Vindication of the Rejected Heir

Chapter 9

Declan did not see Hannah throughout the following week. They only talked over the phone and he always looked forward to doing so after a long day at work.

He always had time for her. He would send her flowers and food at work. He was falling in love with her and he liked that she loved him back.

Daniel finally showed up at the office on a Thursday morning. He was not in the best of moods and scolded every staff that worked with him that day.

"I'm still the boss around here you know", he would say repeatedly, like he was not sure any longer of his place in the office.

He knew the gossip had started. People were slowly losing respect for him and he saw it. He was vexed for Declan and had not yet concluded how to deal with him just yet.

Declan on his side had sworn that he would not let Daniel go unpunished. He would begin with the house, the family's villa.

Every year, the whole family gathered there to celebrate the success of the family business and plan for a better future.

Business associates, investors, friends, and family usually attended the meeting, and Declan decided that he would show up.

After the supposed death of his father, he was seldom invited. He had panicked at first about attending the party, but his desire for revenge was more and he had to tend to it. He had decided to go with Hannah, his soon-to-be wife.

He had not asked her yet. He was looking for the perfect time and way to do so. She was special. He wanted it to be special for her.

On the morning of Friday, he was fully packed for the trip. He was dressed in cargo pants and a sweatshirt. Hannah had requested a few days' leaves in the hospital and would meet him at the airport where they would board his private plane.

She arrived just in the nick of time and he hugged her and kissed her gently on the lips. Their bags were taken and they boarded the plane.

They were the only ones inside, asides from the pilot, a hostess, and two guards. Hannah gleed with excitement. Her father was wealthy but not wealthy enough to own a plane.

She hugged Declan over and over again, grateful for the experience. He was glad he could make her happy.

The trip was short but they had enough time to talk more. She got to know another couple of businesses he owned, and he got to know that she was an entrepreneur too, asides from her job as a bedside nurse.

A car was waiting for them when they alighted the flight and took them to a luxurious hotel. Hannah squealed in excitement when she saw the view.

Declan only nodded in amusement. They went to grab food afterward and they were soon on their way to the family's villa, fully dressed for the event.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look?" He asked for the umpteenth time as they made their way to the entrance of the family villa.

"Like for the 100th time, but you can keep the compliments coming", she said holding up her dinner dress. He placed his hands on the small of her back as he led her in.

The magnificent family villa was still breathtaking. Declan took in the sight before him. The house stood tall on an estate of its own.

The fountain that stood in the middle of the compound blessed their gaze. It was extremely beautiful and magnificent.

He remembered coming here as a young child with his father, and he remembered running around the entire place with children of his age, kids whom others would refer to as trust-fund kids because they had very wealthy parents.

As they made their way in, everyone turned to stare at them. Paul and Patricia were there and when Patricia saw Hannah, she flashed her a dark look and headed toward her.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, slightly removing Hannah from Declan's grip.

"Declan asked me to come with him. We're together now. I thought you knew about that", Hannah replied calmly. Patricia had heard the rumors but she thought they were not true.

Being a nurse and in charge of the care of Lord Rowland may have made their bond. "You cannot be here", Patricia fired at her. "You can tell that to Declan yourself", Hannah said, not moved at all by her sister. Patricia stomped away angrily.

Hannah looked towards Declan.

He had a glass of champagne in his hand and was involved in a conversation with some investors. He had a small smile on his face and looked so good in a tux like he was born in it.

His eyes soon met hers and he gave her a reassuring smile. Hannah understand. He had to work.

Daniel finally appeared from the inner room. He was all smiles and was about to address the entire party when he saw Declan. He rushed towards him and grabbed him by the arm.

Declan pulled away making sure not to attract so much attention to himself. "What are you doing here?" Daniel asked him sternly. "It's a gathering of the business I now own", Declan said with an air of confidence.

"Yes, you may own the business and may even buy out our entire staff, but you're not invited to this party, and you're not welcome to this family because you don't have a place here", Daniel replied, his voice slightly raised.

He was beginning to attract a lot of attention and the guests had suddenly stopped to grasp what was going on. Little side talks had started and Daniel was fully aware of this.

"One more disrespectful word from you to me and I will ask them to throw you out", Declan said, with a tone heavily laced with anger.

He wished his speech was fluent enough. Hannah had enrolled him in a class that would help him, and he was getting better. He knew this.

"Throw me out?" Daniel asked with a scoff.

"That's what I said", Declan spoke with the least stuttering, surprising himself too.

"I would love to see you try", Daniel said, rushing towards Declan, in a bid to start a fistfight.

Two pairs of strong arms grabbed him just in time and held him back. The whole crowd was staring at them at this point, and Daniel looked embarrassed.

"You seem to have forgotten that I'm in charge now. I bought this company and everything associated with it including this house", Declan began to address him, while he struggled for release from the men that held him.

"And on no occasion should you step feet into this house with your family again", Declan finished with a tone of finality and signaled the men to take him away.

"You'll regret doing this to me. I promise you. I'll make you pay", Daniel shouted back as he was taken out of the house. Patricia held down her head in shame as she headed out too.

Declan turned around and his eyes scanned for Hannah. She was sitting by the bar with a drink in her hand. He knew she witnessed everything that happened.

He headed towards her and sat beside her. "I'm proud of you", she began. "You spoke up to Daniel yet again, you put him in his place". Declan smiled.

"You have that effect on me", he replied, holding out his hand in a request for a dance. The party had continued as if nothing occurred. The music was blaring and people were in groups involved in one business talk or the other.

The dance floor was not left out. Declan and Hannah were dancing already, looking into each other's eyes like they were the only ones there.