The maltreated Heir

chapter seven

Liam’s heartbeat quickened.The man who had changed everything.

The grandfather who had never found him. The billionaire whose blood ran in his veins.

He climbed the steps slowly as the giant doors opened inward.

Inside, the marble hall stretched endlessly beneath crystal chandeliers. At the far end of the room, an elderly man sat in a wheelchair beside a fireplace.

He had silver hair and an oxygen tube rested at his nose.

The man lifted his gaze and it landed on Liam.His hands trembled.

For the first time in decades, Chairman Augustus Gray looked shaken.

Then he spoke in a hoarse voice. “My grandson.”

Liam stopped walking. The room fell silent. Augustus’s eyes glistened.

Then he said words that chilled everyone present. “Whoever made you suffer… will beg for death.”

The grand hall remained silent long after Augustus Gray spoke.

Liam stood motionless at the center of the room. For years, he had imagined what it would feel like to have someone powerful stand on his side.

And now when the moment came, he couldn't help but feel unsettled.

This man was his grandfather. A complete stranger he didn't even know existed.

Augustus slowly lifted a trembling hand. “Come closer.” he whispered.

Liam hesitated for only a second before walking forward. His gentle stride towards the old man could be heard.

When he finally stood before him,, Augustus studied his face carefully, as though trying to recover all the years he had lost.

“You have your father’s eyes,” Augustus said softly.

Liam’s throat tightened. “I barely remember him.”

Augustus' eyebrows arched for a bit.“That is my greatest shame.”

The room remained still. No servant dared move.

Augustus reached out and gripped Liam’s wrist. Though aged, his hand still carried surprising strength.

“I searched for you,” he said. “Every year, every country and every city was swept clean all in your name.”

Liam looked into the old man’s eyes and, for the first time, he saw pain.

“Then why didn’t you find me?”

Augustus closed his eyes briefly. “Because someone made sure I could not.”

Liam’s jaw tightened. “What do you mean?”

Before Augustus could answer, a violent cough shook his body.

Carter Hale immediately stepped forward. “Chairman, you need to rest.”

Augustus waved him away impatiently. “I’ll rest when I’m dead.”

He fixed his gaze on Liam again.

“There are enemies in this family, boy. Men who smiled in front of me while burying every trail that led to you.”

Liam felt the room grow colder. He could sense what the old man was saying. This was past his own revenge and school hatred for Jason.

He gulped down the saliva at the back of his throat, “So my parents…”

“They died because they trusted the wrong people.”

Mrs. Evelyn gasped softly behind him.

Liam’s fists clenched. “Who?”

Augustus leaned back in his wheelchair. “You will know soon enough.”

Augustus suddenly changed tone. “But revenge can wait.”

He looked toward Carter. “The board meeting.”

Carter nodded. “It has already been arranged, Chairman.”

Augustus returned his attention to Liam. “Today, you begin learning what it means to be a Gray.”

Liam frowned. “I just found out who I am.”

“And the world just found out too,” Augustus replied. “Which means they are already moving.”

He motioned toward a servant standing nearby. A large screen descended from the wall.

Carter tapped a remote. The screen lit up with breaking headlines.

MYSTERY HEIR OF AUGUSTUS GRAY FOUND

GRAY HOLDINGS SUCCESSOR REVEALED

WHO IS LIAM GRAY?

Then another headline appeared.

REED GROUP STOCKS DROP AFTER SUCCESSOR ANNOUNCEMENT.

Liam blinked. “What?”

Carter adjusted his glasses.

“The market reacts to power. Investors know your grandfather favors blood over outsiders. Reed Group depends heavily on Gray Holdings.”

Augustus gave a thin smile.“Jason Reed’s father is likely sweating already.”

For the first time, Liam felt the scale of what had changed.

This was no schoolyard victory. This was war among giants.

Augustus pointed to the screen again.

“One spoiled boy insulted you. But his father profits from my empire.”

His gaze sharpened. “So tell me, grandson…”

The entire room seemed to lean in. “What should be done first?”

Liam froze.

For the first time he was given the go ahead to decide Jason's fate and not only that, the fate of his entire family.

Liam breathed steadily trying to give thought to what the old man was asking of him.

He thought of Jason laughing while his grandmother begged.He thought of Dean Whitmore looking at their money like filth. He thought of Vanessa kissing another man while making mockery of him.

His chest tightened with anger and hatred.

But then he remembered something else. His years of being powerless, years of people mocking him right in front of him and behind his back.

Slowly, Liam lifted his head. “I don’t want revenge built on anger.”

Augustus’s brow rose slightly.

Interesting.

Liam continued. “I want accountability.”

A faint smile touched Carter’s lips. Augustus slowly leaned back into his wheel chair. “Go on.”

Liam’s voice steadied. “First, Westbridge University.”

Carter immediately opened a tablet. “Continue, sir.”

“The Dean is removed pending investigation. Every student suspended for unpaid tuition gets their cases reviewed. I want scholarships to protect talent, not humiliate the poor.”

Mrs. Evelyn looked at her son and nodded in agreement.

Augustus’s eyes gleamed. “Good.”

Liam continued.“And Jason Reed…”

His tone changed at the mention of his name. “I want him to learn what it feels like when privilege stops working.”

Augustus laughed for the first time. It was rough, brief, but real.

“You truly are my blood.” he said with a loud cough.

He looked at Carter. “Make it happen.”

Carter bowed. “Immediately.”

He stepped aside and began issuing rapid instructions through an earpiece.

Augustus then turned serious once more. “There is one final matter.”

He gestured, and a maid brought forward a velvet case. Inside lay a sleek black card embossed in silver.

The Gray crest.

Augustus took it and handed it to Liam. “This card has no spending limit.”

Liam stared at it. “No limit?”

“It buys homes, companies, favors, silence, and loyalty,” Augustus said. “Use it wisely.”

The room went silent as Liam stared at the metallic card in his hands.