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 stared, wide-eyed, as they passed into the estate. Trees lined the driveway, leading to sprawling lawns and gardens that seemed to glow under the moonlight. A fountain in the center of the drive sparkled with lights reflecting off the water, and the entire scene felt like something out of a dream—or perhaps a fairy tale.
Kevin glanced over and, noticing Max’s awestruck expression, gave a slight smile. “Young Master Reid,” he said gently, “I assure you, this estate is far from the pinnacle of your family’s wealth. This is simply one of many residences.”
The comment only heightened Max’s disbelief. He had grown up with nothing, scraping together what he could to get by. And now he was being told this entire estate, with its endless luxury, was just a minor piece of his supposed family’s assets?
Kevin parked the car in front of the mansion’s towering entrance, where two grand doors opened automatically. Inside, the halls were filled with priceless art and sculptures, each piece glowing softly under carefully placed lighting. Max’s gaze wandered over the paintings lining the walls, each telling a story of history, power, and elegance. His footsteps felt out of place on the polished marble floors.
As they walked down the corridor, Max’s eyes landed on a painting that stopped him in his tracks. It was a portrait of a couple, regal and composed, with familiar features that struck him deeply. The woman’s eyes held a gentleness, while the man’s gaze was intense and steady, almost challenging the viewer. There was something hauntingly familiar in their faces, an echo he couldn’t quite place, but he felt drawn to them, as if some part of him recognized these people.
Kevin waited respectfully as Max lingered before the painting. “Those are your parents,” he said softly, sensing Max’s question.
A pang of loss gripped Max, even though he couldn’t explain why. He’d grown up an orphan, resigned to never knowing his family, but seeing them here, painted and framed as part of this grand legacy, stirred something raw inside him.
“Why did I never know about them?” he whispered, more to himself than to Kevin.
Kevin’s face softened, a hint of sympathy breaking through his formal demeanor. “All will be explained soon, Young Master. I promise.”
Max tore his gaze from the portrait, nodding slightly, and continued down the hall, his heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and dread. They stopped before a tall door, and Kevin knocked twice.
A tired voice came from within. “Enter.”
Kevin bowed slightly to Max, gesturing for him to go first. “He’s waiting for you, sir.”
Max took a deep breath, steadying himself, and pushed open the door. The room was warm, lit by a crackling fire in the stone fireplace. Shelves lined with old leather-bound books filled the walls, and in the center sat a grand desk with a single man behind it.
The man looked up, his gaze piercing yet softened with a touch of sorrow. He was older, with silver hair and a weary expression, his face lined with the traces of years and experiences that Max couldn’t begin to fathom.
“Come in, Max,” he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. “I’ve waited a long time to meet you.”
Max stepped forward, his heart racing as he searched the man’s face, looking for some resemblance, some hint of familiarity. “Who… who are you?” he managed to ask, his voice barely above a whisper.
The man studied him for a moment before responding, his voice thick with emotion. “I am Reginald Reid, your grandfather.”
The words hit Max like a thunderbolt. “Grandfather?” he echoed, his mind racing. He had never imagined he had a family, much less one of such prominence.
Reginald nodded, his gaze filled with a mixture of pride and regret. “Yes, Max. You are my grandson, and the last direct heir of the Reid family.”
Max’s mind swirled with confusion. “But… why didn’t I know? Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
A flicker of pain crossed Reginald’s face. “There were… complicated reasons. When your parents passed away under tragic circumstances, it was decided that you should be raised away from the family, for your own safety. It was not an easy choice, but it was necessary.”
Max’s heart twisted at the mention of his parents. He’d spent his entire life thinking he was alone, an orphan with no ties, and now he was being told that his isolation had been a decision—a decision made without him, for reasons he couldn’t understand.
“But why now?” he asked, struggling to keep his voice steady. “Why bring me here after all this time?”
Reginald leaned forward, his expression serious. “Because the Reid legacy needs you, Max. You are the only remaining heir, and there are responsibilities that come with that. I know it may be overwhelming, but you were meant to inherit this life.”
Max looked down, grappling with the weight of his words. “I don’t know anything about… wealth, about power. I’m just… me.”
Reginald’s gaze softened. “I understand. But you are far more capable than you realize. I’ve followed your progress, seen your determination and resilience. You’ve achieved so much with so little. Imagine what you could do with the resources of the Reid family at your disposal.”
Max felt a surge of uncertainty and disbelief. He had always relied on himself, fought for everything he’d ever had. The idea of suddenly having a family, an inheritance, and a legacy felt impossible, like stepping into someone else’s life.
Reginald’s voice lowered, turning more compassionate. “I know this is a lot, Max. But you are not alone anymore. You have a family, a place to belong, and a purpose beyond what you’ve known.”
Max looked up, meeting his grandfather’s gaze. For the first time, he allowed himself to feel a sliver of hope, of possibility. “I don’t know if I’m ready,” he admitted, his voice soft.
Reginald nodded, his expression understanding. “You don’t have to be ready all at once. We’ll take it one step at a time. All I ask is that you give this a chance. Let us show you the life you were meant to have.”
Max swallowed, his mind racing. He had spent years believing he was destined for a life of struggle, and here was someone offering him a world of opportunity he’d never dreamed of.
After a long silence, he nodded. “Alright. I’ll try.”
A look of relief crossed Reginald’s face, and he extended his hand across the desk. Max took it, feeling a surge of warmth as his grandfather’s grip closed over his. It was a gesture of acceptance, of family—a concept he was only beginning to understand.
“Welcome home, Max,” Reginald said, his voice filled with pride.
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.
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