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2024-10-31 14:46:58The dorm room was filled with laughter and jokes, the four friends sprawled across the couches, unwinding after a grueling week of classes. Max Reid sat on the edge of his bunk, his mind elsewhere, though he offered the occasional nod and smile.
“You guys see that Porsche in the parking lot this morning?” Dan asked, his eyes widening. “That’s David Lesley’s new car—the Carrera GT. Man, two million dollars. Can you even imagine?”
“Lesley’s living the life we all wish we had, huh?” muttered Jake, shaking his head in disbelief.
Just then, their dormmate, Ethan, burst into the room, panting with excitement. “Guys! David Lesley is proposing to Lily Ginn right now—on live stream!” He held up his phone triumphantly, opening the Groove app, where the proposal was indeed trending.
“Are you serious?” Dan leaned in, his eyes glued to the screen. “This guy doesn’t waste time.”
Max, however, remained seated, his expression neutral. Lily wouldn’t say yes, he told himself. She’s with me. She told me so.
“Come on, Max!” Jake called, waving him over. “You’re missing campus history here!”
Max sighed, glancing over reluctantly. He trusted Lily, he reminded himself, but he couldn’t deny his curiosity. “Fine,” he muttered, moving closer.
The stream showed David standing at the center of the Sky Golden Hotel’s lavish dining hall, a place where every meal likely cost more than Max made in a month. David was dressed in a sleek black suit, his every gesture exuding confidence and wealth. He held a microphone as he looked at Lily with adoration, drawing in cheers and applause from the onlookers.
“Look at this setup,” Ethan muttered, marveling. “Can you imagine the price tag? They say just reserving a spot at that hotel can set you back ten grand. Ten grand—for a table!”
Jake snorted. “No wonder Lily’s got every reason to say yes. Who wouldn’t? Lesley’s loaded!”
Max’s stomach twisted. He and Lily had shared modest dinners, quiet moments where she’d insisted their connection went deeper than money. She’s not swayed by this stuff, he thought, forcing himself to believe it.
Then David’s voice broke through the screen, amplified across the restaurant. “Lily, I don’t just want you to be my girlfriend… I want you to be by my side, forever.”
The boys leaned closer, completely engrossed in the spectacle. Max’s heart pounded. She’s going to turn him down, he thought, clinging to the hope. We’ve been dating. She told me it was real.
Lily blushed as David lowered himself to one knee, holding out a glittering diamond ring. Her expression softened, and she reached out her hand, letting him slide the ring onto her finger.
“No way!” Dan’s voice cut through Max’s thoughts. “She actually said yes!”
Max felt his throat tighten as he watched Lily beam up at David, her eyes sparkling as she whispered something he couldn’t make out. A murmur went through the crowd, but it was David’s next move that shattered Max’s last hope.
David leaned in, and with everyone watching, kissed her—long, deep, and full of passion. The audience cheered, the live comments exploding with congratulatory messages.
She agreed… just like that? Max thought, his heart sinking. She hadn’t hesitated, hadn’t looked back.
“Did you see that kiss?” Jake grinned, nudging Max. “Lesley scored big time!”
Max quickly wiped his cheeks, hoping his friends hadn’t noticed the silent tears that had fallen. But the screen’s glare still highlighted the painful truth he couldn’t escape. All those moments we shared, the promises… Was it all just lies?
Ethan laughed. “Man, Lesley is the luckiest guy alive. Who’d have thought? Lily Ginn and David Lesley—Harvold’s newest power couple!”
The laughter, the excitement—it was too much. Max felt his chest constricting as he stood abruptly. “I… need some air,” he muttered, barely able to keep his voice steady.
He turned and walked out of the dorm room, leaving his friends absorbed in the stream. He could still hear their laughter echoing down the hall, each chuckle piercing his already shattered heart.
Outside, Max found himself drifting toward the city, toward the Sky Golden Hotel where Lily and David were celebrating their new relationship. How could she do this? The question spun in his mind. She told me we needed to keep things private, that she wanted to protect what we had. All the time he had spent, six months just to gain her trust, only to lose her in one night to a man she barely knew.
As he neared the hotel, he could see the lights of the lobby illuminating the evening streets. The glamour of it all was daunting, a sharp reminder of just how far apart their worlds were. But Max pushed past the ache, his determination hardening.
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THE RETURN HEIR Chapter 02
Max stood outside the Sky Golden Hotel, the grandeur of the place pressing down on him like a weight. Gleaming marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and a valet line filled with luxury cars—it was a world far removed from his. He’d come here for answers, but just standing in front of the hotel made him feel as if he didn’t belong, like an intruder in a place meant for people who had everything he didn’t.As he stood, taking in the sight, his heart clenched at the sight of David Lesley stepping out of the hotel lobby with Lily on his arm. David was laughing, whispering something that made Lily giggle—a carefree, dazzling smile lighting up her face. Max couldn’t remember her looking like that with him. She’d always seemed happy, but this… this was different.Was I never enough for her? he thought, the question heavy in his chest.Gathering his resolve, Max moved forward, his eyes focused on Lily. She froze as she spotted him, the smile slipping from her face, replaced by a look of panic.
THE RETURN HEIR Chapter 03
Max stood outside the Sky Golden Hotel, every word Lily had spoken replaying painfully in his mind. Her cold, indifferent voice cut deeper than he’d ever imagined possible. The woman he had poured his heart into had ended their relationship publicly, dismissing him as easily as a stranger."Lily… why would you do this to me?" he asked, his voice breaking.Lily sighed, her gaze flat and uncaring. “Max, I’ve made it clear. I need a life that you could never give me. David can. I’m with him now, and it’s for the best.” Her words dripped with finality, her disinterest a knife twisting in Max’s chest. She met his gaze one last time, her voice as cold as her stare. “Goodbye, Max.”Max felt the weight of her rejection, his chest tight and breaths shallow as he struggled to process the betrayal. But before he could even respond, David stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Lily, a smirk on his face.“Looks like you’ve been dumped, Max,” David sneered, folding his arms.
THE RETURN HEIR Chapter 04
Max sat in the back of the police car, staring blankly out the window as the city lights blurred past him. The events of the night replayed in his mind, each memory piercing like a fresh wound. Lily’s cold, dismissive voice. David’s taunts. The betrayal, public humiliation, and the stinging slap from the security guard. It all left him feeling hollow, his heart shattered beyond repair.The silence in the car was heavy, punctuated only by the crackle of the police radio. The reality of what he’d done was beginning to settle, but he didn’t have the energy to regret it. The pain and anger had taken over, leaving him with nothing but a numb sense of loss.When they arrived at the police station, Max barely registered the officers as they led him inside, processing him with a detached efficiency. After a brief wait, an officer sat him down and placed a form in front of him.“Max Reid,” the officer said, looking down at the paper, “you’re being charged with assault, battery, disruption of b
THE RETURN HEIR Chapter 05
Max wandered the empty streets, his mind adrift, every step heavy with exhaustion. The day’s events weighed on him, each memory sharp and unrelenting. Lily’s betrayal replayed in his mind like a cruel joke, her words lingering, hollow and cold. David’s smug expression, the laughter of onlookers, the sting of the police slap—they all reminded him of his limitations, his lack of status, and the poverty that defined his life.He soon found himself in a quiet park, a sliver of peace amid the chaos. The moon cast a gentle glow over the trees and empty benches, giving the place a sense of calm he hadn’t felt in ages. Max sank onto one of the benches, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees as he buried his face in his hands.What if things were different? he wondered, a fleeting, desperate thought. If he had the wealth that people like David flaunted, would Lily have stayed? Would he be sitting here now, alone and humiliated? In his mind, he pictured a life of luxury, a life where he never
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Max sat in the plush leather seat of the Rolls-Royce, the hum of the engine barely audible as they glided along the highway. He stole glances around the car’s interior, marveling at the intricate details, the polished wood panels, and the soft ambient lighting. This was wealth beyond anything he’d ever imagined, beyond even the flashiness of David’s Porsche. Still, his mind was a swirl of questions and disbelief. Who was this “master” Kevin kept mentioning, and why did they want to meet him?Kevin, seated across from Max, maintained a respectful silence, sensing Max’s hesitation. After the initial few questions, Max had stopped asking anything altogether, still half-convinced he was part of some elaborate joke or, worse, a setup. But Kevin’s sincerity and unwavering politeness had left him curious enough to follow through.After what felt like an eternity, the car slowed, pulling through massive, ornate golden gates with the word “Reid” crafted in elegant letters across the top. Max s
THE RETURN HEIR Chapter 07
Max stared at the documents spread out before him, the intricate logos of renowned companies gleaming up from the pages. His hands shook as he flipped through the lists, each name sending a fresh wave of disbelief washing over him.“Groove Inc.,” he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. The very platform that had broadcast his humiliation with Lily and David. And now… he owned it?Next came another familiar name: Nix Inc. He remembered researching it for a project at university—a global powerhouse with groundbreaking innovations in tech. He’d spent hours analyzing their business strategies, marveling at the sheer scale of their operations, yet he’d never even imagined his life would intersect with theirs like this.“Groove, Nix, Ember Oil, Apex Luxuries…” Max’s mind reeled as he skimmed through the assets his family controlled, each company more influential and financially commanding than the last. Hotels, tech giants, oil companies, mineral mines, and luxury brands—all connected, all
THE RETURN HEIR Chapter 08
Sunlight filtered through the elegant curtains, casting a warm glow over the luxurious room where Max had slept for the first time. He sat up, taking in the intricately carved furniture, the plush carpet beneath his feet, and the massive windows overlooking the sprawling estate. It all felt surreal. Just yesterday, he’d been worrying about making rent and finding enough to eat. Now, he was surrounded by opulence he’d only ever seen in magazines.Max stood and made his way to the bathroom, turning on the shower. The warm water washed away his fatigue, but his mind continued to spin as he processed his new reality. Yesterday, he thought, I couldn’t even imagine coming up with $5,000 to get out of jail. And now I own companies worth billions.Once he was dressed, he looked at his reflection in the mirror, his old clothes starkly contrasting with the refined surroundings. A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Kevin, his grandfather’s butler, entered, bowing slightly. “Good mor
THE RETURN HEIR Chapter 09
As Max held the sleek black card in his hand, his grandfather extended another envelope toward him. “There’s also a transfer to your regular bank account,” Mark said, his gaze steady.“Consider it some pocket money. It should cover your immediate expenses and allow you to… adjust to acting like the head of the consortium.”Max opened the envelope, revealing a card with his usual bank’s logo and a printed balance receipt. His eyes widened at the amount. Pocket money, his grandfather had called it, but to Max, it was an unfathomable sum—more than enough to settle his debt to his friends, buy clothes, and support himself for years if needed.This was a different world, a world where “pocket money” carried more zeros than his lifetime of savings combined.He took a deep breath, a mixture of excitement and anxiety churning within him. “Thank you, Grandfather. I’ll… I’ll do my best to manage everything responsibly.”Mark’s gaze softened, pride evident in his expression. “I know you will, M
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Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10Max pushed open the door to his dorm room, a surge of warmth flooding him as he was greeted by his friends. Rudd, Greg, and Marcus instantly sprang to their feet, bombarding him with a mix of hugs, playful punches, and shouts of relief.“Max! Where the hell have you been, man?” Rudd exclaimed, clapping him on the shoulder. “We’ve been freaking out since you left.”“Yeah,” Marcus chimed in, grinning as he grabbed Max in a bear hug. “You had us thinking you were gone for good or something!”Max couldn’t help but laugh, his heart swelling with gratitude. It was comforting to return to familiar faces, the friends who had been his family through thick and thin. For a moment, he forgot all about the grandeur of the mansion, the Bugatti, the millions of dollars—these were the people who’d stood by him long before he’d known the truth of his heritage.“We even got you something,” Greg added, gesturing toward the small table in the corner, where a box of Tasty Fried Chicken sat, fil
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Chapter 09
As Max held the sleek black card in his hand, his grandfather extended another envelope toward him. “There’s also a transfer to your regular bank account,” Mark said, his gaze steady.“Consider it some pocket money. It should cover your immediate expenses and allow you to… adjust to acting like the head of the consortium.”Max opened the envelope, revealing a card with his usual bank’s logo and a printed balance receipt. His eyes widened at the amount. Pocket money, his grandfather had called it, but to Max, it was an unfathomable sum—more than enough to settle his debt to his friends, buy clothes, and support himself for years if needed.This was a different world, a world where “pocket money” carried more zeros than his lifetime of savings combined.He took a deep breath, a mixture of excitement and anxiety churning within him. “Thank you, Grandfather. I’ll… I’ll do my best to manage everything responsibly.”Mark’s gaze softened, pride evident in his expression. “I know you will, M
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Chapter 08
Sunlight filtered through the elegant curtains, casting a warm glow over the luxurious room where Max had slept for the first time. He sat up, taking in the intricately carved furniture, the plush carpet beneath his feet, and the massive windows overlooking the sprawling estate. It all felt surreal. Just yesterday, he’d been worrying about making rent and finding enough to eat. Now, he was surrounded by opulence he’d only ever seen in magazines.Max stood and made his way to the bathroom, turning on the shower. The warm water washed away his fatigue, but his mind continued to spin as he processed his new reality. Yesterday, he thought, I couldn’t even imagine coming up with $5,000 to get out of jail. And now I own companies worth billions.Once he was dressed, he looked at his reflection in the mirror, his old clothes starkly contrasting with the refined surroundings. A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Kevin, his grandfather’s butler, entered, bowing slightly. “Good mor
- THE RETURN HEIR
Chapter 07
Max stared at the documents spread out before him, the intricate logos of renowned companies gleaming up from the pages. His hands shook as he flipped through the lists, each name sending a fresh wave of disbelief washing over him.“Groove Inc.,” he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. The very platform that had broadcast his humiliation with Lily and David. And now… he owned it?Next came another familiar name: Nix Inc. He remembered researching it for a project at university—a global powerhouse with groundbreaking innovations in tech. He’d spent hours analyzing their business strategies, marveling at the sheer scale of their operations, yet he’d never even imagined his life would intersect with theirs like this.“Groove, Nix, Ember Oil, Apex Luxuries…” Max’s mind reeled as he skimmed through the assets his family controlled, each company more influential and financially commanding than the last. Hotels, tech giants, oil companies, mineral mines, and luxury brands—all connected, all
- THE RETURN HEIR
Chapter 06
Max sat in the plush leather seat of the Rolls-Royce, the hum of the engine barely audible as they glided along the highway. He stole glances around the car’s interior, marveling at the intricate details, the polished wood panels, and the soft ambient lighting. This was wealth beyond anything he’d ever imagined, beyond even the flashiness of David’s Porsche. Still, his mind was a swirl of questions and disbelief. Who was this “master” Kevin kept mentioning, and why did they want to meet him?Kevin, seated across from Max, maintained a respectful silence, sensing Max’s hesitation. After the initial few questions, Max had stopped asking anything altogether, still half-convinced he was part of some elaborate joke or, worse, a setup. But Kevin’s sincerity and unwavering politeness had left him curious enough to follow through.After what felt like an eternity, the car slowed, pulling through massive, ornate golden gates with the word “Reid” crafted in elegant letters across the top. Max s
- THE RETURN HEIR
Chapter 05
Max wandered the empty streets, his mind adrift, every step heavy with exhaustion. The day’s events weighed on him, each memory sharp and unrelenting. Lily’s betrayal replayed in his mind like a cruel joke, her words lingering, hollow and cold. David’s smug expression, the laughter of onlookers, the sting of the police slap—they all reminded him of his limitations, his lack of status, and the poverty that defined his life.He soon found himself in a quiet park, a sliver of peace amid the chaos. The moon cast a gentle glow over the trees and empty benches, giving the place a sense of calm he hadn’t felt in ages. Max sank onto one of the benches, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees as he buried his face in his hands.What if things were different? he wondered, a fleeting, desperate thought. If he had the wealth that people like David flaunted, would Lily have stayed? Would he be sitting here now, alone and humiliated? In his mind, he pictured a life of luxury, a life where he never
- THE RETURN HEIR
Chapter 04
Max sat in the back of the police car, staring blankly out the window as the city lights blurred past him. The events of the night replayed in his mind, each memory piercing like a fresh wound. Lily’s cold, dismissive voice. David’s taunts. The betrayal, public humiliation, and the stinging slap from the security guard. It all left him feeling hollow, his heart shattered beyond repair.The silence in the car was heavy, punctuated only by the crackle of the police radio. The reality of what he’d done was beginning to settle, but he didn’t have the energy to regret it. The pain and anger had taken over, leaving him with nothing but a numb sense of loss.When they arrived at the police station, Max barely registered the officers as they led him inside, processing him with a detached efficiency. After a brief wait, an officer sat him down and placed a form in front of him.“Max Reid,” the officer said, looking down at the paper, “you’re being charged with assault, battery, disruption of b
- THE RETURN HEIR
Chapter 03
Max stood outside the Sky Golden Hotel, every word Lily had spoken replaying painfully in his mind. Her cold, indifferent voice cut deeper than he’d ever imagined possible. The woman he had poured his heart into had ended their relationship publicly, dismissing him as easily as a stranger."Lily… why would you do this to me?" he asked, his voice breaking.Lily sighed, her gaze flat and uncaring. “Max, I’ve made it clear. I need a life that you could never give me. David can. I’m with him now, and it’s for the best.” Her words dripped with finality, her disinterest a knife twisting in Max’s chest. She met his gaze one last time, her voice as cold as her stare. “Goodbye, Max.”Max felt the weight of her rejection, his chest tight and breaths shallow as he struggled to process the betrayal. But before he could even respond, David stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Lily, a smirk on his face.“Looks like you’ve been dumped, Max,” David sneered, folding his arms.
- THE RETURN HEIR
Chapter 02
Max stood outside the Sky Golden Hotel, the grandeur of the place pressing down on him like a weight. Gleaming marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and a valet line filled with luxury cars—it was a world far removed from his. He’d come here for answers, but just standing in front of the hotel made him feel as if he didn’t belong, like an intruder in a place meant for people who had everything he didn’t.As he stood, taking in the sight, his heart clenched at the sight of David Lesley stepping out of the hotel lobby with Lily on his arm. David was laughing, whispering something that made Lily giggle—a carefree, dazzling smile lighting up her face. Max couldn’t remember her looking like that with him. She’d always seemed happy, but this… this was different.Was I never enough for her? he thought, the question heavy in his chest.Gathering his resolve, Max moved forward, his eyes focused on Lily. She froze as she spotted him, the smile slipping from her face, replaced by a look of panic.