AXEL, THE LOST HEIR

Chapter 8

*Ch 8 - Apologize Or Be Suspended*

Oberon jolted at his desk as he heaved a shuddering grunt.

"What! How! When!" he barked succinctly, his voice shaking.

Drew nodded quickly. "Yes, Principal. We just departed from him after we exchanged greetings. Then news got to us that the Hardy Boyz attacked him again, so we had to report to you before taking the next step."

Oberon's knees became like rubber. He whimpered in distress.

His hands quivered as he heaved a heavy breath.

"Where is this happening?" he asked succinctly.

"At the school field," Drew, Quinn and Charmaine answered in unison.

Oberon waltzed out of his office immediately towards the school field with a plethora of anxious thoughts flushing through his mind.

Drew, Quinn and Charmaine followed briskly. They knew this time they must stand against the Hardy Boyz in a polemic manner. Enough was enough.

Oberon waltzed into the school field in a panicky manner. Even though his job as principal was threatened, that was not the core reason he wanted to do Birch's bidding.

Since he was given the post and was gleeful ten years ago, he knew he had to act in a kowtow manner to Mateo, even though Mateo was late. That included transferring such loyalty to his son, Axel. Mateo was generous to him, and now he had a chance to repay that generosity. He would not let it pass.

His veins popped as he got to the scene. The area was crowded with students who turned into spectators to watch what the Hardy Boyz would display that day.

He flashed a perfect scowl towards their direction.

They had not seen him yet. He gazed at Hayden. He was not surprised Hayden was behind all this.

Hayden was always in charge of unscrupulous activities when it came to bullying and he always used his group, the Hardy Boyz, as an excuse to perform such ruthless and barbaric acts.

He also knew another motivation for Hayden's behaviour was the fact that his dad was an entrepreneur and a member of the board while the rest of his gang's parents held high prestigious posts they bragged about.

All this while, Oberon had been respectful of this and had done nothing to cross their way. But this time, he had to do something. He could not watch the heir of his benefactor be beaten.

He rasped inwardly as he viciously marched into their midst to end their bullying.

"Would you stop that!" he rumbled abrasively. His voice boomed across the field.

Gertrude and the other teachers had also gathered around the scene when he got there. They were also polemic about what happened. If they had not just gotten to the scene, they would have put a halt to whatever was going on earlier.

Axel's collarbone tilted as he turned towards Oberon and paid his respect immediately. He also did the same to the teachers present.

He had dusted himself up. His stomach flipped because he had been in a fight with Hayden and stained his clothes with dirt.

Axel was a tad flustered that Oberon came to his defence. Most times it was not so, and it left him bewildered.

A part of him felt perturbed because it could be that his true identity as the long-lost son of Mateo and the lost heir was discovered, which he had been trying to be surreptitious about all this while.

"I am so sorry, Axel. Please forgive us. I am so sorry you have to be a victim of such barbaric and unscrupulous acts," Oberon's lips fell towards the floor as he spoke. His voice was genuinely sad.

He knew he was greatly perturbed about the situation and he would not let this moment pass him by.

Hayden and the entire Hardy Boyz were bewildered because it was uncalled for Oberon to do such a thing. Principal never shouted at Hayden before.

Oberon's eyes twitched as he darted his gaze towards them from Axel.

"How could you do such a thing? This must be the last time this will occur!" he growled belligerently, pointing his finger at Hayden.

"And what will happen if it repeats itself?" Hayden answered daringly. He was always the daring type. Even at the point of a threat, he would love to see what happens when he is indignant. His father protected him.

Oberon's eyes twitched in rage. He felt a wave of fury rising within him.

"If you ever do anything wrong, I mean any of your unscrupulous acts, you will be thrown out of the school permanently!" Hayden's incredulous expression mirrored the audacious words that left Oberon's lips.

Hayden's lips twitched upwards in amazement and he was already feeling irksome about the whole situation.

"Just repeat such an abrasive and impugning act and you will see if my words will be irrevocable," Oberon caveated as he fluttered his eyelashes, his authority finally showing.

Hayden battered his eyes and Silas held him to curb his anger. Hayden had always had his way since his father was a senior member of the board, so it was so frustrating for Oberon to talk to him in such a manner since it had never occurred before.

Everyone was flustered that Oberon was good to Axel and rumbled inwardly till Oberon spoke finally.

"Now! If you don't apologize to Axel, you will face suspension for a month!" his lips turned into a sly grin as he spoke. He knew how serious he was and that he was going to act in a finicky manner towards the entire Hardy Boyz no matter what happened.

Hayden's jaw dropped and Ryan held his arms to stave off the situation, but could not control him.

"You can't do this to me, Principal Oberon!" he yelled in distress, his face red.

Even though he was polemic about the matter, Oberon remained finicky and firm.

"I can. And I am waiting for you to apologize," Oberon retorted, smacking his lips, crossing his arms.

"Come on, Hayden, just do it. Do you want to get suspended?" Ryan mumbled into Hayden's ear, trying to calm him, but he was still polemic.

"No way! I won't!" Hayden growled abrasively, his voice echoing.

"Oh, so you would prefer to serve a month in suspension?" Oberon enquired curiously, his eyebrow raised.

"Oh definitely yes! I would rather do that than apologize to this Nordic shitwit!" Hayden shouted and stormed away with Ryan and the entire Hardy Boyz following suit. The crowd parted for them.

Silence fell. Then whispers.

Oberon turned to Axel, his expression softening instantly.

"Axel, are you alright? Come to my office. Now," he whispered gently, so only Axel could hear. "Birch is waiting for you there. He wants to see you."

Axel's eyes popped open. Birch was already here? At school?

He nodded and followed Oberon, leaving the stunned crowd behind.

Behind them, far at the edge of the field, a black limousine door closed quietly.

Birch Sallow had seen everything. He had seen the torn letter. He had seen Hayden's refusal to apologize.

And he was already dialing a number.

The number of Elias Hardy, Hayden's father.

Hayden had no idea he just chose a one-month suspension over an apology.

And that one choice would cost his father his seat on the board by sunset.