The Hidden Heir

Chapter 5: Mr. Cutler

"What do you want?" The head guard, Eric Mattew, scrutinized Alexander with a hostile gaze.

"I'm here to see someone," Alexander replied truthfully.

"To see someone?" Eric scoffed, asking, "Do you even know where you are?"

"Blackwood," Alexander responded calmly.

"Damn right, it's Blackwood. You think you can fool us?" Eric laughed coldly. Alexander, dressed in clothes worth no more than a hundred dollars and riding a bike, how could he possibly have any connection to the residents of these villas?

Alexander frowned, not anticipating this kind of superficial judgment here. 

Seeing Alexander remain silent, Eric grew more arrogant, convinced he had exposed Alexander's true intentions.  

"So, who is it you're looking for? Mayor Smith, or Mr. Cutler?" Eric mocked. Jonatan Smith and Henry Cutler were the most well-known figures in Los Luminares, holding the city's highest political and financial power respectively. Many had tried to claim acquaintance with either to gain access to the hill, only to be exposed and taught a lesson by Eric.

"I'm here to see Henry Cutler. I bought a villa from him, and I'm here to check on it," Alexander sighed, knowing all too well that Eric Mattew was unlikely to believe him. However, he was willing to give Eric another chance. If Eric allowed him in, he could act as if nothing had happened, especially since he planned to live here in the future.

As expected, the response was a burst of unrestrained laughter from the security guards.

"Did you hear that? This i***t says he bought a villa from Mr. Cutler," Eric laughed so hard he doubled over.

"This i***t must be out of his mind. Does he not know that even if he sold all his possessions, he couldn't afford a patch of grass here?" The other guards joined in the mockery.

The guards laughed uproariously, having encountered many braggarts before, but never one who claimed to have bought a villa on Blackwood right off the bat.

Alexander shook his head, amused and bemused by the guards' reaction.

"Alright, man, I don't waste my time on clowns like you. Get lost. This isn't a place for you," Eric finally said after his laughter subsided, waving Alexander off as if shooing away a fly.

Typically, Eric's temper would have ensured Alexander received a beating as a reminder of his place. However, considering the joy Alexander had brought them, Eric felt magnanimous enough to let him off the hook.

***

Meanwhile, inside a villa, Winston Carl paced back and forth in a luxurious living room, followed by an imposing figure. His skin bore a bronze hue, with tattoo patterns peeking out from under his shirt, giving off a gangster vibe. At first glance, one might not associate him with being Los Luminares's wealthiest man, Henry Cutler.

"When will Mr. Wealthington arrive?" Cutler was visibly nervous. After hearing from Winston that the Wealthington family's heir would be visiting, he hadn't slept all night. Unsure of Alexander's temperament and approachability, Cutler felt uneasy.

While Cutler was known as the city's wealthiest, he was well aware that his status in Los Luminares paled in comparison to the superlative Wealthington family.

Winston was also unsettled. Over an hour had passed since he called Alexander, who should have arrived by now. when he was still hesitant to call again and possibly upset Alexander, his phone rang.

"Mr. Wealthington!" Winston answered.

"I'm stopped," Alexander stated simply before hanging up.

Winston looked puzzled. Who stopped him?

***

"Hey, I told you to scram. Are you deaf?" Eric's annoyance spiked when Alexander ignored him and dared to make a phone call right in front of him.

Alexander offered a smile that wasn't quite a smile and asked, "You want me to leave?"

"What, you want me to kick you out?" Eric sneered, cracking his knuckles threateningly before kicking Alexander's bike, shattering the bike     Alexander had relied on for three years.

Alexander's brow furrowed, dissatisfied expressions on his face while Eric called other guards to surround him.

"I've given you enough respect, and now I'm not satisfied. You're not leaving today," Eric declared arrogantly, convinced Alexander was nothing but a pushover.

"Are you sure?" Alexander approached Eric with a smile.

"What, you think you can fight back?" Eric laughed hard, feeling more convinced of Alexander's foolishness.

Though just a security team leader, Eric was employed by the wealthiest person in Los Luminares, Henry Cutler. With such backing, he felt empowered to make life difficult for a mere pizza delivery guy. In this territory, without the Cutlers' say-so, his word was law.

As Eric raised his fist to strike Alexander, his hand was suddenly seized firmly. A slap then landed on his face, followed by a familiar visage.

"Mr... Mr. Cutler?" Eric's mind reeled, his tongue nearly tying itself in knots. The person before him was none other than Los Luminares's renowned wealthiest individual, Henry Cutler!