The maltreated Heir

chapter six

The moment Liam stepped out of the administrative building, the entire campus erupted into chaos.

Students crowded the walkways with their phones raised high, recording every second. All of them began to talk at once.

“Is that really Liam?”

“ I can't believe my eyes.*

“The poor guy?”

“No way…”

“They bowed to him!”

“He owns Westbridge?”

Liam heard every word. Just yesterday, those same mouths had mocked his torn clothes, his unpaid fees, and the bruises on his face.

Now they stared at him like he was something rare, something untouchable but still he felt no satisfaction.

Mrs. Evelyn Gray clutched his arm tightly as they descended the marble stairs.She was also in shock and couldn't believe what was happening.

“Liam,” she whispered shakily. “Tell me this is not some mistake.”

Liam looked at her gently.“I don’t know everything yet, Grandma. But I know one thing.”

He squeezed her hand and stared into her pale face. “No one will ever disrespect you again.”

Her lips trembled, and tears rolled down her wrinkled cheeks.

Before she could speak, Carter Hale opened the rear door of the longest black limousine in the convoy.

“Your car, sir.” he said with a bow once again.

Liam froze for a second. He could not help but stared at Carter and then back at his supposed car.

The words felt unreal.

He had spent years riding crowded buses, walking long distances, and counting coins before every fare.

Now a luxury car waited for him while suited men stood at attention.

Jason Reed walked out from the building just in time to see it. His fists clenched so tightly that the veins in his neck bulged.

Vanessa stood behind him, pale and speechless.

Liam noticed them. He simply stared at Jason’s gaze for only a moment before helping his grandmother into the limousine first.

That single act hit harder than any insult. Then Liam entered after her.

The door shut softly.

A second later, the convoy began to move out of Westbridge school compound.

Inside the limousine, neither Liam nor his grandmother said a word.

The leather seats were softer than anything Liam had ever touched.

A chilled bottle of sparkling water sat beside crystal glasses, while digital screens glowed softly in the side panels.

Mrs. Evelyn touched the seat cautiously. “Liam,” she whispered. “Are we allowed to sit here?”

Liam almost laughed.“Yes, Grandma,” he said quietly. “We are.”

Carter sat across from them, his posture straight as steel. He handed Liam a tablet.

“Chairman Augustus Gray requested I brief you immediately.”

Liam accepted it slowly. In no time the screen lit up with photos,private jets,towering buildings,hotels,factories,shipping ports,luxury brands,banking firms.

His breath caught in his throat. “All this belongs to him?”

Carter nodded. “And in time, much of it will belong to you.”

Mrs. Evelyn gasped.

Liam shook his head. “No. There has to be some mistake. My parents died when I was young. We had nothing. That was what you told me. Right grandma?”

Evelyn nodded. Not sure if telling him the truth was going to hurt more. She had decided to carry the truth to her grave but now, it seems the truth was going to be let out any moment.

Carter’s expression darkened. “That is not entirely true.”

Liam looked up sharply. “What does that mean?”

Carter folded his hands. “Your father, Daniel Gray, was Chairman Gray’s only son.”

The world seemed to pause.

“My father?”

“Yes.”

“Then why did we live like beggars?”

Carter hesitated. “Because after your father married your mother, there was conflict within the family. Powerful people wanted control of the Gray empire. Your parents chose to disappear rather than become targets.”

Liam’s jaw tightened. His gaze went back to his grandmother. “And they died.”

“Yes.” Mrs. Evelyn lowered her head sadly.“I promised your mother I would hide you,” she said softly. “I never told you because I feared they would come for you too.”

Liam stared at her. “You knew?”

Tears filled her eyes.

“I knew enough to keep you alive.”

Liam leaned back heavily.

Everything he believed about his life was all a lie. He couldn't help but think back to his years of hunger, years of humiliation and years of pain.

And all along, there had been more. Carter’s voice remained calm.

“The Chairman never stopped searching.”

“Why now?”

“We received confirmation through a private investigator two weeks ago. Yesterday, final DNA results arrived.”

Liam laughed bitterly. “So yesterday I was beaten like trash…”

“And today,” Carter said, “you are the future of Gray Holdings.”

The convoy passed through the city. People on the streets turned to stare.

Liam looked through the tinted window at the same roads he had walked in worn shoes.

Everything outside looked the same. Only he had changed. Or maybe the world had changed around him.

His phone suddenly buzzed and an unknown number flashed across the screen.

“Hello?” Liam said slowly.

Then Jason’s voice came through. “Liam.”

Liam’s eyes hardened.

“How did you get this number?”

“That doesn’t matter. Listen… we got off on the wrong foot.”

Liam almost smiled. The desperation in Jason’s tone was delicious.

“Your men beat me unconscious.”

“I was angry.”

“You laughed while my grandmother begged.”

Jason paused. “I can fix this.”

“No,” Liam said coldly. “You can’t.”

“Come on, man. We’re both smart enough to move past small misunderstandings.”

Liam ended the call before Jason could say another word.

Mrs. Evelyn looked at him. “Who was it?”

“No one of note.” he replied, his gaze wandering off towards the sky towers across the street.

Twenty minutes later, the convoy slowed down in front of a massive iron gate standing ahead, taller than any building Liam had ever lived in.

Security men stood at attention on both sides while the gates opened automatically.

Beyond them stretched a private road lined with fountains, gardens, statues, and rows of imported trees.

At the end of the road stood a mansion so vast it looked unreal.

Mrs. Evelyn covered her mouth.

“Jesus…”

Liam said nothing.

The convoy stopped at the front entrance where dozens of staff waited in two neat lines.

Butlers.

Maids.

Security.

Managers.

All standing perfectly still. Carter exited first, then opened Liam’s door.

When Liam stepped out, every staff member bowed.

“Welcome home, Young Master.”

The words hit harder than Jason’s insults ever could.

Mrs. Evelyn began crying again.

Liam stood frozen.

Home?

Could a place he had never seen be called home?

Carter gestured toward the grand entrance. “Chairman Gray is waiting inside.”