answer because she felt it too.

Liam finally raised his hand slightly. The crowd immediately went silent.

Every head turned toward him.

“I don’t need friends,” Liam said calmly.

The crowd stiffened.

“But…” he continued, his gaze sweeping across them, “I do remember faces.”

That alone made several students swallow nervously.

Liam’s eyes landed on one boy who had laughed the loudest at

Jason’s beating incident.

The boy froze.

Liam smiled slightly. “You were very loud when I was being bullied and beaten.”

The boy stepped backward immediately. “I—I didn’t mean—”

Liam raised a hand.“I didn’t say anything yet.”

The whispering quieted the moment he threw his hands into the air.

Then Liam turned away.

And just like that, the crowd shifted again.

Carter leaned slightly toward Liam. “Your schedule has been cleared for the day. However, there are requests.”

“Requests?” Liam asked.

Carter handed him a tablet.

Hundreds of notifications appeared, club invitations, student council messages and even private dinner requests.

Then a highlighted message.

THE MOST POPULAR GIRL ON CAMPUS WANTS TO MEET YOU.

Liam raised a brow. “Who is that?”

Carter replied. “Aria Lancaster.”

The moment that name was spoken, the crowd reacted. Even Jason’s head lifted slightly.

Vanessa frowned.

“She’s here?” someone whispered.

“She never talks to anyone…”

“Why would she want Liam?”

Carter gestured subtly. And then she appeared.

Aria Lancaster.

She walked through the crowd without rushing, without hesitation.

Long dark hair. Calm expression. Elegant posture. She didn’t look nervous, rather she looked curious.

When she reached Liam, she stopped directly in front of him.

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” she said softly.

Liam studied her.N“And I haven’t heard anything about you,” he replied.

A faint smile touched her lips. “That’s because I don’t chase attention.”

Jason’s fists tightened instantly while Vanessa’s expression darkened.

Aria continued.“But I do recognize opportunity when I see it.”

Liam tilted his head slightly.“Opportunity?”

She nodded once. “Westbridge is changing. And people like you are just who I want to keep.”

Liam took a step closer. “And what exactly do I get from this union?”

For the first time, Aria hesitated slightly.

Before she could answer a loud shout echoed from the far end of the courtyard.

“Liam Gray!”

Everyone turned.

A group of students stepped aside quickly.

Jason was walking forward.

His face was pale, but his pride refused to disappear completely.

Vanessa followed slowly behind him, watching carefully.

Jason stopped a few meters away.

“This is enough,” he said loudly. “You think you’ve won because of money?”

The crowd went silent again.

Liam looked at him calmly as Jason continued.“You were nothing yesterday. You are nothing today. Titles don’t change blood.”

Liam smiled faintly. “Is that what you tell yourself to sleep at night?”

Jason’s jaw tightened.“You want to humiliate me? Fine. But don’t think I’ll bow.”

Liam walked slowly toward him.

The crowd held its breath. Each of them stared at Liam, wondering what he was going to do next.

Carter didn’t move and Aria watched closely.

Vanessa stepped back instinctively. Liam stopped directly in front of Jason.

Close enough that Jason could feel his breath on him.

Liam spoke softly.“You already bowed.”

Jason’s eyes widened. “I didn’t—”

Liam interrupted.“At the mansion gate. Everyone saw it becauseit is on camera.” .

Jason’s face twitched with rage. “You think that was—”

Liam leaned in slightly.“And you brought your father.”

Jason’s breathing became uneven.

But then, Carter received a call. His face changed immediately as he rushed towards Liam.

“ What is it?” Liam asked.

“ Your grandfather. He is…”

Carter was about to finish his word when the students phone began to chime all at once