CHAPTER 42: THE HEIR VS THE EMPEROR,
Scene: Pete storms into his father's study
Door SLAMS.
The room is dark, filled with the thick scent of cigars and old leather-bound control.
Pete's father, Supachai, looks up, calm as a storm just before it hits.
> "Ah. Come to your senses finally?"
Pete: "No.
I came to end this."
His father's eyes narrow. "End what, exactly?"
Pete throws a folder on the desk.
> "You've been pulling strings.
The fake scholarship cancellation.
The bank call to Mek's uncle.
The staged photos sent to the press.
I know everything."
Supachai doesn't even flinch.
> "I did what any father would do—to protect his son."
Pete steps closer. "Protect me from what? Love? Peace?
You say you're doing it for me, but it's always been about you—your pride, your status."
> "Watch your tone."
Pete laughs coldly.
> "Why? You think I'm afraid of you now?
I used to be.
But not anymore."
He leans across the desk, eyes burning.
> "You want an obedient heir? Get a robot.
Because I'm done playing prince in your puppet kingdom."
Silence.
Tension.
Supachai finally stands. "You're throwing away everything for a boy."
Pete: "No.
I'm fighting for the only person who's ever made me feel like I'm human.
And if that makes me a disgrace in your empire—so be it."
Supachai's voice turns icy. "You're not my son anymore."
Pete whispers, voice shaking but strong:
> "Then you were never my father."
He turns, walking away without another word.
---
Scene Shift: Outside – Pete breaks down in the hallway
Mek is waiting.
Pete stumbles into him, chest heaving, fists clenched. Mek catches him, steady.
> "I did it," Pete breathes. "I stood up to him."
Mek cups his face, thumbs brushing tears Pete didn't even know were there.
> "And I'm so damn proud of you."
They hold each other like they're the last two alive in a world built to burn them down.
---
Bonus Flashback (Mek's POV)
As Pete trembles in his arms, Mek remembers—
A time when Pete couldn't even say "I miss you."
Now?
He just set fire to his father's empire…
for love.