41As the insults continued to fly, they were interrupted by the organizer of the event, a tall man with a commanding presence, clapped his hands together. "Gentlemen, please take your seats. The seminarians will be arriving shortly." Chairs were lined up at the back of the room, and the group begrudgingly made their way to their seats. Michael sat next to the trio.In the midst of the commotion, the door swung open, and Billy James, the renowned banker, entered the room. The crowd erupted with thunderous applause, acknowledging his presence. Billy James, humbled by the reception, made his way to the front, beaming with gratitude.One by one, the seminarians took turns speaking, sharing their experiences and wisdom with the captivated audience. Each dialogue unfolded, painting a vivid tapestry of inspiration and knowledge. The room grew still, the insults from before forgotten as the words of the seminarians captured everyone's attention.Finally, it was Billy James' turn to speak. H

43The room fell into a heavy silence as everyone contemplated the situation. Their minds were clouded with confusion and disbelief. How could this happen? Who could be behind such a substantial contribution?One by one, they voiced their questions, their voices filled with a mix of astonishment and frustration. "Is this some kind of sick joke?" one of them exclaimed, unable to wrap their head around the gravity of the situation. "I mean, who would have the audacity to make such a significant contribution without any prior indication?"Another person, still trying to process the information, chimed in with a tinge of skepticism. "Could it be a miscalculation? Maybe there was an error in the data or a misinterpretation of some sort?"A voice from the back of the room, hesitant and filled with doubt, suggested a possible conspiracy. "What if this is a lie, to force us to contribute a little more? Someone with a hidden agenda trying to manipulate our decisions and alter the course of th

45Shocked and concerned, Michael instructed the taxi driver to stop. "Stop! Stop the taxi!" Michael urgently shouted, his heart racing with concern for whoever was trapped inside the wrecked car. The driver, a grizzled old man with strands of gray hair, cast a worried glance in the rearview mirror."Son, it's too dangerous. We should keep moving," the taxi driver cautioned, trying to dissuade Michael.But Michael, overcome with worry for the car's occupants, knew he couldn't just sit idly by. "Please, I can't ignore this. There might be someone who needs help! Call the emergency services!"The old taxi driver's weathered face betrayed a touch of hesitation, his gnarled fingers slowly reaching for his cell phone. "Son, the tunnel has no network. I'll have to move away to make the call," he replied, reluctance tugging at his voice.Desperation etched across his face, Michael pleaded with all his might. "Please, sir. I beg you. We can't waste any time. Lives could be at stake!"Moved by

47Douglas furrowed his brow, concern etching his features. "I understand your worry, sir, but perhaps there's still hope. Michael is young, after all, and he's had a sheltered upbringing. Maybe he just needs a wake-up call or some exposure to the real world to ignite his ambition."Edward nodded thoughtfully, contemplating Douglas' words. "You may be right, Douglas. It's possible that he hasn't faced enough challenges or adversity to truly appreciate what's at stake. If things don't improve, we'll have to consider bringing in someone else who is better prepared for the responsibilities that come with leading our conglomerate."A sense of loss tinged Edward's voice, as if the idea of Michael not living up to his potential brought him a deep sorrow. "He is my son, and I had always hoped that he would be the one to carry on our family legacy. But if he can't rise to the occasion, we must prioritize the success of our company above all else."Douglas placed a reassuring hand on Edward's

49Robert's face hardened, his jaw clenched tightly. He stared at Hilary, but remained silent, his emotions simmering beneath the surface.Hilary gasped, her hand instinctively flying to her mouth. Confusion etched across her face, she urgently asked, "Which money? Where did it go? And why?"Robert's embarrassment was palpable as he finally spoke up, his voice tinged with frustration and bitterness. "I attended a seminar where Billy James was supposed to be. It was my chance to meet him, impress him, and make a difference. But this guy," he said, pointing angrily at Michael, "spoiled everything. Michael stole the show, impressing Billy James in my place and overshadowing my $200,000 donation with a staggering $5,000,000 donation."Hilary's eyes widened in disbelief, her voice rising with each passing second. "Five million dollars? Michael donated five million dollars? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" she exclaimed, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the situation.Robert's resp