Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Justin clutched the bag tightly to his chest like his life was kept in it. He took to his heels with every step limping in outright fear and a mist of thrill.
Justin ran until the loan shark's lair was no longer in sight and he was somewhere on the streets of LA. At this point, Justin couldn't help but allow a smile to swerve on his arid lips like a fourteen-year-old who'd just gotten a birthday present.
Justin had his eyes scanning every nook and cranny of the street in a voyage to find a Walgreens outlet. After all, it's Nelson Drogonuv's party, a multitude of well-to-do folks will be trooping to the nearest ticket outlets to get a ticket before it's sold out.
Justin arrived at a supposed Walgreens store. He was a bit confounded because it appeared to be a coffee shop. But when his eyes settled on the Walgreens logo, situated outside - close to the sidewalk, he heaved a sigh and walked through the entrance. "Maybe they're affiliated with Walgreens," he muttered under his breath.
Amidst the protracted mix of occupied and vacant tables and seats, Justin caught a sight of the reception on the left side. He hastened his steps towards the counter.
He abruptly brushed shoulders with a random man. His bag fell out of his grip. The man leaned over to reach for the bag, but Justin had it in his hands already.
"Sorry," Justin muttered. He didn't wait for the man's response before proceeding.
"Hey!" The man called.
Reluctantly, Justin turned back to meet the man still standing at the same spot with a funny look on his face. Justin ambled closer too - trying to figure out why a random man who almost broke his arm would call him back.
"What are you here for?" The man asked, his eyes stuck on the bag Justin clasped to his chest.
Justin held on to the bag a little bit more and glanced through the shop and then back to the man.
"I'm here to get tickets for Nelson Drogonuv's party." Justin declared.
The man furrowed his eyebrows, further revealing the depth of his brown eyes and again - the surprise that was hushed up beneath it. The man scoffed. He scanned Justin like he was some laboratory specimen.
Justin's face went dim at the man's sneering reaction. "I need to go." He yelped, about to turn around and leave. But the man grabbed his shoulder.
"Wait. Do you know how much each of these tickets cost?"
"Yeah. Twenty-five thousand dollars," Justin retorted sharply. "And I'm paying for four people." He added.
"Great!" The man exclaimed. "I'm in charge of the ticket sales, it's a good thing you came now. It's almost sold out."
Justin rumbled his eyes with relief. "Thank goodness. Can I still get four?" Justin asked.
"Yeah! You've got the money there?"
"Bet. There you go" Justin said, handing the bag to the man.
The man opened the bag, his eyeballs dilated in shock and he swiftly concealed that wonder with a smile.
"Alright. Have a seat, while I get you the tickets." The man made a beeline for Justin to sit and he exited the shop. Justin sat on one of the seats nearby as he dug his fingers into his palms expectantly.
Two hours went by, and the man didn't show up. Justin's instincts swung into action and he became restless. He rose from his seat, pacing all around the shop, even if everyone seated was beginning to stare at him in suspicion. Justin had his eyes fixed on the exit, hoping the man would walk straight back in.
It never happened, after all, it was all a thought.
"Sir, can I help you?" A voice cracked into Justin's stream of thoughts. He dabbed a smudge of sweat off his face and turned to the receptionist.
"I'm here to get the tickets to Nelson Drogonuv's party, but,"
"Sure, you're in the right place, Sir. How many tickets do you want to pay for?" The receptionist said.
"I thought that guy was in charge. He took money from me." Justin said, pointing a finger to the exit.
The receptionist had a subtle smirk on her face "Nobody else is incharge, Sir." She declared. "You have been scammed."
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
I Am The Richest Man Alive Chapter Four - Meeky.
Justin's heart pounded like it'll rip out of his chest. Everyone seated in the Tucsons' spacious living room had their eyes on him. Expecting him to say something, but all he did was crouch his head. Intermittently he'd raise it and steal a glance and whirl his eyes across the artworks festooning the walls. "Is everything okay?" Lilly said. Justin lifted his head to give a response, but he got interrupted by Tucson. "What else could be wrong with his pathetic ass? I'm sure he couldn't get the tickets." Tucson snickered, glancing at his wife. Mrs. Tucson had a similar look on her face too. "But I got the money," Justin disclosed. It felt like he splashed a chunk of icky acid into the air. Everyone had a stunned reaction on their faces. Lilly's face glistened with a smile, and the glint of the chandelier gleamed over her sparkling set of canines. Just like she initially thought, Justin might find a way to put a smile on her face and throw her face taunts into the lake. "Really?" Li
I Am The Richest Man Alive Chapter Five - Humiliation.
Justin brushed a streak of saline sweat off his face. He paused to catch his breath, while his hand clasped a broom. His gaze twinkled across the room and it fell on the two ladies seated at the reception. Justin snagged a sight of them laughing and whispering words into each other's ears. While they stared at him. Justin couldn't figure out which part of him was the most hilarious to make two grownups laugh that hard. Maybe it was because of the dirty and torn apron he was wearing. He had pleaded with his boss, Bruce Springsteen for a replacement, but the contemptuous billionaire insisted he continued to use the stale and old one. Or better still, the disgruntled look on Justin's face could be the reason why the ladies are cracked up as if they chugged on an overdose of N20. Justin's thoughts drifted to the peril he'd been going through at the hands of the Tucsons'. And the mere thought that he might lose his wife soon sent shrills of panic to his heart. He marveled at how he non
I Am The Richest Man Alive Chapter Six - Useless And Irresponsible.
Justin raised a brow. He struck a pause at the sight of Lilly. She seldom visits him at work. And whenever she does - it's either she comes to remind him of what her folks would want for dinner. Or how early he needed to get home if he didn't want to taste the juicy plop of her mother's wrath. But he just left the house few hours ago. And now seeing Lilly chimed like a suspenseful drumroll. "Hey babe!" Justin called. Lilly turned to him with a cramped grimace on her face. Cramped enough to make wrinkles appear on her face. "Are you okay?" Justin asked. Lilly glared at Justin and puffed out a vast amount of breath. "My car was stolen!" Lilly declared. Justin slinked his head forward with his mouth wide open. "You're kidding, huh?" Lilly clicked her teeth. "Dumbass! I'm not joking. My car was stolen at work. My car is gone." She yelled. The staid look on her face dashed away every fiber of doubt Justin had. After all, Lilly is a fuse of solemnity and sarcasm. "Wow. How did it happe
I Am The Richest Man Alive Chapter Seven - Perfect And Loyal.
Lilly frowned at Bruce's utterance. She heaved a tensed sigh and peeked at Justin's eyes. The rage, betrayal, and anger lurking in his eyes wrecked her heart. Bruce had his lips blaring with a smile. As he watched the couple exchange glances."So what's your response?" Bruce asked - gazing into Lilly's plunging blue eyes. "Are you going to have lunch with me and get a new car or you'd stand here with this poor idiot." He said, darting a finger at Justin. "The choice is yours to make."Justin's emotionless face shrunk into a scowl, part of him wanting to pull Bruce close and headbutt incessantly until his nose bled. "I'm not interested," Lilly said. She swallowed the lump in her throat - eyes glaring into space. "Oh. Wrong choice." Bruce grinned. You're going to regret that choice." He sneered. "I can't disrespect my husband like that by going on a date with his boss.!" Lilly retorted. Justin's demeanor switched. A smile formed at the corner of his spherical lips. His mind flashed
I Am The Richest Man Alive Chapter Eight - The Lilly-Challenge.
Frigid spurts of adrenaline dashed through Justin's spine. He peeked at Lilly's face intently, as if he could see through her bones. Bruce's mouth was encircled in a sinister smile - anticipating a positive response from Lilly. At the onset, Justin was worried about how he'd heal from the injury and his palm. Or better still how he'd find a means to work with it, through the pain. So Bruce will not notice any laxity and fire him like he had always threatened. But now, Bruce has fired him because of his financial incapability. Or because he wanted to have lunch with his wife. Justin wished he could time travel and choose to stick to his roots. Maybe that approach will depict who's richer now. But at the same time, he's confident that Lilly is never going to accept Bruce's proposal even if he doesn't have a job or cannot afford to buy her a new car. After all, her father is wealthy enough to buy her one, and she can get a pretty good car on her own if she wants to. She doesn't have t
I Am The Richest Man Alive Chapter Nine - Poor Little Boy.
"Great!" Bruce exclaimed. "You made the choice eventually."Justin's eyes glinted with rage and disappointment. He bit his lip nervously as he watched Bruce hold Lilly's hand. "Lilly, how could you - " Justin stuttered. Until the first streak of tear fell from his eyes, Justin didn't notice how heartbroken he was. "How could you do this to me?" He wailed. Lilly smacked her lip, as a flare of guilt flashed through her mind. She had seen him cry and feel broken in the past. But now he wasn't just broken and teary, he looked like he had been ripped off his heart. And he might die of a heart attack real soon. "I'm sorry, Justin." Lilly muttered, touching his shoulder. "I know I said I loved you. Believe me, I do. But at this point, I'm helpless too." "So you're going to humiliate me and go out with another man just because of a car?" Justin cried, his voice stuck somewhere between rage and remorse. "Not just a car Justin. It's my dream car. A Rangerover." Lilly said. Her tone went a
I Am The Richest Man Alive Chapter Ten - Favours.
"Dad, I need a favor." There was a huge puff of breath from the other end. "Son, have you forgotten the deal?" The baritone voice asked. "You have just three favors to ask. And that's all, else you must come and take over the company. I wonder w -" "Dad, I just want a single favor." Justin impeded. "After this one, I will never disturb you again." "Fine, let's hear it." "Dad, I'm aware that you're one of the major shareholders of Rover Autos Corporation and you're close friends with Adrian Martell, the CEO," Justin said. "Yes, I am. And how does that add up to the favor you're asking? " "Dad, your position as the major shareholder means you have the power to order the withdrawal of a sold car right?" Justin asked. Silence. "Dad! Can you hear me?" "I can hear you, Justin. What car do you want to withdraw and why do you even want to do that?" "Dad I will tell you the whole story later, but I just need you to do this for me, right now. Please." Justin pleaded. "Alright, son.
I Am The Richest Man Alive Chapter Eleven - Another Favour.
"Dad, I want another favor," Justin said, clasping his phone to his ears. "I guess you're finally coming back to take your inheritance. When you exhaust your number of favors." "Dad, I'm not coming to inherit anything. I just need you to do this one last favor for me." Justin said, chafing his hand on a chimney. While the contorted siren of a cop car blared faintly into his ears. "You asked me for a favor some days ago. I wonder what you're up to this time.""It's the second favor I'm asking of you. Are you going to grant it or not?" "Let's hear it." "I need some money. Something close to a hundred and fifty thousand dollars." A soft chuckle echoed from the other end. "I knew you weren't going to grant my request." Justin whimpered, rolling his eyes in disappointment. "I thought you were going to ask for an island or even a penthouse." His father said. "I guess you're going on some cheap shopping spree or something." "Dad, I don't need a penthouse. And you don't have to know
Latest Chapter
- I Am The Richest Man Alive
Chapter 470: Cracks Begin to Show
Justin sat on the worn out couch in the living room one night, his head in his hands. Bills were scattered across the coffee table, each one was a reminder of the dwindling finances in his marriage. The hum of the old ceiling fan filled the silence, but it did not do anything much to ease the tension in the room.Lilly walked in with a hesitant look on her face as she glanced at the stack of envelopes on the table. Moving closer to him, she gently opened her mouth to talk.“Any luck today?” She asked Justin softly as she placed a hand on his shoulder.Justin shook his head and sighed. “I went to three interviews, and they all said the same thing. They are all looking for someone with more experience.” His voice was tight and edged with frustration.“I am trying my best Lilly. I really am.”“I know you are baby,” she replied him as she sat down beside him. She hesitated for a moment before continuing, as if weighing her words carefully. “But Justin, maybe it is time we consider anothe
- I Am The Richest Man Alive
Chapter 469: Tested Limits.
“You mean everything to me too babe,” she would always reply to him whenever she sees such with her eyes glistening with tears.This continued till weeks and months passes by and Justin finally landed a temporary position at a small logistics company. Though the pay was not that much, it gave him a new beacon of hope. He started the job and have it all he have, determined to prove his worth and climb the ladder. However, the long hours and demanding tasks often left him drained.On the other hand, Lilly's own frustrations had started to show. “I feel like we are just surviving,” she admitted one night after work. “I know we said we would get through this together, but sometimes I wonder if we are in over our heads.”Justin took her hand in his with a firm grip but also gentle touch.“We are not in over our heads babe. We are just at the starting line. Things will get better for us, we just have to keep pushing.”She sighed in frustration and resignation.But as time went in and on, t
- I Am The Richest Man Alive
Chapter 468: Dreams Under Siege
The sun rose on the tiny apartment Justin and Lilly called their home. It was their first morning as husband and wife, and though the place was small, it felt like their own piece of heaven. Justin woke to the smell of coffee brewing from the kitchen and saw his newly wedded wife, Lilly, humming softly in the kitchen, her smile now brighter than the morning light.“Good morning, My darling wife,” Justin said as he wrapped his arms around her from behind in the kitchen.She laughed as she turned around to face him. “Good morning, my lovely husband. How does it feel to wake up as a married man?”“It feels perfect,” he said in response, with his voice warm with conviction. “No matter what happens, we will make this work.”Lilly nodded with her eyes sparkling with hope. “We will baby. Together.”He leaned in to kiss her softly, she also responded in equal measure as they both share a passionate morning kiss.The first few weeks of their marriage were filled optimism. They had little mone
- I Am The Richest Man Alive
Chapter 467: Commitment to Forever.
Lilly turned to face him with her eyes full of curiosity. “What do you mean?”“I mean, we have always known that we wnated to be together, but now that we have graduated, I think it is time to take that next and necessary step,” he said as his heart pounded in his chest.“Lilly, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to build a future with you, no matter what it takes.”Lilly's eyes softened, her expression was that of warmth and love. “I have always known that for a long time, Justin. But hearing you say it….”Her voice trailed off as she reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers. “I want that too. I want to spend forever with you.”Justin smiled brightly as a wave of relief and happiness wash over him. He had spent so much of his life trying to fight for everything he had, but in this moment, everything felt right. They had built something beautiful together, a love, a partnership, and a future.“I am glad,” he said with sincerity in his voice. “Because I want t
- I Am The Richest Man Alive
Chapter 466: Graduation and Commitment
The sound of applause echoed through the grand hall as Justin and Lilly stood side by side, caps and gowns in place, their hearts pounding with the weight of the moment. They had made it.After years of struggles, sacrifices, and relentless effort, they had finally reached the pinnacle of their academic journey. The Graduation Day.Justin's eyes met that of Lilly's in the crowded hall, her smile very bright against the sea of graduates. There was a quiet understanding between them , a shared sense of accomplishment that no words could truly capture.This was their moment, the culmination of everything they had fought for, everything they had built together in school. As the ceremony progressed, with speeches and ceremonial rituals, Justin could not help but reflect on the path that had brought him here.He thought about the days he had spent working multiple jobs, the nights he had spent studying while struggling to stay awake, and the moments when he had doubted whether it would all
- I Am The Richest Man Alive
Chapter 465: All the Difference.
They both sat in silence for a moment, both of them were lost in thought as they contemplate about the future they could create.They had always supported each other through everything, through the late nights studying, the financial struggles, the pressure from Lilly's family.But at the moment, as they both neared the end of their college journey, it felt like the foundation they had been building for the past few years was finally starting to take shape.“What do you see for us?” She finally asked quietly, her voice almost tentative.Justin looked at her, noticing the faint determination in her eyes. He could see that the she was becoming a woman, the woman she had always been, strong, capable, and dull of ambition. But he also saw the depth of love she had for him, the willingness to fight for those times and what they shared.“I can see us creating a life together,” he answered her slowly, thinking carefully about his words. “I see us working together, building something that is
- I Am The Richest Man Alive
Chapter 464: Building Foundations
The sun had barely risen as it casted a golden hue over the sprawling campus. Justin was sitting on the steps outside Lilly's apartment, his girlfriend, waiting for her to finish her morning routine. It was a rare moment of calm for him before the chaos of the day starts.His mind wandered back to the previous months, everything he and Lilly had gone through so far, everything they had overcome. It had not been easy but somehow, they both had managed to build something that felt solid, something that felt real and did not waver under the fears Lilly had.The door creaked open, and Lilly stepped outside, her hair ties backwards in a loose bun, a mug of coffee in her hand. She offered Justin a very tired smile, one that spoke volumes more than any words could.“Good morning,” Justin greeted her, his voice filled with affection as always.“Good morning to you too,” Lilly replied him as she sat down beside him, her body leaning against his in that comfortable way that had become second na
- I Am The Richest Man Alive
Chapter 463: Faith in the Future.
Justin's heart ached as he realized the depth of her internal struggle. He could see that it was not just about her family's disapproval, it was also about her fear of failing, her fear of choosing him and losing everything she had worked for.“Lilly, listen to me,” he said as he took her face in his hands. “I am not asking you to risk everything. I am asking you to take a chance on us. We have got dreams, we have got our ambition. We will figure it out, together. I promise you.”But even as he said those words, he knew it was not just her family that was a challenge. There were also the harsh realities of his financial struggles and hers as a student.Despite his part time job at the coffee shop and the small scholarships he had earned due to his academic brilliance since he got to college, money was always right. He saw the way Lilly pinched pennies too sometimes, the way she hesitated before spending on anything big or small atimes, like a coffee or a new textbook.The weight of th
- I Am The Richest Man Alive
Chapter 462: Trials of Love
The sound of raindrops tapping against the windows was the first thing Justin heard as he sat in the dimly lit living room of Lilly's small apartment. He had come to spend the evening with her after a long week of exams, but the atmosphere was not exactly the way he wanted it. There was evident tension in the air. Lilly had not been her usual self lately and it was easily noticeable. She seemed distant, her usual warmth had been replaced by an underlying sense of worry that she herself could not shake off.When she finally joined on the couch in the room, her expression was tired, her shoulders slumped in a way that spoke volumes. She had been quiet ever since she arrived, and Justin could feel the storm that seems to be brewing beneath the surface.He turned to her and asked gently. “Lilly,” he said as he took her hand in his softly. “Is anything the problem? What is going in?”She looked him, her eyes hoping to find some form of understanding in his face. She sighed before replyin
