The rise of the forgotten heir

Jason sat in the cramped corner of the café, staring down at his phone. His hands trembled as he scrolled through the list of expenses Linda had just sent him. He had been working two part-time jobs just to scrape by, and now, all of that hard-earned money was about to disappear into the virtual shopping cart of someone who didn't seem to care. He took a quick glance at Linda and could see her cold gaze fixed on him.

"Jason," Linda said, her voice sharp as she tossed her phone onto the table. "Pay for it. I added everything I need. You can handle that, right?" she asked nonchalantly

Jason hesitated, his heart thudding. It wasn't the first time he would have to empty his wallet,his savings just to please Linda and at the end, he got nothing in return but her cold attitude.

The total amount was suffocating-nearly his entire paycheck. He had just received his salary today, and most of it was already allocated for his tuition fee, which had been overdue for months. His university had given him an ultimatum: pay today, or he would be dropped from his classes. If he lost this opportunity, everything he had worked for would be gone.

"Linda, I just got paid today, but I need the money for my tuition," Jason said, trying to keep his voice steady. "If I don't pay it by tonight, I'll get kicked out of school. Is that really what you want?"

Linda rolled her eyes. "God, Jason, why are you always so poor? Every time I ask you to do something for me, there's always an excuse. I don't care about your stupid tuition. If you cared about me, you'd find a way." she said sharparly fodling her hands liej she didnt hear what Jason had just told her

Her words stung, cutting deeper than Jason wanted to admit. He had been with Linda for over a year now, and each time she belittled him, he thought it would be the last. He loved her-at least, he thought he did-but moments like this made him question everything. Still, the fear of losing her outweighed the pain of her insults.

"I'll figure something out," Jason muttered

Linda's phone buzzed on the table again. Out of the corner of his eye, Jason noticed a text message appear on the screen. The words that flashed across the phone made his blood run cold: "Miss last night? I can't stop thinking about you." he looked at he phone before him and back at Linda

Jason blinked, his stomach twisting in knots. His mind raced as he tried to process what he had just seen. Who would send Linda something like that? Before he could ask, Linda snatched her phone off the table and glared at him.

"What do you think you're doing?" she snapped.

"Who was that?" Jason asked, his voice trembling.

"That's none of your business," Linda hissed, shoving her phone into her bag. "You're so pathetic, Jason. Always snooping around, always acting like you own me when in reality you haven't actually done anything for me."

Before Jason could respond, Linda stood up and stormed out of the café, leaving him sitting there, humiliated. His heart raced as he scrambled to his feet, following her outside. He needed to know who sent the message.

The moment he stepped through the doors, he froze. A sleek, black luxury car was parked just outside the café. Standing next to it, dressed in an expensive designer suit, was Ethan-Jason's classmate and the son of one of the wealthiest families in the city.

Jason felt his breath catch in his throat as he noticed Ethan holding a massive bouquet. Only, it wasn't flowers he was offering-it was a bouquet of neatly rolled bills, cash fanned out like roses.

A row of bodyguards stood behind him, creating a scene as the surrounding students gathered to watch the drama unfold. Whispers and giggles filled the air, and Jason could hear the murmurs of admiration for Ethan's wealth.

"Is that Ethan? He's like the richest guy in town!"

"Look at that car. I heard his dad owns half the businesses around here."

"He's so lucky, and he's so good-looking too." One of the female students said again.

Jason clenched his fists, a wave of nausea rising in his chest as he realized what was happening. Ethan wasn't just here to flaunt his wealth-he was here for Linda.

Ethan smiled, offering the bouquet of cash to Linda, who had walked up to him with a playful, almost flirtatious grin on her face. She glanced at the money, her eyes widening in excitement, but she quickly tried to mask her enthusiasm with a coy expression.

"Ethan, you didn't have to do this," Linda said, though her tone betrayed how pleased she was.

Ethan chuckled. "Anything for you, Linda. You deserve only the best." he said turning his attention from the look on Jason's face to Linda who was now standing right in front of her

Jason couldn't believe what he was seeing. His stomach churned as Ethan and Linda stood there, exchanging flirtatious glances. It was as if he didn't even exist in that moment-as if Linda had forgotten everything about him.

Summoning whatever courage he had left, Jason stepped forward. "Linda, what's going on? What are you doing with him?"

Linda's smile faded as she turned to face Jason, her eyes filled with disdain. "Jason, go home. This is none of your business."

"What do you mean it's none of my business?" Jason's voice trembled with frustration. "We're-"

"We're what?" Linda interrupted, her voice dripping with venom. "Do you really think you matter to me? You're just some broke loser. I'm not your girlfriend, Jason. I never was."

Jason felt like the world had crumbled beneath his feet. Her words hit him harder than any physical blow ever could. He stood there, numb, as the students around them snickered and whispered.

Linda raised her hand and, before Jason could react, slapped him hard across the face. The sting of the impact paled in comparison to the humiliation that followed.

"You don't mean anything to me," she spat. "You never did."

Jason's ears rang as his vision blurred, not from the slap, but from the realization that everything he had believed about their relationship had been a lie. He had been used-nothing more than a convenient source of money.

Linda turned back to Ethan, completely ignoring Jason as if he were invisible. Jason stood there, the laughter and whispers of the crowd echoing in his ears, his world crashing down around him.

Jason stood there, feeling the heaviness of Linda's cruel words. His heart pounded, every beat hammering in the reality of what was happening. Just minutes ago, he was certain he could fix things between them, but now, with Ethan's arm wrapped possessively around Linda's waist, it felt like the ground beneath him was slipping away.

A part of him wished he could do something at the very least but he knew it was just a waste of time. He was a nobody compared to Ethan whose father could have his life out into misery with a single snap of his fingers.

Linda turned to him with a condescending smile, playing the role of the innocent girl caught in a misunderstanding. Her voice, dripping with fake sympathy, barely hid the venom behind her words.

"Jason," she began softly, like she was talking to a child, "I don't know why you keep doing this to yourself. You really need to stop chasing after me." Her eyes flickered to Ethan, who smirked. "I have a boyfriend now. You don't stand a chance."

Jason felt his blood run cold. "What?" His voice was sharp, filled with disbelief. "You never told me we were done. You've been stringing me along, making me think we still had something going on. What have I been to you all this while?" he asked with a croaking voice

Linda sighed dramatically, shaking her head as if she were tired of the conversation. "I didn't string you along. You just couldn't take a hint. Ethan's been my boyfriend for months. I've moved on, and it's about time you did too."

Jason's chest tightened as her words sank in. His hands curled into fists at his sides, his mind racing between the betrayal, the lies, and now, the public humiliation. He couldn't let her get away with this-not after everything he had sacrificed, all the effort he had put in just to make her happy.

Ethan, watching with a wide grin, took a step forward. "Man, don't make this harder than it already is. You really thought someone like Linda would stay with you forever?" He chuckled, the sound grating in Jason's ears. "Face it, you're not in the same league. Linda belongs with someone who can give her everything she deserves." He gestured around with a wave of his hand. "Everyone here knows it."

The crowd, watching silently, began whispering among themselves. Jason could hear their comments, each one like a blade to his heart

"Can't he see she's way out of his league?"

"He's just embarrassing himself now."

"What a creep. She's with Ethan, and he still won't leave her alone."

Jason could feel his skin burn with shame, but he wasn't going to let them turn him into a laughingstock without a fight. His gaze locked on Ethan, fury bubbling beneath the surface.

"You think your money makes you better than me?" Jason snarled, stepping forward, his voice rising. "You're just hiding behind it, thinking you can walk all over people. You don't even care about her. You just want to show off."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by Jason's outburst. "Oh, you think this is about money?" His smirk widened. "No, it's about knowing your place. And right now, your place is way beneath me. And as for the money, It is not my fault I was born rich." he said sliding on top of the car with Linda between his thigh

Without warning, Ethan stepped closer and spat directly at Jason's feet, the crowd gasping in shock at the blatant display of disrespect. Jason's face twisted in fury. His body tensed, his vision narrowing as anger consumed him. He could no longer hear the whispers or see the onlookers-all that existed was the overwhelming need to wipe that smirk off Ethan's face.

Before anyone could react, Jason's fist shot out, connecting squarely with Ethan's jaw. The impact sent Ethan stumbling backward, his hand shooting to his face in surprise. The crowd erupted into gasps and murmurs, some shocked by Jason's sudden aggression, others secretly cheering him on.

But Jason had barely a moment to savor the brief victory before Ethan's bodyguards, two large men dressed in black, rushed forward. In an instant, they grabbed Jason by the arms, holding him in place as he struggled to break free.

Ethan, recovering quickly, straightened up and touched his lip, finding a small drop of blood. His expression darkened, and his eyes blazed with anger. "You really shouldn't have done that," he hissed. He motioned to his bodyguards. "Hold him still."

Jason's heart pounded, but he refused to back down, glaring defiantly at Ethan. "You deserve it," he spat. "You both do."

Ethan chuckled, though there was no humor in it now. He approached Jason, his steps slow and deliberate, like a predator savoring its prey. "You're a fool, Jason. A broke, pathetic fool."

With a swift motion, Ethan landed a hard punch to Jason's stomach. Jason doubled over in pain, gasping for air, but the guards held him upright, refusing to let him collapse. Ethan's foot swung out, kicking Jason's legs from under him. He fell to his knees, barely able to stay upright as Ethan towered over him, his foot pressing down on Jason's shoulder, forcing him lower.

"You see?" Ethan said, raising his voice so the crowd could hear. "This is where you belong-on your knees, in the dirt."

The crowd was silent, watching as Jason was pushed further down, his face pressed against the ground. Some whispered among themselves, others looked away, unwilling to meet his gaze.

Jason groaned, struggling to lift his head, but the weight of Ethan's foot on his back was too much. The pain radiated through his body, but worse than that was the shame. The complete and utter humiliation of being so publicly crushed.

And yet, through the haze of pain and humiliation, a single thought pierced through: I won't stay down. Not forever.

Just as Ethan prepared to deliver another blow, a voice from the crowd broke through the tension. "What's going on here?"

Jason's heart skipped a beat. The crowd parted slightly, revealing a figure walking toward them with an air of authority. Ethan hesitated, his grin faltering, as a professor stepped into view, her eyes sharp with disapproval.

Jason's breath caught in his throat. This could change everything.

The professor's gaze swept over the scene-Jason on his knees, Ethan's foot on his back, the bodyguards looming behind them. Her eyes narrowed, and her voice was cold and cutting as she addressed Ethan.

"Get your foot off him, now."

For a moment, everything seemed to hang in the balance. Ethan looked down at Jason, his expression unreadable, before slowly removing his foot. The bodyguards let go of Jason, and he crumpled to the ground, gasping for air.

Jason lay on the ground, his chest heaving as he struggled to regain his breath. Every muscle in his body was in pain, but worse was the humiliation. The crowd still stand looking at the drama, though their murmurs had died down. He could feel their eyes on him, judging, mocking, pitying him. Ethan stood nearby, his face smug, confident in his victory.

As Jason attempted to push himself off the ground, his arms trembled beneath him. He managed to get one knee up, but his body felt weak, too battered to move quickly. His head throbbed, and the weight of his failure pressed harder on him than Ethan's foot ever had.

Before he could fully stand, the sharp sound of heels clicking against the pavement filled the air. The crowd parted once more, this time revealing a figure of power and authority: Mr. Reynolds, the director of the school. He was impeccably dressed in a crisp suit, his hair neatly combed back, and his expression severe. The professor who had come to Jason's rescue straightened immediately, stepping back to let the director take charge.

Jason froze. He knew Reynolds by reputation alone-the man was cold, calculating, and always favored the wealthiest and most influential students. The fact that Ethan's father was one of the school's top donors didn't bode well for him.

Reynolds' eyes scanned the scene, first landing on Ethan, who smiled innocently, then on Jason, still hunched over on the ground. His gaze was as hard as stone when it fell on Jason, and Jason's heart sank further. There would be no justice here. Not for him.

"What is the meaning of this?" Reynolds' voice boomed, cutting through the silence like a knife. His eyes darted between the professor and the crowd, then settled on Ethan, whose expression softened into one of feigned regret.

"It's really unfortunate, Mr. Reynolds," Ethan began, his voice dripping with false sincerity. "Jason here attacked me. I didn't want to fight, but he threw the first punch."

Jason's blood boiled at the blatant lie. "That's not what happened!" he spat, struggling to stand fully. "You've been tormenting me for weeks, and I finally-"

Reynolds raised a hand, silencing him. "Enough, Mr. Walker."

Jason looked around thinking one of the students was going to stand up for him but non of them said a word. It was like they all haven't witnessed the humiliation, the beating and the way Ethan had disregarded him. It was just like the didn't exist.

Jason's mouth snapped shut, his fists clenching at his sides. He wanted to scream, to make Reynolds see the truth, but he knew it was useless. The director had already made up his mind.

"I've seen this sort of behavior from you before," Reynolds said, his voice dripping with disapproval. "You're always involved in some kind of trouble, aren't you? And now, attacking one of our top students, someone whose family has done so much for this institution. I won't tolerate it."

Jason's heart sank. It wasn't fair. It had never been fair. "I didn't-"

"Enough." Reynolds' voice was sharp, final. "You'll be suspended for a month, effective immediately."

Jason's eyes widened in disbelief. "Suspended? But he-"

"I've heard enough excuses, Mr. Walker. You're lucky I'm not expelling you on the spot."

The professor, who had initially intervened, opened her mouth to say something, but one look from Reynolds made her stop. She quickly averted her eyes, offering no further defense for Jason.

Ethan watched the exchange with a smug grin, the glint of victory in his eyes. Linda, standing beside him, gave Jason a pitying look, as though she was somehow the victim in all this. Jason felt his chest tighten, but there was nothing he could do.

"I'll be speaking with your parents, of course," Reynolds continued, turning to walk away. "Now, get off the premises. You're no longer welcome here."

Jason stood frozen, the words echoing in his mind. His parents... his father would never forgive him for this. He'd already been on thin ice, struggling to keep up with the high expectations placed on him. This suspension was going to ruin everything.

As Reynolds walked away, Ethan stepped forward, leaning down close to Jason's ear. "Tough break, Walker," he whispered, a malicious grin on his lips. "Guess you're not as important as you thought."

Jason's vision blurred with anger and frustration, but he couldn't act on it. Not now. His fists trembled at his sides as he watched Ethan stroll away, hand in hand with Linda.

The crowd began to disperse, muttering among themselves as the spectacle came to an end. Jason stood alone in the center of the courtyard, his mind spinning with a mixture of fury, embarrassment, and despair.

He had lost everything.

As he walked toward the gates of the school, each step felt heavier than the last. He could hear the whispers of the other students, see the judgment in their eyes. They all saw him as a failure, as someone who had stepped out of line and been crushed under the weight of it. He was nothing to them.

The gates of the school loomed ahead, cold and unwelcoming. Jason hesitated for a moment, looking back at the campus that had once felt like his second home. Now, it was just another place that had rejected him.

With a heavy sigh, he pushed through the gates and left the school grounds. The world outside felt different, colder, lonelier. He didn't know where to go. His parents would be furious, and he had no friends left to turn to. Everyone had sided with Ethan. Everyone had chosen to believe the lie.

Jason wandered aimlessly for what felt like hours, his mind clouded with thoughts of revenge, shame, and despair. He had lost Linda. He had lost his place at school. He had lost everything he had worked for.

Jason's aimless walk took him far beyond the familiar roads around the school. His feet carried him without purpose, just a need to escape. The weight of his suspension clung to him like a heavy fog, clouding his thoughts. The further he wandered, the more desperate he became, each step leaving him more isolated than the last.

He knew he couldn't go home, not yet. His father's rage would be unbearable, the disappointment even worse. But where could he go? Ethan's lie had stripped him of everything-his reputation, his friends, even his dignity.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the pavement. Jason barely noticed, his mind still replaying the scene over and over-the smug look on Ethan's face, the pity in Linda's eyes, Reynolds' cold indifference. How could it all have gone so wrong?

Suddenly, a sleek black car pulled up alongside him, its tinted windows gleaming in the fading light. Jason's heart skipped a beat. " Who could this be?" he asked seeing the tinted glasses