The Long-Awaited Heir

Chapter 04 Mr. Sterling

Walter stands up abruptly, his brow furrowed, eager to defend his friend, “Excuse me, there’s an injustice happening here. Who are you, the new university inspector?”

Another colleague comments, “If Matt got into trouble with David Rocha, then that’s not an injustice, Walter!”

A girl says dismissively, “Yes, yesterday’s fight was spread on the campus social media, Walter. Haven’t you seen it yet?”

“I don’t have time for this nonsense!” Walter exclaims.

“Is that you Matthew Silva?” The fifty-year-old man slightly narrows his eyes, as if he already knew that whoever was speaking was a friend of the person he was looking for.

“No, I’m Walter Andrade.” Walter speaks boldly.

The surname Andrade should spark some interest in the middle-aged man, given that the Andrade family has a network of private clinics famous for serving people of all ages and social classes.

But the man didn’t change his stance, “I just came here to take Matthew Silva.”

The professor also notices that the man doesn’t come to the university often because he doesn’t know who Matthew is, “Are you recently starting as a prefect, sir...?”

“You can say that again.” The man answers just that.

His gaze fixed on Matthew who was still with a mix of curious and scared, “Am I supposed to assume I’m seeing the person I’m looking for?”

Walter glances at Matthew, but he nods and stands up, “Let it be, Walter. Thank you for your strength, but I must face whatever comes.”

“I’ll go with you—”

“Please, only Matthew Silva is being requested. Other people will be blocked by the rectory.”

Walter gives up and sits down with a huff. Yes, everyone knows that Rector Meirelles has his own internal rules and does not tolerate indiscipline.

Matthew collects his notebooks and puts them in his old, torn backpack, thinking that his days as a Business student are over, thanks to David Rocha making a false complaint, using his powerful surname.

However, if he would only have an opportunity to speak to the dean, then he would defend himself!

Along the way, the middle-aged man’s shoes echoed his steps, making the moment more sinister.

“Can I at least know what this is about?” Matthew tried, but curiosity got the better of him. Something seemed to be off... “Are we really going to talk to the dean?”

“We’re going to his office, correct?” The gentleman retorts without looking at him.

Matthew frowns, “For a rookie inspector, you’re quite familiar with the hallways and office locations of this massive university, huh?”

The man doesn’t respond. They climb the stairs and access the second floor, always in silence.

The students in the hallway on the second floor guessed that Matthew and the mysterious man were going to the rectory.

“Oh, what trouble did the grill cook get himself into this time?” That was more or less the general whisper.

Matthew and the middle-aged man arrived at a huge double door. The man took the liberty of opening it.

They both entered an office furnished with predominantly brown, wood, red, and chocolate colors. Matthew has already entered this space once and felt like he was on the set of the soap operas that LCN broadcasts. But now, Matthew feels like an unpredictable act...

As he approached the large mahogany desk, the man pointed to one of the upholstered chairs for Matthew to sit on.

“He’s coming right now.” He left.

Matthew tried to remember from the time inspectors led students to the dean’s desk the way he was led. For a few seconds, he felt like he was in a mansion, and the inspector acted like a kind of butler.

He turned back, but the door had been closed.

Matthew began to feel his heart racing. There was no longer any doubt: for him to receive this kind of attention, it could only have been David Rocha, that gossiper!

Matthew clenched his fists. Even if he had to write an email to Rocha Constructions or appear on Lisandro’s Show, he would continue with his higher education! No one would stop him from graduating.

Suddenly, the door opens again. Matthew is surprised by who enters.

It wasn’t Rector Meirelles.

The person who entered was a man so old that he could have been in his seventies. He, despite his age, was able to take firm steps, but not as agile as someone Matthew’s age. Maybe someone would help him walk, but at this moment, it seems that the old man decided to walk alone... As if it was something for Matthew to see.

The man was wearing a navy blue suit and tie, and Matthew felt an aura of power emanating from him. This gentleman must have been someone powerful in his youth, probably coming across Josias Rocha or the Fabray family.

He sits in the leather upholstered chair. As he has certain limitations, Matthew felt compelled to get up to ensure that the old man didn’t slip.

But the lord extended his hand, wrinkled but still powerful, “No need, young man. Thank you very much.”

Finally, the man manages to sit up. Then, he stands forward, rests his elbows on the desk, and rests his chin in his hands, scrutinizing Matthew with a sharp gaze.

Two blue eyes seemed to scan Matthew as if he were an object or supermarket product, reading the barcode on the register.

“Don’t you know who I am, young man?” The elderly man finally breaks the agonizing silence.

“No, sir, forgive me.” Matthew looks down, no longer able to look into those intimidating eyes.

“Sorry. I needed to know who you were.” The man breaks the pose from before and now leans back on the back of the chair, “And don’t feel guilty. I’m not much for appearing in the media. You’ve certainly heard more from my grandson.”

“Perhaps...?” Matthew raises his eyebrows as if to say ‘Tell me who you are, old man!’

“OK, enough suspense.” The old man continues, “I’m Abner Sterling. Does that name sound familiar to you?”

Matthew’s mouth drops open. YES! Abner Sterling! He is not only the owner of the university, but of the entire educational consortium that the Sterling family owns!

“Sir...” Matthew stands up, starting to sweat, “Look, I know I should control myself when it comes to David Rocha, but I didn’t expect to get into trouble with the owner of the entire college campus!”

“But what are you talking about, young man?” Abner narrows his eyes.

“I know that when it comes to influential families, you shouldn’t mess with them.” Matthew responds at a rapid pace, “I know my family is miserable and I had to apply for a scholarship to be able to study here. I know I risk losing everything for messing with that bast— with Mr. David Rocha. But—”

Abner gestures, “Young man, would you please slow down your words? I can’t keep up.”

Matthew seems to have heard the opposite, because now he speaks faster, louder, and gesturing as if he were a sign language interpreter, “OH! I’m sorry, Mr. Sterling, I’m so sorry—”

“Sit down.” The index finger of Abner’s right hand was enough to silence Matthew as if he had pressed ‘STOP’ on a cassette player.

Matthew, in turn, automatically obeys.

Abner takes a deep breath, “I feel like we’re going to have to start all over again. Are you Matthew... Silva?”

“A meaningless surname here in Blue Cove, I know.” Matthew nods, feeling a lump in his throat, “I know I don’t have the qualifications to face someone from the Rocha family.”

“I don’t need to tell you about who the Rocha family is.” Abner didn’t ask, he certified.

“Yes sir.” Matthew nods like an obedient child.

“Then why did you fight him?” Abner asks.

“You already know about the accusation, so I’ll tell you my version of the facts.” Matthew, from here on, has a firmer voice, “Yesterday, Mr. David Rocha and some friends showed up at the kiosk where I work after my classes. He was bothering the waitress who, by the way, is my friend. As she seemed to be uncomfortable, I wanted to defend her, demanding that Mr. Rocha take his hands off her.”

“And because of that, the fight occurred?” Abner asks interestedly.

“What fight?” Matthew, without thinking twice, put his hand on the hem of his shirt and lifted it, showing his ribs, “I had to hide this from my mother. She’s a widow and was coughing when I left the house.”

“I understand. That’s an ugly mark.” Abner puts his hand on his chin.

“Patricia fell to the ground anyway, I crouched down to see if she was okay, and the coward took the opportunity to kick me. Oops, I meant—” Matthew puts both hands over his mouth.

“You don’t need to say another word.” Abner gestures ‘enough’.

“So that’s it? Will I lose my scholarship?” Matthew leans forward, sweat once again dripping from his forehead.

Abner narrows his eyes, noticing the young university student’s anxiety and distress. He also notes how poorly dressed he is. He mentioned a widowed mother...

“You said your mother is a widow? Hasn’t she remarried?” Abner suddenly asks.

On another occasion, perhaps even with the dean, Matthew would say this was a personal matter. But when it came to Abner Sterling, he didn’t want to leave the old man without an answer, “No, sir. She’s not over it. And I need to find a way to buy some medicine for her because I don’t think her cough is normal.”

“I hope you make it, young man.” Abner shakes his head slightly as if he is saying ‘focus’.

But Matthew couldn’t help but notice a slight interest in the university owner.

Abner takes a binder that was on the desk. Matthew dared to crane his neck and realized, astonished, that it was his school record.

Does Mr. Sterling intend to tear everything up in front of him by announcing his expulsion from Sterling University?