The rise of the forgotten heir

but worse was the humiliation. The crowd still stand looking at the drama, though their murmurs had died down. He cou

naged to get one knee up, but his body felt weak, too battered to move quickly. His head

ng a figure of power and authority: Mr. Reynolds, the director of the school. He was impeccably dressed in a crisp suit, his hair neatly combed ba

ng, and always favored the wealthiest and most influential students. The fact

on Jason, still hunched over on the ground. His gaze was as hard as stone when it fel

silence like a knife. His eyes darted between the professor and the crowd,

voice dripping with false sincerity. "Jason here attacked

what happened!" he spat, struggling to stand fully.

and, silencing him.

non of them said a word. It was like they all haven't witnessed the humiliation, t

He wanted to scream, to make Reynolds see the truth, but he k

proval. "You're always involved in some kind of trouble, aren't you? And now, attacking one of o

wasn't fair. It had neve

rp, final. "You'll be suspended fo

ned in disbelief.

Mr. Walker. You're lucky I'm

to say something, but one look from Reynolds made her stop. She

da, standing beside him, gave Jason a pitying look, as though she was somehow the v

Reynolds continued, turning to walk away. "Now, ge

never forgive him for this. He'd already been on thin ice, struggling to keep up wit

e to Jason's ear. "Tough break, Walker," he whispered, a malicious

couldn't act on it. Not now. His fists trembled at his side

acle came to an end. Jason stood alone in the center of the courtyard

lost eve

e whispers of the other students, see the judgment in their eyes. They all saw him as a failure, as

itated for a moment, looking back at the campus that had once felt lik

t different, colder, lonelier. He didn't know where to go. His parents would be furious, and he ha

with thoughts of revenge, shame, and despair. He had lost Linda. He h

purpose, just a need to escape. The weight of his suspension clung to him like a heavy fog, clouding his thou

ble, the disappointment even worse. But where could he go? Ethan's lie ha

ticed, his mind still replaying the scene over and over-the smug look on Ethan's face, t

d windows gleaming in the fading light. Jason's heart skipped a