Chapter 3 Dropped and Forgotten

The officers wasted no time cuffing Eddie. Their grips were rough as they hauled him to his feet.

"Do you have any idea on what you've just done, kid?" the second officer hissed.

Eddie glared at him, his body still trembling from the taser.

"You just assaulted Nathan San Roman, the millionaire's son," the first officer said, shaking his head. "You're in deep trouble."

The students watched silently, some recording the scene on their phones.

Eddie's heart sank further as he caught sight of Eunice standing beside Nathan, her head bowed. She didn't even look at him.

"Wait officer. I need to give this mannerless guy something to help him remember not to mess with my boyfriend again." Eunice said as she walked closer to Eddie and landed a hot slap on his cheeks.

Eddie stared at Eunice, his face a mix of pain and betrayal. "You've betrayed me, Eunice. All for what? For someone with more money?" His voice wavered. "I thought you had changed."

Eunice locked eyes with him, her smile icy and full of mockery. "Maybe you should go earn some real money, Eddie. After all, that's how the world operates."

A rage kindled in Eddie's eyes. "Of course, I will make money. So much money that you'll regret ever betraying me."

Eunice laughed, joined by the chorus of mocking voices from the students watching.

"You think this is some sort of Bengali grass-to-grace story? What would the title even be? Eddie, the orphaned student who became a Millionaire? The student millionaire, Rise of the Orphaned millionaire or the campus millionaire? This is real life, Eddie; stop daydreaming, you can never make it."

Eddie nodded, a surge of anger rising within him. "You're right, maybe it only happens in books and movies, but believe me, my success will outshine any grass-to-grace tale ever written or depicted on screen."

As the officers dragged him towards the patrol car, Eddie's leg felt like lead. He was shoved into the backseat, the door slamming shit behind him.

The patrol sped through the streets, the officers exchanging hushed words in the front seat.

Eddie slumped in the back, his wrists aching from the cuffs.

"What are we supposed to do with him?" One officer muttered. "The San Romans will expect us to teach him an unforgettable lesson."

"Yeah," the other replied grimly. "But the last thing we need is a lawsuit from a family that rich. Let's scare him straight and be done with him."

Eddie's ear perked up. Scare me? He thought, unease creeping into his chest.

The car suddenly slowed down, pulling into a bustling district. The officer in the passenger seat turned to face Eddie, his expression cold.

"Listen, kid," he said. "You don't belong in a fight like this. You're just some poor orphan. You really want to go up against the San Romans?"

Eddie didn't reply, his jaw tightening.

"We're giving you one chance," the officer continued, opening the back door. "Jump out! Now."

"What?" Eddie hesitated, his instincts screaming that this wasn't right.

"You heard me," the officer snapped. "This is your stop."

Before Eddie could protest, the officer yanked him out of the car and shoved him toward the sidewalk.

His body hit the pavement hard, the impact knocking the wind out of him.

"Good luck cleaning this mess up, kid," the officer said with a smirk as the car sped away, its tail lights disappearing into the distance.

Eddie groaned in agony, struggling to push himself off the ground. His head throbbed and his knees were scraped raw from the fall.

Tears partially blurred his vision as he looked up, he realized they had dumped him in front of a large event center, illuminated by dazzling lights.

The sounds of laughter and clinking glasses spilled out from the grand doors of the event center.

A large banner hung overheard:

"Aviatux Annual Charity Gala: Empowering the Future of Aveston Technology"

Eddie's heart skipped a beat. The name Aviatux didn't sound familiar only...it was the company that had sponsored his scholarship and kept him afloat through all his hardships.

Feeling drained, he limped towards the entrance, a doorman hesitated only briefly before letting him through.

Inside, the opulence was overwhelming.

Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in golden lights, and attendees dressed in tailored suits and elegant gowns mingled with glasses of champagne.

Eddie saw San Roman, Nathan's millionaire father from a distance, he seemed to be deeply engrossed in business talks with his associates.

"The news might have gotten to him, I hope he doesn't get to see me." Eddie hoped with optimism. "All I need is to get some water and I'm out of here."

Eddie felt out of place, his torn clothes and bruised face stark against the elegance.

"Hey! Who let you in here?" a sharp voice barked.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm thirsty and I just....." Before Eddie could respond, a commanding voice cut through the air.

"Is there a problem here?"

All heads turned toward a tall, dignified man in a sharp suit. His silver-streaked hair and piercing gaze commanded respect.

It was the richest man in Aveston, Damien Aviatux, the founder and CEO of Aviatux Conglomerate Firms.

Eddie's breath hitched. He had seen Damien's face in company newsletters and sponsorship announcements, but the man's presence was overwhelming in person.

"This...this boy doesn't belong here, Mr. Aviatux. Permit me to kick him out!" Skarr, Damien's right hand man stammered.

Damien's eyes swept over Eddie's wrist bracelets, his expression unreadable. Then, his gaze softened.

"Let him be, Skarr," Damien said firmly. "He's my guest now."

Skarr's face buzzed with confusion as Damien approached Eddie, who stood frozen.

"What's your name, my boy?" Damien asked gently.

"E-Eddie... Eddie Celestial," he stuttered.

Damien's expression flickered emotionally, almost unnoticeable. He placed a hand on Eddie's shoulder.

"You look like you could use a meal and some rest. Come with me," Damien said, guiding him toward a quieter corner of the hall.

"Something tells me he's mistaking me for one of the guests. I think I should tell him. But it's not possible for a guest to dress this way." Eddie thought to himself, feeling uncomfortable.

As they sat, Damien signaled for food and water to be brought over.

Eddie hesitated but eventually took a sip, his parched throat grateful for the relief.

"Eddie Celestial," Damien repeated, as though testing the name on his tongue. "Where are you from?"

Eddie hesitated. "I... I don't know. I grew up in Celestial Orphanage. I don't know my parents."

Damien's face froze, but he quickly masked it with a calm demeanor.

"Maybe you will know your parents soon, my boy. Something tells you're my blood, my son that I thought had died." Damien's mind raced, his lips perking up slightly as he watched Eddie munch the food steadily

Only the Almighty knows when last he had a good meal like this.

"And how did you end up here today, like this?"

Eddie recounted the events of the evening-the dump that led to the fight, the arrest, and being abandoned outside.

Damien listened intently, his expression darkening with each word.

"You've been through a lot," Damien said finally. "But maybe, not anymore."

Eddie glanced up, surprised by the warmth in Damien's voice.

"I want to help you," Damien continued. "You can have my business card. Come to my office at Accorf 7-star hotel tomorrow, and we'll talk things out."