[chapter 25. Declan Harrington]
[part 2]
Declan Harrington, born with hair like gold and a silver spoon in his mouth, was the only son of the direct Harrington family. From the moment of his birth, he was cherished by all elders and looked upon with great hope and expectation.
It was acknowledged that he would be the one to inherit the next seat to the media crown, and his future was already being mapped out for him.
But what did it mean to be born into such privilege and expectation? To be the chosen one, the heir to a vast media empire, and to have one's every step watched and judged by those around them? Was it a blessing or a curse?
In some ways, it was both. On the one hand, Declan had been given every advantage in life. He had grown up in luxury, surrounded by the best education, food, and experiences that money could buy. Declan had never wanted anything, and he had been groomed from a young age to take on the mantle of leadership.
But on the other hand, he had never known what it was like to struggle, to fight for something, or to truly earn his place in the world. His position had been given to him from birth, and he had been raised to believe that it was his by right- rather than by merit.
It was a heavy burden to bear, and it could lead to a sense of entitlement, arrogance, and complacency.
Viktor clicked his tongue in disapproval as he watched Declan Harrington move around the room like a puppy waiting for his owner. The young man's golden hair shone in the light, a clear sign of his privileged upbringing, and his expensive clothing and immaculate appearance only added to his air of entitlement.
Viktor couldn't help but scoff at Declan, going to the door to greet the two visitors who had arrived. "Don't tell me you're going to pick those two up?" he said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Declan's eyes widened in surprise at the suggestion. "Should I?", It was clear that he liked the idea. Perhaps he was eager to impress the visitors, to show off his wealth and status in front of Selena.
Viktor could only shake his head at the naivety and foolishness of it all.
"You fucking Harrington, going out of your way for that backless kid and that bastard," Viktor sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Wow, this is the joke of the century."
He looked at Declan with disgust, clearly appalled by the young man's behavior. "And don't tell me you like that bastard girl," he added, his expression twisted in distaste. The thought of someone like Declan associating with someone so lowly and unworthy was almost too much for him to bear.
Declan's eyes narrowed in response to Viktor's sneering tone. "Don't blame Selena for her birthright," he said firmly. "It was Wilson who made a mistake."
Mirelle entered the room, books in hand, and seemed unsurprised by the boys' bickering. "Are you guys fighting again?" she asked wearily.
Viktor's expression softened as soon as he saw her.
"We're not fighting, just having a friendly talk," he said, a hint of mischief in his voice. He then took the books from Mirelle's hands and set them on the table before pulling out a chair for her- helping her sit down.
As Mirelle settled into her seat, she couldn't help but feel a sense of weariness at the constant tension between Viktor and Declan. She had grown accustomed to their banter and bickering, but it was exhausting to be in the middle of their power struggles and one-upmanship.
But as she watched Viktor's expression soften and his attention turned to her, she felt a small glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was a way to bring these two boys together and find some common ground.
Her eyes landed on Viktor, and her lips twitched up in a manipulative smirk. "I just feel like Samuel has been too distant lately," she said, her voice laced with sweet deceit. "Selena was absent for four days, and Samuel looked lost in his thoughts. He no longer even shares what's going on with me."
"Maybe he is worried about Selena," she bit her lips. Mirelle's expression twisted. "It's just that..." she trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.
"You think Selena stole Samuel from you, don't you?" Viktor's tone was accusatory, and his fists clenched with anger. "I knew it. That bitch," he seethed, his gaze fixed on the crestfallen Mirelle.
Declan watched them from the corner of the room, his mind wandering off to when they were kids. He remembered the days when Mirelle would be the first to finish her homework, and she'd have to wait for him and Viktor to catch up.
Kai Spade sat quietly in the corner; his nose buried deep in a medical book as he tried to grasp the complex terminology. His eyes flickered up to the group of three bickering friends- annoyance etched on his face.
"Enough, both of you," he interjected sharply, the frustration seeping through his voice. "Can we please focus on why we're here?"
Viktor and Declan exchanged sheepish glances, but Mirelle couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement at Kai's irritation. "What's the point of having friends if you can't gossip with them?" she teased.
Kai's eyes narrowed; his tone serious as he reminded them of their family's expectations. "We're here to work on our projects and prepare for our future. If my grades slip any further, it won't just be me who suffers, but your entire family," he warned.
"Ugh, why did I even agree to come here," Kai muttered under his breath, eyes fixed on the medical textbook in his hand.
Viktor looked up from his phone, "What's wrong, Kai? Don't tell me you're regretting coming here."
"Yes."
Viktor rolled his eyes but stayed silent. He could not offend Kai.
Viktor sat there with a sneer, watching Kai complain about being there. He was tempted to speak up, to make a snarky remark and put Kai in his place, but he knew better. Viktor was a follower, not a leader, and he always chose to side with the strongest, no matter how cruel they may be.
It was winning that mattered to Viktor, no matter the cost. The red-headed boy sneered as he looked around the room, his eyes darting over his peers with a calculating gaze. To him, everyone was either a stepping stone to success or a hurdle to throw away.
"Ugh, when are those two fucktards coming," he grumbled, leaning back in his seat near Mirelle. He didn't bother to hide his disdain for Samuel and Selena, whom he considered beneath him.
"Language," Mirelle warned. "Sorry," he sheepishly said.
"Young Lord," a servant came and greeted Declan. "The car from Mariano's house has arrived."
~~~~
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