Inheritance Redefined

Chapter Thirty-Five

Olivia choked on her drink. "You can't just–"

But Kai had already started walking toward the double doors, hands tucked into his pockets, radiating effortless rebellion.

Thiago chuckled and stood. "You know what? He's right."

Nikolai groaned. "Oh, this is going to be a disaster."

Nico clapped him on the back. "And yet, you're still getting up."

Within moments, all five families' heirs were on their feet, trailing after Kai like a parade of power cutting through the stunned silence of the dining hall.

Elara hesitated for only a second before Orion nudged her. "Come on, El. You don't want to miss whatever this turns into."

She followed, heart thudding as Kai glanced back over his shoulder, grin flashing.

"Let's show them," he said, voice low but carrying easily across the marble floor, "that we still run this school – not the other way around."

---

The corridors of Viremont Academy had never seen anything like it.

Students stepped aside as the heirs swept through, a ripple of whispers following them. It wasn't planned – not exactly – but somehow, just walking together, they made it look like an orchestrated rebellion.

Kai led the way, every movement lazy but deliberate and he walked like the school already belonged to him.

"Where exactly are we going?" Elara asked, falling into step beside Orion.

Kai turned his head just enough to flash her a grin. "Wherever fun is hiding. I plan to drag it out by the hair."

Anastasia laughed so loudly that a teacher down the hall peeked out of a classroom – then quickly ducked back in when she realized who it was.

Thiago stretched, hands behind his head. "I vote for the arena. We haven't done anything fun there in weeks."

Matteo snorted. "That's because last time someone nearly broke the ice rink barrier."

Anastasia twirled a strand of her hair. "Please, that was your brother."

Nico grinned at her. "And it was totally worth it."

The group spilled into the courtyard, sunlight flashing off marble and glass. The fountain gurgled peacefully – utterly at odds with the chaos brewing around it.

Kai stopped and turned to face them, his dark eyes alight with something dangerous and thrilling. "Alright, rule number one. No titles, no bodyguards, no expectations. Just you, me, and whatever this place can handle."

"Rule number two," Nikolai said dryly, "no one dies. The Board still remembers the fire alarm incident from last term."

"That was an accident!" Anastasia said, clearly lying.

"Sure," Nikolai muttered.

Adonis cracked his knuckles. "So what's the plan, Wei?"

Kai's grin sharpened. "A game."

Elara's brows furrowed. "A game?"

He nodded toward the far end of the courtyard, where a row of school-issued bikes gleamed in the sun – meant for quick campus travel, not whatever mischief he was imagining.

"First one to make it to the North Gate wins," Kai said. "No staff cars, no shortcuts. Just pure chaos."

Matteo's eyes lit up. "I like him."

"Of course you do," Elias muttered.

Anastasia threw her arm around Elara's shoulders. "Don't worry, Lara, you're with me."

Elara smiled despite herself. "You say that like it's comforting."

"It is," Anastasia said, dead serious.

Within seconds, the heirs had mounted the bikes – all except Elias, who stood with arms crossed. "This is ridiculous," he said.

Kai shot him a look over his shoulder. "That's the point, Calviero."

And then, before anyone could count down, Kai kicked off. Laughter erupted and the courtyard exploded into motion.

Elara's hair whipped behind her as Anastasia whooped beside her, weaving through startled students and scattering pigeons into the sky.

Thiago shot past, shouting something in Portuguese that made even Nikolai laugh.

By the time they reached the gardens, half the school had poured out to watch. Someone was filming. Someone else was cheering.

It wasn't rebellion. It wasn't defiance.

It was a reminder – that no matter how polished or perfect Viremont pretended to be, the heirs still owned it.

And Elara found herself laughing with wind in her hair, her heart pounding. Surrounded by the chaos that somehow felt like freedom.