In this moment, Jake found himself in an increasingly precarious situation, uncertain about the best course of action.He didn't want to be crushed any further by Travis, it was too much for his pride to handle.Without affording himself much time for contemplation, he swiftly accepted the firecrackers from Parker’s hands and, in an act of unwavering resolve, hurled them directly into his cherished car. His fingers deftly gripped the lighter, and he firmly clasped the fuse of the firecrackers. He delivered his sentiments with a chilling calmness, emphasizing, “You may find this amusing. A true man cannot bear the burden of defeat, and I certainly don’t require Travis’s pity!”With this declaration, he promptly ignited the lighter, a small flame bringing forth the inevitable.The firecrackers burst into life, a cacophony of crackles and bangs engulfing the interior of his once-pristine vehicle as it was consumed by fire.Initially, the spectacle was characterized by fiery bursts emanat
Amidst the jubilant celebrations among Travis and his college mates, Edwin couldn't shake off the lingering discomfort stemming from his recent humiliation. He paced restlessly within the confines of his room, his mind racing with thoughts of how to exact revenge upon Travis, who had consistently embarrassed him.One ray of hope remained: Sophia. She had proven herself resourceful in the past, and Edwin was determined to concoct a plan that would not implicate him directly this time. He understood that if Travis got wind of his involvement, it could backfire just as it had before.A sudden knock on his door interrupted his contemplation, and recognizing it as his mother's knock, he called out, "Come in!"His mother entered the room, her demeanor laced with a mixture of curiosity and reproach. "Edwin, I heard something troubling. Are you working as a cleaner at Golden Tower?" she inquired, her eyes narrowed in scrutiny as she approached him.Edwin's nonchalant shrug conveyed an air of
Travis and Joanna found themselves a comfortable spot to sit, and it wasn't long before Sophia joined them, wearing a broad and welcoming smile. She settled in beside them, her curiosity evident as she inquired, "How's the ceremony going?"Joanna mirrored her smile, clearly enjoying the atmosphere, and replied, "It's actually quite enjoyable."Sophia nodded appreciatively, briefly glancing at Travis before turning her attention back to Joanna. The curiosity was getting the best of her as she prodded further, "So, is it true? Was Parker really the one who played matchmaker between you and Travis?"Joanna couldn't help but chuckle at Sophia's persistence. "Parker seems to have spilled the beans, huh?"Sophia just shrugged, her interest piqued and wanting a definitive answer.With a warm smile, Joanna finally admitted, "Yes, it's true. If it weren't for Parker, I doubt Travis and I would have ever crossed paths in this lifetime."Sophia raised an eyebrow, her pout playfully indicating he
Olivia's speech didn't come as a surprise to many in the audience. After all, people tend to have a natural inclination toward comparison and a desire to show off their achievements. It was almost like a silent competition to see who could give the most impressive or valuable gift, and this gathering provided the perfect backdrop for such comparisons among friends and acquaintances as they transitioned into the world of adulthood.As Olivia continued her speech, she meticulously went through the list of names, expressing her gratitude for each gift with grace. It was a well-organized roll call of appreciation, and when she came to the section dedicated to Parker's college friends, the anticipation among the audience grew palpable.One by one, Olivia mentioned each name, acknowledging their contributions to the celebration. Then came the moment that left everyone taken aback. As Olivia reached Jake's name on her list, she paused and offered her thanks, saying, "Thank you so much, Jake,
Upon learning that Olivia's father was a cultural relic appraiser, the assembled college friends couldn't conceal their mixed emotions when they cast their gaze upon Travis. It was a blend of disdain and sympathy that colored their expressions.In their minds, Travis seemed to be enduring a stroke of bad luck, a streak of unfortunate timing that had landed him in a rather fragile situation. To them, it was as if he had unwittingly set himself up for embarrassment.The irony was obvious. Travis had attempted to put up a front, but now, an expert in the field was about to enter the stage, potentially dismantling his claims piece by piece. It was akin to delivering a resounding slap to one's own face.The anticipation was building. If Olivia's father, Arnold, made an appearance, Travis would find himself in an uncomfortable position.Joanna, sharing in the unease of the moment, leaned in to Travis and offered a whispered plea, "Travis, the spotlight is becoming rather intense, and there
Olivia promptly nodded in agreement with her father's inquiry. "Absolutely, Dad. He's actually a close friend of Parker."However, a trace of disappointment flickered across her face. What kind of friend did Parker have, anyway? She couldn't help but feel frustrated. Here was Travis, daring to attend his friend's pre-wedding celebration with a gift worth just a few hundred dollars. She was almost eager for her father to expose him, hoping Parker would reconsider such a friendship.Observing Parker's cautious silence on the sidelines, Travis couldn't help but deduce that he was being cautious. It was apparent that Olivia was one of those individuals who acted without considering the consequences of their words and actions.At that very moment, Arnold let out a sigh, his gaze directed at Travis filled with admiration. "Finding true friends can be quite a challenge in today's world, and it appears my son-in-law is exceptionally fortunate—""Huh?" Olivia couldn't help but interject, her i
Jake found himself yearning for the impossible, wishing that the very ground beneath him would obligingly part and swallow him whole.In the depths of his mind, he was cursing his misfortune with every fiber of his being. Life had certainly dealt him a cruel hand on this particular day. Who would have ever predicted that he would find himself repeatedly outmaneuvered by Travis, of all people?Now, there was no conceivable escape route for him. With the revelation that the painting was not only genuine but valued at over two hundred thousand, his earlier brazen proclamation hung over him like a looming storm cloud. Could he truly carry out the ludicrous act of eating the table as he had so audaciously declared? The prospect seemed utterly preposterous.When his cherished car had been reduced to cinders, he could ultimately afford to replace it, but munching on a solid wooden table? That was an entirely different, and frankly, unimaginable endeavor.If he eats it, isn't it another w
The celebrations had drawn to a close, and Travis wasted no time making his way through the venue toward his car, ready to head home. Amidst the farewells and the bustling crowd, he exchanged a quick goodbye with Parker, who was preoccupied with the demands of the evening, and then strolled away with Joanna at his side.However, as he was exiting the venue, a voice called out his name. "Hey! Hey, Travis. Hi!" Turning in response to the familiar voice, Travis and Joanna saw Olivia approaching with a wide smile gracing her features. She had hurried over to them with an air of warmth and sincerity."Hey, Travis, I noticed Parker didn't get a chance to properly say goodbye," Olivia began, her smile unwavering. "He's been swamped with everything going on tonight, so don't hold it against him."Travis, still somewhat puzzled by the unexpected encounter, nodded appreciatively. "I don't harbor any ill feelings about that at all. In fact, I completely understand the situation."Olivia's smile