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 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.