Heir vs Soldier

"So you’re saying a whole group of people is waiting for you? Do you really think you’re some kind of leader now? I was being polite, calling you a civil servant. Without that, you’re just another lousy worker. Got it?"

I was just about to retort when the class leader quickly grabbed my hand, whispering a plea. "Griffin, I think you’d better apologize to Malcolm. The Fitzroy Family is a leading enterprise here in Langston City. If you offend him, you might lose your job. Sometimes, it’s better to just endure."

Malcolm could make me lose my job? If I hadn’t stayed sober today, I’d almost think I was drunk.

Given my current rank, the only way to remove me from my position would be through a direct official order from higher authorities. No matter how wealthy the Fitzroy Family might be, even if their wealth rivaled nations, they couldn’t possibly have any real influence over me.

I gently patted the back of the class leader’s hand, signaling him not to worry.

"Malcolm, if your hostility toward me stems from the fact that I once had a crush on your fiancée, then let me make it clear. I have absolutely no interest in Thalianow. I suggest you focus your energy elsewhere. You and I are not the same kind of people."

I had planned to use this reunion as an opportunity to clear things up and resolve the misunderstanding with Malcolm. But it turned out his mind couldn’t process things that way.

He stared at me with bloodshot eyes. "Griffin, from the way you’re talking, are you saying I picked up some kind of trash? And my fiancée is a woman even you wouldn’t want? Also, what do you mean by ‘you and I aren’t the same kind of people’? Langston is full of businesses owned by my family. Who do you think you are?"

As soon as Malcolm finished speaking, Thaliaimmediately stepped forward to back him up. "Griffin, what do you mean by that? Do you think I’m no longer good enough for you now? You’re not leaving here today unless you explain yourself clearly."

Although that was indeed what I thought, I bit back the words to save them some dignity. "I don’t have time to chat with you two. Tell your people to open the door."

Despite Malcolm’s repeated provocations, I didn’t get angry. Instead, I chose to back down again and again. After all, this was a class reunion. I didn’t want to ruin the mood.

But just as I was about to leave, Malcolm’s bodyguards seized me firmly, blocking my way.

Malcolm strutted over, exuding arrogance and slapped my face with force. "You really think you’re somebody now, huh? Do you even know whose name this hotel carries? Back in school, weren’t you the one always tattling on people? Go ahead, make a call. I’d like to see if anyone’s still willing to help you now that we’re no longer in school."

Clenching my teeth, I locked eyes with him. "Malcolm, this is your last warning."

"Back in school, you were lazy and useless, always fighting or skipping class. I told the teachers for your own good. Now that you're an adult, remember to think about the consequences before you act!"

Malcolm’s eyes scanned the room, surveying our classmates. "You all heard that, right? He says I should think about the consequences, hahaha. Griffin, even if I ruin you today, what are you going to do about it? Do you really think being a top student makes you a big shot? Before you step out of here, you should’ve checked just how much weight the Fitzroy Family carries in Langston!"

I slowly lifted my head, holding back my anger with great effort. "Malcolm, have you ever heard the saying ‘There’s always someone bigger, someone stronger’? Some people are not to be trifled with."