AXEL, THE LOST HEIR

Chapter 7 The Principal's Shock

* Ch 7 - The Principal's Shock*

Principal Oberon Collymore massaged his temples as he sat at his desk in his office.

Duncan Hillside High School was a heavy load to carry and manage as the principal, but he had to do it.

His brows furrowed. He chewed the tip of his glasses and put them back on.

He glanced through the list of top students he planned to award soon. He stumbled across Axel's name and nodded his head. He heard the news of Axel's expulsion and felt bad. He had so much hope for Axel.

He knew he could not undermine the command Elias gave as a senior member of the board. He had to comply. Elias Hardy, Hayden's father, was powerful on the board.

He felt contrite. He was the one who gave the expulsion verdict, even though he did not want to.

He gritted his teeth as he thought about how Axel must have felt all this while.

Oberon was known to be very friendly and sympathetic to students. Too bad his power was limited when the full board was involved.

He felt whittled of authority that day. He winced away, feeling abashed after he announced the verdict.

So far, Axel had done nothing but make the school proud with all his success in every subject. And yet this diabolical thing befell him.

He quickly recalled he had a meeting to host soon and got some paperwork ready.

He was bewildered about how he would walk freely in the school. The shame he felt would not go away.

He attempted to call his secretary, Dahlia Blair, before his phone rang.

He was startled when he checked the caller. It read: Birch Sallow.

He knew that name well. Birch was Ottiline's manager. Ottiline was the mother of Mateo, who was the owner of the school in the first place.

*Ten Years Ago*

Oberon walked into Mateo's office and bowed deeply. He had been waiting patiently for Mateo, who was rarely present at the school.

A new principal was needed to manage affairs while Mateo managed his other businesses.

His heart pounded against his ribs so loudly he could feel blood thrumming in his ears.

He had done his interview not directly with Mateo, but through Birch, his manager.

Birch and Mateo both sat down while he stood.

"You can have your seat, Oberon," Mateo's voice was calm and audible.

Damp sweat trickled down his skin to his jaw as he finally sat down after acting in a kowtow manner before Mateo.

"So, we examined your interview and we can say you are an aced candidate for the principal seat of Duncan Hillside High School," Mateo announced with elation.

Oberon felt on cloud nine. A huge smile spread across his face as he tried to suppress his joy, wanting to leap up and down.

It had always been his dream to become principal. When he served as a teacher for years, he was sceptical to apply, but he did when called upon.

"Thanks, boss. I am so grateful for this opportunity and I promise I won't let you down," his eyes popped open in excitement.

"Oh, sure. No problem. I believe in you. That is why I chose you. So no need to worry about anything," Mateo's amicable gaze lingered on Oberon.

"I need to attend a meeting in my other establishment," Oberon stood up, ready to leave, feeling like the luckiest man alive.

*Present Day*

"Oh! Manager Birch!" Oberon stuttered out of regard for Birch and the entire Bonneville family.

"Oh, Oberon. I am just calling to inform you that our young master will be living in the school hostel and he should get the best of everything as a student," Birch's voice reverberated through the phone.

"Oh?" Oberon stuttered, dumbfounded. He knew Mateo was the boss and was late. There was no young master. They never talked about any child when they were running things ten years ago.

"Yes. He was lost and now found. He is indeed the lost heir and should be treated well," Birch explained calmly.

"Oh! So, when did he come? I mean, I didn't hear about his arrival. Please forgive my manners," Oberon pleaded.

"Today. He was expelled today and returned today," Birch explained succinctly.

Birch was appalled himself. It was inexplicable how the lost heir of the Bonneville family could be expelled from his own school in the first place.

According to Birch, those expelled unlawfully were victims of people like Elias who influenced board members.

"He is Axel Dankworth as his foster surname, but now Axel Bonneville since his identity has been revealed," Birch explained.

"Oh my goodness!" Oberon stuttered, using his hands to stifle a shriek. His heart stopped.

"Yes. His identity must not be revealed. But also, he must not be treated as a lowly student," Birch caveated, his voice stern.

"Alright, I understand," Oberon nodded quickly in non-repugnance.

"So if you still love your job as principal, you will ensure he is protected no matter what happens," Birch added before cutting the call.

Oberon's jaw dropped. His eyes popped wide open in amazement.

He could not fathom what he just heard. Indeed he had committed a great crime by allowing Axel to go through all he went through without stopping it.

Indeed, Axel was the son of Mateo all this while, which meant he had the highest authority, even over Elias.

In a blur of shock, the office door burst open. Drew, Quinn and Charmaine rushed in.

"Principal Oberon! Axel just returned to school and is being assaulted by the Hardy Boyz again!" Drew gritted his teeth as he complained bitterly, breathing hard from running.

"What?" Oberon's face twisted. His shame turned into fury.

He stood up so fast his chair fell backwards.

"Where?" he barked, his voice shaking the office. "Where are they?"

"At the main school grounds! Hayden tore his return letter! He tore a letter signed by the Bonneville Foundation!" Charmaine added.

Oberon's blood boiled. He tore a document signed by the Bonneville Foundation? That was like tearing Mateo's own signature.

"Call security! Call Dahlia! Call everyone!" Oberon roared as he stormed out of his office, his gown flapping behind him.

He ran faster than he had run in ten years.

Because he knew if Birch Sallow arrived at the school grounds before him and saw the young master being bullied, he would not just lose his job as principal.

He would lose everything.

And at that exact moment, on the school grounds, Birch Sallow's black limousine was already pulling in, its tires screeching, its doors opening.

Hayden still held the torn pieces of Axel's letter, laughing, unaware that the owner of the signature he just tore was stepping out of the car behind him.