As the knife was passed around for guests to take turns cutting the cake, the guy snatched it and, with a smug grin, gestured toward Robert.“Hey, why don’t you cut a slice for everyone?” he said loudly, his tone dripping with mockery. "Or maybe that’s not something you’re used to, seeing as you probably have someone do it for you."The crowd’s laughter was awkward, a few people glancing uncomfortably between Robert and the man. It was a subtle but deliberate attempt to embarrass Robert, positioning him as someone out of place, too refined or detached to even do something simple like cutting a cake.Anita, who had been standing nearby, immediately sensed what was happening. Her eyes darted between Robert and the guy, realizing the malicious intent behind the gesture.Without hesitation, she stepped forward, her expression sharp as she intercepted the knife before Robert could respond.“Oh, I think Robert’s done enough for the night,” she said firmly, her voice cutting through the tensi

He glanced at Anita once more, hoping that the grand gesture would make her fall for him. But Anita remained stoic, her expression unreadable, though her eyes flickered with something more calculating than impressed.Meanwhile, Robert, who had been observing silently, maintained his calm demeanor, though a subtle smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Nathan might have thought he’d outshone everyone, but Robert had seen enough of such displays to know where this was headed. He knew arrogance often led to a downfall. He just had to wait.Meanwhile, Nathan was in his element, soaking up the admiration from the room. He grinned from ear to ear, loving every second of the attention. Vanessa couldn’t stop gushing about the gift, her voice high with excitement.“You never cease to amaze me, Nathan,” she said, her eyes still wide with disbelief. “This is... I don’t even know how to thank you! This is the most expensive gift I’ve ever received!”Nathan, feeling on top of the world, brushed h

"He started it! Two can play this game, right? If Robert's so sure, why doesn’t he show the receipt for his fancy watch? Or better yet, let’s check the authenticity right now!"The room grew quiet as Nathan’s challenge hung in the air. Robert, calm as ever, didn’t flinch. He merely replied, "Show the receipt for your painting first, Nathan. After that, I’ll be happy to provide mine."A murmur went through the crowd as people exchanged curious glances. The tension was thick, almost tangible, as they awaited Nathan’s response. But before Nathan could come up with an excuse, someone else from the party chimed in. "Why don’t we just check online? Patek Philippe has an official site where you can validate their products using the serial number. Let’s see if it’s genuine."Anita, standing close to Robert, felt a knot form in her stomach. Her fingers twitched with anxiety. She knew Robert had money and could easily afford a watch like that, but the idea of him being humiliated in front of ev

Despite her defense, Robert wasn’t satisfied. He couldn't shake off the overwhelming sense of betrayal—not from the people around him but from the circumstances that had conspired to humiliate him. His insistence on proving himself only spurred Nathan's amusement further.Nathan burst into mocking laughter, his voice echoing through the room. "Oh, this is just too rich," he sneered. "Mistakenly picked the wrong one? C'mon, Robert, don’t kid yourself. If it walks like a fraud, talks like a fraud, well... it’s probably a fraud."Robert’s frustration was mounting. He grabbed his phone, dialing his mother’s number again, the cold sweat on his forehead betraying his rising desperation. When the call didn’t go through, his grip tightened, and he cursed under his breath. Nathan’s taunts grew more relentless. "You’re a joke, man," he said, his tone dripping with condescension. "Trying to pull this off like you’re some big shot, and now look at you—sweating bullets over a fake watch. You mi

Three days later The news of the collaboration between Glidson Group of Companies and Imperial Trust Bank had circulated like wildfire, igniting tension across the business landscape. At Victor Langston's company, the atmosphere was far from celebratory. Inside the towering glass conference room, Victor had called an urgent meeting, one that promised no pleasantries. He stood at the head of the table, glaring at the team of executives and former Glidson loyalists seated around him.Victor’s face was twisted with fury. His fists clenched as he leaned forward, his voice cold and sharp. “I thought by now, we’d be drinking to the downfall of Glidson. But instead…” He paused, tossing the business article announcing Glidson’s triumph with Imperial Trust across the table. “THIS is what I have to read!”The article landed with a thud, its title glaring back at them: “Glidson Empire Secures Landmark Collaboration with Imperial Trust Bank.”Murmurs ran through the room, but no one dared to