Ethan joined in, adding, “It’s funny how some people just can't handle a little friendly competition. They get left behind.”Oliver, maintaining his calm demeanor, replied, “Modesty isn’t about being left behind; it’s about understanding that actions speak louder than words.”With every jab Marcus and his friends threw, Oliver’s calm, modest replies seemed to leave them momentarily at a loss for words. “Seems like you’re all quite good at boasting,” Oliver said, “but sometimes the real measure of success is how well you treat others, not how much you brag.”Marcus tried to retort, but Oliver’s words seemed to cut deeper than intended, leaving him momentarily speechless.Just as the tension in the air became unbearable and the confrontation threatened to turn into a scene, a new figure approached them. A woman in her late fifties, dressed in an elegant, navy blue dress with intricate embroidery, her silver hair pulled back in a graceful bun, walked up to the group. She exuded an air

Before anyone else could respond, Oliver quickly took the opportunity to de-escalate. “We’re just having a friendly conversation,” he said, his voice even and calm. “Nothing more.”The man’s eyes swept over the group, his gaze lingering on Marcus, who still looked like he was about to burst. After a pause, the man nodded and suggested, “Perhaps it’s time for a change of subject. Why don’t we move away from here? Come with me.” His tone wasn’t a suggestion; it was a directive, but it was delivered with such grace and authority that it left little room for argument.Marcus and the twins fell silent, fuming but unwilling to oppose the man’s suggestion. It was clear that whoever this man was, he commanded a level of respect that even Marcus couldn’t challenge at the moment.But while the group was momentarily subdued, Mrs. Thompson, still simmering from Oliver’s earlier remarks, was not about to let things slide. She glared daggers at Oliver, her nostrils flaring as she prepared to unlea

"You really have come a long way, Marcus," one older gentleman commented, shaking his hand firmly. "Mrs. Thompson was right to single you out. You've made quite a name for yourself.""Always knew you'd go far, Marcus," another chimed in. "You've got that determination and drive.""You're really the star of the night," a woman added, her smile beaming.These words, laced with admiration, only served to inflate Marcus’s already bloated sense of self-importance. The more they praised him, the more he puffed out his chest, his posture exuding arrogance.The twins, hovered around him, their exaggerated flattery almost unbearable. They laughed too loudly at his jokes, clung to every word he spoke, and constantly vied for his attention, making sure everyone noticed how close they were to him."Marcus, you’re just on another level tonight. Honestly, who could compare?" Nathan gushed, her voice almost too sweet."You're like the king of the room. Everyone's looking at you," Nada added, casting

The twins were practically giddy at this point, high-fiving each other in their seats and exchanging victorious grins, feeling like they had finally defeated Oliver in front of everyone.Just as Marcus was about to continue his self-serving speech, something unexpected happened. Ms. Martha, the beloved matron of the orphanage, suddenly rushed onto the stage, a look of urgency on her face. She quickly whispered something into Mrs. Thompson’s ear, interrupting the flow of the event. The crowd, sensing the shift, turned their full attention to the stage, curious.Recovering from her initial shock, Mrs. Thompson cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure after the unexpected news. Her voice trembled slightly as she addressed the audience, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have just been informed of a new development—something truly miraculous." Her words carried a mix of awe and excitement, but also nerves.At that moment, Marcus, who had been basking in his supposed victory as the undisp

At first, Oliver had no intention of revealing himself. He preferred to stay in the background, letting his actions speak without the need for recognition. But as he sat in the corner, watching Marcus's face light up with satisfaction, smug in the belief that no one would step forward, something shifted within him. The knots in Marcus’s stomach tightened with each passing second, and the more he saw Oliver advancing toward the stage, the harder his heart pounded in anger.Marcus’s mind raced. "No, it can’t be," he thought, a storm of disbelief and fury rising within him. His fists clenched, and his face grew red with frustration. His carefully crafted superiority was crumbling, and it was Oliver, someone he’d always considered beneath him, who was responsible. The notion of Oliver donating such an enormous amount was like a punch to the gut, one he wasn’t prepared to take. “This… this has to be a joke,” Marcus whispered to himself, trying to rationalize what was happening.As Oliv