“How dare you insult my shoes!”The man sneered and looked at Max's shoes with a look of pure disgust on his face. "What are those on your feet? Did you get them for a low price?"Max looked down at his worn-out shoes. They weren't brand new, but they had served him well for years. He turned around and looked back at the man. "They are fine.""'Just fine,'" the man said again, his face twisting into a grin. "Maybe to someone like you. But real men—real men with money—don't wear rags.” He put out his leg and showed off his shoes, which sparkled in the diner lights because they were shiny. "These? Ten million dollars is how much they're worth.”A lot of people gasped, and whispers went around the room. Everyone looked at Max, whose quiet appearance stood out against the man's flashy clothes. Some people leaned in close and asked, "Is he really that poor?Perhaps he's just trying to get the waitress's attention."As the conversation went on, the waitress hovered nearby and watched wit
Before Max could finish his meal, a shadow walked across the table. He looked up and saw that it was the same waiter he had saved hours before. She was beautiful and tall, and even in her simple outfit, she stuck out."Excuse me, sir," she said, her voice a little shaking. "Just... Again, I want to thank you for what you did earlier.”Max put down his fork and looked at her. "Don't thank me.Anyone would have done the same thing.”Even though she was worried, her lips were pressed together in a thin line, showing how grateful she was. She replied, "No, not just anyone.You did step in even though you didn't have to.I have no idea how I'll ever repay you."Max smiled in a small, comfortable way. "You don't have to pay me back. Are you okay now?"She gave an uncertain nod, and her fingers moved around on the hem of her apron. "Thank you, I am. Just so you know, my name is Molly.”Max put out his hand. "Max."The move made her eyes widen a little, but she took his hand in hers anyway, and
Max was in the big study of the Montgomery estate.Richard looked at him with a loving but calculating look as he sat in a soft leather chair."You need to go to the dinner this Saturday," Richard told her in a strong, authoritative voice."It’s not just a dinner; it’s an event that will shape your role as the family’s heir."Max leaned against a shiny wood desk with his arms crossed."Dinner?" What's the reason?"Richard gave a smile and tapped the desk."We are announcing the next big business deals for the Montgomery family."It's also a chance to meet important people in our network, like CEOs, government leaders, and, of course, other powerful families. Now is the time for you to shine."Max made a face. He didn't feel completely at ease with the thought."Grandfather, I'm still getting used to everything. There's a chance I'm not ready to meet such important people.Richard laughed, and the sound was warm and firm."Max, you live on as the Montgomery heir. Being ready is a must.
The clock on the dorm room wall ticked past 8 PM. Max hunched over his desk, surrounded by textbooks and notes, when Peter burst through the door, his phone clutched tightly in his hand."Max, dude! You gotta check this out!" Peter exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.Max glanced up from his studies, his expression weary. "What's going on?""Johnson Kingsley's throwing this insane pool party. It's all over FTF," Peter explained, waving his phone. "The livestream's blowing up!""That's great, Pete," Max replied, his tone lackluster. He turned back to his books, his scholarship weighing heavily on his mind.Peter frowned, stepping closer. "Come on, man. Don't you want to see what's happening?"Max shook his head. "Can't afford to waste time. These grades won't keep themselves up.""Fair enough," Peter shrugged, flopping onto his bed. He scrolled through his phone for a moment before sitting bolt upright. "Holy crap! Max, you're not gonna believe this!"Despite himself, Max's cur
Max pedaled furiously, his heart pounding as he arrived at the pool party fifteen minutes later. The sound of loud music and laughter filled the air, but he had no time to focus on that. His only mission was to find Amanda. Pushing through the crowd, he tried to keep calm, but a group of familiar faces spotted him."Hey, look! It's the campus charity case," one of the guys sneered, pointing at Max like he was a circus act."What's up, Rags-to-No-Riches?" asked someone else with a mean grin. Are you here to bring us food or take away our trash?"Everyone in the group started laughing. A third person spoke up and said, "Nah, man. I think he's just here to look through the trash himself." "You need to get dressed, right?"He clenched his hands and ground his teeth, but Max didn't stop. He had to find Amanda. Even though the words hurt, he wouldn't back down.At that very moment, Johnson's words boomed over the loudspeaker, making everyone pay attention. "You look more beautiful than an
“How dare you hit me!” Johnson roared; his face twisted with fury.“You filthy rat! You dare challenge me?” His voice boomed across the poolside, dripping with disdain.The crowd, previously in shock, quickly rallied behind him, their support adding to Johnson's inflated ego.“Look at this cockroach!” Johnson sneered, pacing around Max like a predator sizing up his prey.“You think you can fight me? You’ve been scurrying in the dirt your whole life!”Laughter erupted from the crowd. “He’s about to get squashed!” someone shouted.“Yeah, show him who’s boss, Johnson!” another chimed in.Johnson flexed his arms dramatically, turning to the crowd.“This rat thinks he’s a lion now, huh?” he spat, pointing at Max. “But all I see is a mangy stray dog, begging for scraps!”The crowd whooped and hollered, eagerly anticipating the fight.“You’re nothing but a street mutt,” Johnson continued, his voice brimming with arrogance.“I’ve trained with the best, and you? You’ve been running from garbag
Max managed to duck, but he was too hurt tokeep his balance."Hey! Leave him alone!" Peteryelled.The party was chaos now. People wereshouting and pushing to see the fight. In the corner, Max's friend Peter was onhis phone."Police? Yes, there's a fight..."Peter said quickly.Just when things looked bad for Max, policesirens wailed outside. Blue lights flashed through the windows."Everyone freezes!" Policeofficers rushed in.Later at the police station, Max sat in acold chair. His head was clearing up, but he was worried. The police took hisname and fingerprints, then left him waiting.The police stared at him with wide eyes andran off like he saw a ghost.Max looked around, expecting someone tocome question him soon.” How long we need to wait here?”But after the officers took hisfingerprints and noted down his name, no one came back.Suddenly, a new man walked in. He wore aplain black suit that probably cost more than Max's car.Everyone in the room seemed to back away
The black sedan rolled to a halt before a gilded gate, its towering iron bars adorned with the elegant "Montgomery" crest.Max leaned against the window, his breath fogging the glass as he took in the grandeur.“Is this it?” he asked, his voice low, almost reverent.Harrison, the ever-composed butler, nodded.“Indeed, sir. This is Montgomery Estate.”A security guard approached.Harrison handed over a thick envelope without hesitation.Max fidgeted as the guard scanned the documents.After a tense moment, the gates opened with a groan, revealing a sprawling estate bathed in sunlight.As the car eased forward, Max’s jaw dropped.A central fountain sparkled like diamonds, surrounded by gardens so manicured they seemed unreal.Marble statues peeked out from hedgerows, their lifelike gazes following the car.“It looked like a giant museum.” Max muttered.“You haven’t seen the inside yet.”Harrison said with a small smile as the car stopped at the mansion’s grand steps.Max hesitated befor