บททั้งหมดของ HEIR OF PAIN: บทที่ 51 - บทที่ 60

“What did you say?” Jewel’s voice cracked through the room . Her face flushed with anger as her eyes blazing and then she took a threatening step forward. Arden didn’t even flinch. He scoffed and rolled his eyes. “I don’t repeat myself twice,” he said calmly, his tone laced with quiet defiance. “You little bitch!” Jewel shrieked as she raised her hand to slap him, but the door opened sharply as Ryder walked in. The moment he stepped inside, the air in the room changed. His eyes swept across the room, immediately catching the tension that hung in the air like smoke. “What’s going on here?” he asked, his voice calm but hard enough to silence everyone. His eyes moved to Arden, who quickly looked away. Jewel’s hand dropped to her side. A nervous laugh escaped her lips as she smoothed her hair and tried to compose herself. She plastered on a smile and walked toward Ryder as if nothing had happened. “Ryder, you’re back!” she said sweetly, trying to embrace him. But Ryder stepp

Xavier sat comfortably on the long velvet couch, one leg crossed over the other, a satisfied grin spread across his face. The dim light above cast shadows on his wrinkled features, giving him the look of a man who had seen and done things that others could only fear in their nightmares. The faint smell of cigar smoke lingered in the air. A soft classical tune played in the background, it was slow, elegant, and disturbingly calm for what was about to happen. He stretched his arms across the back of the couch, his fingers tapping the cushion lightly to the rythme of the tune played. The air in the room was thick, heavy with a strange kind of excitement. A knock came on the door. “Come in,” Xavier said lazily. The door opened, and one of his guards stepped in. “Where’s the package?” Xavier asked, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. “It’s here, Boss,” the guard replied, keeping his head low. “Bring it in,” Xavier said, picking up the bottle of wine that sat on the low glas

All through the ride, Arden didn’t speak. He just sat quietly, staring out the window while the city lights passed in blurs. His reflection looked pale against the glass which made Kellan notice. At first, he tried to make small talk — asking about classes, about what Arden wanted for dinner, but Arden only nodded or gave short answers that trailed into silence. So, he stopped trying to fill the quiet and focused on driving instead though his own mind was restless too. Still, he kept sneaking glances at Arden. The boy’s brow was furrowed slightly, lips pressed together as if holding back a storm. Kellan’s chest tightened at the sight. He wasn’t used to seeing Arden this quiet. Usually, he was soft-spoken but lively. But now… he looked distant. Kellan’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. He didn’t like it. Arden sighed again, long and weary. He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes, trying to calm his racing thoughts. After a while, the car slowed down and stop

Arden woke up the next morning with a small yawn. He stretched his hands lazily before rolling over to the other side of the bed. His hand touched the sheets, but instead of skin, all he felt was warmth, the kind that told him someone had been there moments ago. He blinked his eyes open slowly, squinting against the light that seeped in through the curtains. When his sight cleared, he realized Ryder was no longer there. “Where did he go?” Arden mumbled to himself, his voice still thick with sleep. He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes, and looked around. The room was quiet as the scent of Ryder’s cologne still lingered faintly in the air, teasing his senses and pulling unwanted memories of last night, the warmth, the closeness, his heartbeat racing uncontrollably. Before he could get too lost in thought, a knock came at the door. “Come in,” he said softly. The door opened, and one of the mansion maids stepped inside, dressed neatly in her uniform. “Good morning, sir,” she g

They both chuckled as they looked at Arden. But Carlos was the first to notice the flicker of surprise that flashed across Arden’s eyes. “You surprised?” Carlos asked with a smirk, stepping forward slowly. Arden instinctively stepped back, keeping his distance. His pulse quickened, but he forced his expression to stay calm. “Why should I be?” he said, voice steady though his hands slightly trembled at his sides. “Birds of the same feather flock together.” Carlos’s smirk widened as Derek let out a short laugh behind him. “I wouldn’t say you’re wrong about that,” Carlos replied smoothly. For a moment, there was silence as the air between them felt heavy, almost suffocating. Carlos took another slow step closer, his shoes clicking softly against the ground. “You’ve gotten bold,” he said, his tone carrying a mix of amusement and warning. “I remember a time you couldn’t even look me in the eye just because you are shy.” Arden frowned at what Carlos said. Carlos looked at Dere