120Michael's phone rang, the familiar ringtone breaking the stillness of the car. It was his father calling, and Michael answered with a mix of anticipation and trepidation."Hello, Dad," he greeted, trying to keep his voice calm despite the torrent of emotions swirling within him."Michael, my boy," his father, Edward, replied warmly. "I must admit, I regret finding out about your accomplishments solely through the news. It would have meant a lot to have heard it directly from you."Michael's heart sank at the words. He had been so caught up in the chaos of freeing their company from the clutches of the mafia that he had neglected to inform his father personally. "I'm sorry, Dad," he said softly. "It's been such a whirlwind, and I wanted to make sure everything was settled before sharing the news."Edward's tone softened. "I understand, son. I truly do. And let me assure you, despite the unconventional means of learning about it, I am immensely proud of what you have accomplished."
Jayna smirked, clearly enjoying every second of this encounter. "Oh, really? So you're just a sad little loner then? Pathetic," she jeered, the mockery dripping from her words. Bella, Marc, and Matthew chimed in, their laughter resounding through the restaurant."Yeah, we all know Samantha left you because you're nothing but a loser, I'm sure you even still love him," Bella added, her voice filled with scorn. The words stung, and Michael felt his blood boil.Trying to maintain his composure, Michael replied firmly, "You're mistaken. I don't love Samantha anymore, and just so you know, lately Samantha has been begging me to get back with her. And I'm not a waiter, and I don't appreciate being treated like one."Jayna's smirk only grew wider as she took in Michael's response. "Oh, look at the little reject trying to defend himself," she sneered, her voice dripping with condescension. Bella, Marc, and Matthew cackled in unison, their laughter echoing off the restaurant walls."Yeah, like
122Kick them out immediately," the owner commanded firmly. "No explanations needed. We no longer welcome their presence here."Jayna and her entourage froze in shock as the guards swiftly carried out the owner's orders, forcibly removing them from the premises. Their protests fell on deaf ears, their disbelief mounting as they were cast out without a second thought.Inside the restaurant, Michael, still taken aback by the sudden turn of events, watched as Jayna and the others were led away. He felt a mix of sympathy and satisfaction, knowing that their arrogance had ultimately led to their own downfall.As the guards escorted Jayna, Bella, Marc, and Matthew out of the restaurant, their shocked expressions quickly turned into murmurs of disbelief and confusion. Jayna, still seething with anger, spoke up, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration and disbelief."This has to be some kind of coincidence," she exclaimed, barely able to contain her rage. "Michael? A big shot? More like
123Victoria's eyes sparkled mischievously as she twirled a strand of her chestnut hair. "So, what brings you to this charming little café, Michael?" she purred, leaning in closer.Michael, feeling a bead of sweat forming on his brow, cleared his throat nervously. "Oh, just meeting up with some friends," he replied, attempting to maintain his composure.Victoria's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Oh, don't worry about your friends. I'm sure they won't mind me joining you. Besides, I've been dying to catch up with you.""I appreciate your enthusiasm, but It would be best if you found another table." He said calmly.Victoria's voice dripped with playful enthusiasm. "Well, like i just said, I'm sure they won't mind if I join you. We used to be such good friends too, remember?"Michael's heart skipped a beat. He needed to think quickly. "Victoria, I appreciate the sentiment, but we're actually having a private gathering. It's important business, you know."A hint o
124Donovan watched as Victoria hurriedly left the group, his heart sinking. He couldn't understand why she was acting so distant and avoiding him. Feeling a mix of confusion and disappointment, he turned to Michael."Hey, Michael. I don't get it. Did I do something wrong? Victoria seems to be avoiding me," Donovan said, a hint of sadness in his voice.Michael sighed, realizing the impact of the situation on Donovan. "Donovan, I'm not sure what happened between you two, but it seems like there's some unresolved tension. Maybe it's best to give her some space for now," he advised, trying to be understanding.Donovan nodded, still feeling a bit hurt but willing to respect Victoria's boundaries. "Yeah, you're right. I'll try to give her some space. I just hope we can talk and clear things up soon," he replied, his voice filled with hope.Meanwhile, Robert noticed the conversation between Donovan and Michael and decided to approach them. He knew that he was partly responsible for the awkwa
125Michael nodded, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Yes, it's mine," he revealed, enjoying the surprise on her face.Emily's eyes widened even further, her excitement growing. "But how? Where did you get the money for this?" She asked " I mean How did you manage to get it?" she asked, her voice full of curiosity and suspicion.Michael chuckled, realizing that Emily had some doubts about his sudden acquisition. He thought carefully about how to explain without revealing the true extent of their family's wealth."Well, Emily, let's just say I made some smart investments," he replied, giving her a cryptic answer.Emily's suspicions grew, and she even jokingly asked,"Are you involved in shady activities or part of the mafia Michael ?" Michael burst into laughter, finding her suspicions amusing."No, no, nothing like that," he reassured her. "The truth is, this car was actually for me. I wanted to treat myself, but then I realized it would mean more to me if I gave it to someone
126A few minutes later, a man in his late 50s arrived. He had a stern expression and a cautious demeanor. He greeted them politely, but there was an air of unease around him."Good morning, gentlemen," the owner said, his voice slightly shaky. "I have brought the land title, as requested. Let's discuss the details."Michael noticed the owner's nervousness but brushed it off, attributing it to the importance of the transaction. "Thank you for joining us," he replied, extending his hand for a handshake.The owner hesitated for a moment before shaking Michael's hand. "I must say, I wasn't expecting such interest in this property. It's been in my family for generations, you know."Robert smiled reassuringly. "We understand the sentimental value, but we believe this land has great potential. We're looking forward to making it a hub for our company's growth."The owner seemed somewhat relieved by Robert's words. "Well, let's get down to business then. I've prepared an offer for you."As the
"That's insane! Have you contacted the university? They need to investigate this properly and clear your name," Michael suggested, his voice filled with urgency.James let out a deep sigh. "I've tried, but it feels like they've already made up their minds. They think I'm guilty, and it's tearing me apart."A surge of determination coursed through Michael's veins. He knew he had to do something to help his friend."Listen, James, I won't let them destroy your future. We'll hire the best lawyer, gather evidence, and fight this injustice. You're not alone in this," Michael vowed, his voice filled with resolve.There was a brief moment of silence before James spoke again, his voice filled with gratitude and hope. "Thank you, Michael. Your unwavering support means the world to me. I don't know what I would do without you."A small smile tugged at the corners of Michael's lips. "We've been through so much together, and I won't let this situation break us. We'll uncover the truth and make thi