Chapter 2 The Rich Heir
1338 Words
Unexpectedly, Mark withdrew from her grasp.
"No," he declared, his tone colder than the frosty night that enveloped them. A brisk goodnight escaped his lips, leaving Susan in a lingering confusion.
A sudden recollection seized her, propelling her back to the bedroom where a hidden file held a trove of secrets.
As she emptied its contents, a collection of photographs unveiled Mark in the company of another woman.
The woman, a stereotypical blonde, possessed a youthfulness that radiated through the static images.
Yet, it was the dynamism and shrewdness in her eyes that surpassed the typical stereotype. Two adorable dimples adorned her face, infuriatingly cute!
Susan's pupils constricted, her hands instinctively intertwining with a knuckle-cracking symphony. Infatuation had consumed her for Mark since their first encounter at her brother's barbecue, where he invited all his comrades.
Mark's tall, handsome stature and enigmatic charm had swept her off her feet. Discovering after that tragedy that he was the esteemed first scion of the Meyer family solidified him as her destined one.
But that stupid blonde had stolen him from her!
A paper emerged, revealing details about the mysterious woman: Amy Wilson, 20 years old, Green University, School of Journalism…
Susan stared at the lines, a sinister curve etching itself at the corner of her lips. Her gaze turned icy, and with a determined flick of her hand, she crumpled the paper and tossed it into the nearby trash bin.
Returning to the bedroom, she sank onto the plush bed and whispered the name of that man lovingly, "Mark..."
*****
In the school, Amy was slouching over her desk, eyes closed, stealing a quick nap. The previous night, Mark had kept her "awake" until midnight, leaving her with only a few precious hours of sleep.
The classroom buzzed with noise as some classmates gathered nearby, engrossed in discussions about rumors surrounding Susan. "I know the man in the photos. He's supposedly the current heir of the Meyer family."
A collective gasp swept through the room, "Really? He is?"
Amy jolted awake, a sense of surprise coursing through her.
The Meyer family... Was it the same Meyer family she was acquainted with?
She knew Mark was affluent and influential, but the revelation of his true identity was staggering. An uneasy feeling settled within Amy. If that man truly was the heir of the Meyer family, shouldn't she distance herself from him?
Instantly, Amy resolved to find a way to amass enough money as soon as possible.
After school, Amy's friend Ella invited her for dinner, and the two ventured to a nearby pizza place.
Over the table, Ella probed, "Tell me, why you have been taking odd jobs around school lately?"
Amy lowered her eyes and offered a smile. "College life can be dull. Assisting classmates is a gesture of friendship, and it helps me earn a bit of snack money. So... why not?"
Though unconvinced by this explanation, Ella refrained from delving into Amy's privacy but couldn't bear to witness her friend toil so hard. She offered, "If you need money, I have some..."
"Actually, I can manage on my own. But thank you, anyway," Amy interjected, expressing her gratitude.
Friends could offer aid momentarily, but not for a lifetime.
With her father hospitalized and in need of financial support, along with living expenses and tuition to cover, Amy recognized the urgency of her situation.
Everything demanded money, and survival in this world hinged on financial stability.
Though the money she earned at present was meager, the accumulation over time promised a brighter future. She aimed to take care of her father's medical expenses and gradually repay Mark.
"Alright, tell me if you need help," Ella said.
After a brief pause, she broached a sensitive topic. "I heard you sold information about the Meyer family heir to a classmate. The kind of private information that not even gossip magazines could uncover. How did you come to know, and did you sell fake news to earn money? That's a significant taboo in the journalism field and could get you into trouble."
Aware of the reputation of the Meyer family, Ella understood the gravity of meddling in their affairs. News related to their heir was often suppressed or avoided by the media due to fear or respect.
"Oh, it's okay. I'll be fine." Amy waved her hand.
"I have my principles. What I sold to Lisa wasn't fake news. I have reliable sources, absolutely authentic!" Amy reassured Ella.
Ella's expression turned serious. "Amy! That's the Meyer family. I heard their current heir is a demon. If he discovers you sold his information, you will be screwed!"
Amy made a calming gesture. "Don't worry. What I sold is trifling information, like topics fans care about during their idol-chasing moments. I'm just like an amateur paparazzi, sharing what I know with them."
Only then did Ella nod without further probing into the source of Amy's information. "Getting information about that wealthy young heir must be difficult. Do you work this hard because... you're interested in him?"
Amy choked.
*****
On the bustling avenue outside the restaurant, within the confines of a Hummer, Ethan stole a glance at the man engrossed in documents through the rearview mirror. After a moment of contemplation, he decided to break the silence. "Boss."
"Speak," Mark replied without lifting his head.
Ethan gestured subtly. "The girl in the restaurant seems to be... your wife."
The black steel pen, previously engaged in the act of signing documents, paused for a beat, then ceased altogether. Mark lifted his head, casting a gaze through the expansive glass window of the restaurant.
There, he observed Amy and a female friend in the midst of their dining escapade. Amy, struggling with a sip of cola, coughed vigorously while gesturing, perhaps vehemently denying something.
Mark withdrew his gaze, closed the file, and, with slightly parted lips, remarked, "Have you found out who took those pictures last night? Who gave that media outlet the guts to publish it?"
Ethan nodded.
"I don't want to see that paparazzo in New York again. Tell that media outlet that this matter ends here. No more similar or related news."
"Understood."
Ethan straightened up, cautiously observing Mark's indifferent demeanor.
"Regarding last night's news, someone intervened, prompting that media to release the information," He said.
Mark raised an eyebrow. "Who is it?"
Ethan revealed a name. "Jacob Housman."
Mark's expression instantly turned colder, a glint of ice in his eyes. He sneered. "Houseman?"
Ethan sensed Mark's escalating anger and beads of cold sweat ran down.
Yet, not long after, Mark said again, "Call her and tell her to come immediately."
When Amy received Ethan's call, she was taken aback. Aware that Ethan was Mark's most competent assistant, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety.
Why would he be calling her now?
"Ella, I need to take a call. I'll be right back." Amy hurriedly excused herself and swiftly made her way outside.
"Hello, Ethan?" Standing outside the restaurant, Amy answered the phone promptly. "What's the matter? Why are you looking for me?"
*****
The atmosphere inside the car was eerily silent, the air thick with tension. Mark's imposing presence was palpable.
Amy sat upright, refraining from taking a deep breath. She couldn't fathom why Mark would come to her school.
When Ethan called her and mentioned they were just across the street, wanting to pick her up on the way home, her heart almost stopped beating. The revelation of her relationship with Mark to her curious female classmates could potentially unleash chaos.
Without needing Ethan to explain much, Amy immediately got into the car.
Upon entering and exchanging greetings with Mark, Amy found herself at a loss for topics to discuss with the enigmatic man. The car descended into an uneasy silence, making Amy feel awkward.
Suddenly, the vehicle executed a sharp turn, catching Amy off guard. Seated beside Mark, she couldn't prevent her body from tilting sideways. In an unexpected twist, her face ended up perfectly between Mark's legs.
- Writer
