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 had to scrape by or feel the sting of rejection over something he couldn’t control.
But he knew it was a fantasy. In reality, he was just Max Reid—the poor orphan who worked his way into Harvold University, always on the outside looking in.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated, snapping him back to the present. The screen, cracked and barely functional from the fight, displayed an incoming call. He ignored it, assuming it was his dorm mates checking in. But the call came again. And again. Finally, after the fourteenth ring, frustration got the better of him.
He answered. “What?” he snapped, his voice rough with exhaustion.
“Good evening, Young Master Reid,” the voice on the other end greeted, polite and formal. “I apologize for the intrusion, but I need to speak with you urgently. May I pick you up and explain in person?”
Max’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Young Master? You’ve got the wrong person.”
The caller paused, then continued with unwavering politeness. “Sir, I assure you, there is no mistake. It is imperative that we meet. I’ll explain everything then.”
Suspicion prickled at Max’s thoughts. Was this some sort of prank? Or worse, was this David’s family coming to settle a score? But then again, what did he have to lose? With a resigned sigh, Max gave the stranger his location.
“Very good, sir. I’ll be there shortly,” the man replied before ending the call.
Nearly 40 minutes later, headlights illuminated the park’s entrance as a white and gold luxury car pulled up, sleek and gleaming under the moonlight. Max’s mouth dropped slightly at the sight. The vehicle was unlike anything he’d ever seen in person. The opulence of it all was almost overwhelming, making him feel painfully out of place.
A man stepped out, his clothes impeccably tailored, each accessory radiating wealth. He was in his late 40s, distinguished and sharp, his silver hair slicked back, a hint of expensive cologne wafting through the air as he approached Max.
Max’s pulse quickened, and panic surged through him. This had to be David Lesley’s father. Here to exact revenge, perhaps, for the public embarrassment of his son. Fear gripping him, Max dropped to his knees instinctively, his hands up in a gesture of surrender.
“Please, sir,” Max said, his voice trembling. “I… I didn’t mean for things to get out of hand. I’ll do anything to make it right. Just… don’t ruin my chances at school.”
The man’s eyes widened in alarm. He immediately bent down, gently gripping Max’s shoulder to help him up. “Young Master Reid, please! There’s no need for that. I would never dream of making you kneel.” His tone was filled with genuine concern, even a hint of fear.
Max blinked, thoroughly confused as he rose to his feet. “Young Master…? You’ve got the wrong guy. My name’s just Max. I’m nobody important.”
The man shook his head firmly, his expression one of utmost seriousness. “I assure you, sir, there is no mistake. My name is Gregory Harlan. I have been searching for you for years, and finally, I’ve found you.” He took a deep breath, his tone reverent. “You, sir, are far more important than you realize.”
Max stared at him, still struggling to make sense of it. “What… what are you talking about? I’m just a student. I have nothing, no family, no fortune.”
Harlan studied him with an expression of sympathy. “Young Master, there is much about your past that has been hidden from you. You may not know it yet, but you are a member of a very distinguished family.” He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. “Your family has been searching for you for a long time. You are… the last direct heir of the Reid lineage.”
Max felt a rush of dizziness, his legs weak as the words hit him. “My… family?” The word felt foreign, almost unreal. He’d grown up believing he had none, that he was completely alone. “But… that can’t be true. I’ve been an orphan my entire life. I’ve never had anyone.”
“I understand this is overwhelming, sir,” Harlan said gently, his voice filled with compassion. “But the Reid family has deep roots and considerable wealth. For reasons I cannot disclose yet, you were hidden away from the public eye. But now that you are of age, we can finally bring you home.”
Max took a shaky breath, struggling to process everything. “So… my family… they’re alive? They’ve been looking for me?”
Harlan nodded solemnly. “Indeed, sir. And as the last heir of the Reid family, your position holds immense significance. There are many who have awaited your return.”
Max was silent, his mind spinning with questions. All his life, he’d known hardship, loneliness, and struggle. And now, suddenly, he was being told that he had a family—a powerful family—and that he’d been missing from their lives all along. The idea seemed impossible, like a cruel trick or a dream he’d soon wake from.
“But… why now?” he managed to ask, his voice barely above a whisper. “Why find me after all this time?”
Harlan’s gaze softened. “The timing is not ideal, I know. But circumstances required that you be raised away from the family. And now, it’s finally safe to bring you back.”
Max looked down, his hands clenched tightly at his sides. Part of him still refused to believe it, afraid to get his hopes up. He’d spent years building walls around his heart, preparing himself to face the world alone. Yet here was this stranger, offering him a place he’d never dared imagine—a family, a lineage, a chance at a life he never thought possible.
“I… I don’t know what to say,” Max admitted, his voice thick with emotion.
“There’s nothing you need to say, Young Master,” Harlan replied, his expression warm and reassuring. “All I ask is that you come with me. Allow us to show you the life you were meant to have.”
Max took a deep breath, letting Harlan’s words sink in. The weight of his past, the poverty, the struggle, the heartbreak—all of it seemed to fade slightly, replaced by a tentative glimmer of hope.
After a moment, he nodded. “Alright. I’ll come with you. I need to know the truth.”
Harlan smiled, visibly relieved. “Thank you, sir. You won’t regret this.”
As Max climbed into the luxurious car, the leather seats and opulent interior felt surreal, like something out of a dream. He gazed out the window, the city lights reflecting off the glass, his mind swirling with questions and emotions he could barely contain.
For the first time in his life, he felt as though he was stepping into something far greater than himself. And though uncertainty lay ahead, he was ready to face it.
As the car pulled away from the park and into the night, Max couldn’t help but wonder what his life was about to become.
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
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
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
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
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
The 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
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.
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.