The tension in the room was palpable, with Mr. Justin’s fury reaching its boiling point, and the other managers exchanging uneasy glances. Mr. George, who Mr. Justin's believed would be his staunch supporter was now bowing to Robert, the very man he had underestimated. The shift was so sudden, so unimaginable, that it left Mr. Justin in a state of shock. He was still clutching his aching stomach, struggling to stand upright, his face a mixture of pain and confusion. Yet, his fury was far from subdued. He glared at Mr. George, his voice thick with skepticism and dripping with sarcasm.“What’s gotten into you, George?” Mr. Justin spat, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. “Bowing to this boy? Have you lost your mind?”But before Mr. George could respond, the door swung open again, and all eyes turned to the entrance. As the figure stepped into the room, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. A collective gasp rippled through the room, followed by stunned silence. The managers and directors

A wave of shock swept through the boardroom like a storm. Gasps of disbelief filled the air as every eye turned to Robert, who sat calmly, now the center of attention. When Madam President uttered the name, "Mr. Robert Edward," the entire room froze, as if time itself had stopped. The directors and stakeholders exchanged stunned glances, their previous confidence crumbling in an instant. The weight of the revelation hit them like a sledgehammer, leaving them reeling.The announcement landed like a bomb, detonating in the minds of every director, stakeholder, and manager seated around the grand table.Mr. Justin, who had been glaring triumphantly at Robert moments earlier, blinked in disbelief. His smug grin faltered, replaced by a mixture of confusion and shock. He turned his head sharply toward Madam President, as if hoping he’d misheard. His lips parted, but no words came out he was utterly blindsided.Another director, an elderly man who had long believed himself to be the heir a

Two days later, on a Saturday morning, Robert stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his shirt. He had decided on a simple, understated outfit: a crisp white button-up shirt, tucked neatly into a pair of slim, dark blue chinos. He opted for brown loafers, polished to a subtle shine, and a black leather belt to pull the look together. No flashy watches or accessories, just the kind of simplicity that spoke of confidence and respect. He figured it was best to keep things modest for this nerve-wracking occasion.He sighed deeply, glancing at himself one final time in the mirror as he wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead. His nerves were getting the better of him, and the thought of meeting Lily's strict parents only made it worse. Lily had already called him more than five times that morning, asking if he was ready, each call making him even more on edge. She was clearly nervous, and her constant questioning was transferring some of that anxiety onto him. Meeting parents for a

Lily, noticing Robert’s discomfort, squeezed his hand reassuringly, but Robert’s frustration was mounting. His heart raced, and though he tried to keep his expression neutral, his eyes betrayed his growing irritation. Jonathan’s smug grin only intensified Robert’s frustration, and his fists involuntarily tightened.Jonathan, sensing the shift, continued with his mockery. “I must say, it’s quite... surprising to see you here. I never would have imagined someone like you... well, you know, sitting at this table.”He chuckled softly, glancing at Robert’s simple attire, as if to underscore the difference between them.Robert’s face hardened, and he felt a surge of anger bubbling inside. He bit the inside of his cheek, desperately trying to keep his composure. His mind raced as he considered responding, but he knew that engaging in a verbal sparring match with Jonathan now would only play into his hands.Sweat continued to bead on his forehead, and Robert took a deep breath, trying to ste

Robert struggled to keep his composure, feeling the weight of the injustice suffocating him. He wanted to shout, to defend himself, but what good would it do?He knew, deep down, that nothing he said or did would change their minds. To them, he was a pauper, an obstacle standing in the way of their grand plans for Lily.Lily’s voice, however, cut through the tension. “Stop it, Jonathan,” she snapped, her voice trembling with anger. “You’re the one who’s out of line here, and I won’t stand for you disrespecting Robert for any reason.” She stood beside Robert, her loyalty clear, but her voice shook, betraying the emotion she was trying so hard to hold back.Before Jonathan could respond, Grace raised her hand, her voice firm but calm. “Lily, dear, you don’t need to be agitated. Calm yourself. We’re adults, and we’ll handle this like adults.”But her words did little to soothe the rising tension, and Robert could clearly see the strain on Lily’s face, the way she was fighting to keep her