" Can we find a place to talk?" Victoria asked.Michael's confusion only deepened, but curiosity compelled him to comply. "Alright, let's find somewhere private."As they moved away from the entrance of the hotel, Michael couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that something was amiss. He mustered the courage to ask, "Victoria, I can't help but wonder... What's really going on?"Victoria's demeanor shifted slightly, a hint of seduction seeping into her voice. "It was quite a surprise to see you here."He eyed her suspiciously. "What do you want, Victoria?"She batted her eyelashes coyly. "Is it so strange to want to catch up with an old friend?"Michael snorted. "We were never friends, Victoria. You used to call me a nerd and a loser."She brushed a strand of hair out of her face, sauntering closer. "But you're not a nerd or a loser, Michael. You're so...handsome."He rolled his eyes. "Is that supposed to convince me to talk to you?"Victoria stepped closer, her stilettos clicking on
40Deeply frustrated, yet determined, he stared at them squarely, his eyes reflecting a mixture of anger and hurt.As the commotion at the entrance continued, a young woman passing by noticed the growing tension. Curiosity piqued, she approached the gatekeepers, offering her assistance."Excuse me," she interjected politely, "but I couldn't help but overhear. May I take a look at the ticket?"Reluctantly, one of the gatekeepers handed the ticket over to her, his annoyance barely concealed. The young woman inspected the ticket carefully, her skeptical expression gradually transforming into one of surprise."I'm sorry to inform you," she began, her voice filled with genuine concern, "but both of you are wrong. This ticket is indeed valid for today's event. It seems there was a mix-up in your database."Embarrassment washed over the gatekeepers as the weight of their mistake settled upon them. Michael who had been desperately defending the authenticity of his ticket, couldn't help but fe
41As the insults continued to fly, they were interrupted by the organizer of the event, a tall man with a commanding presence, clapped his hands together. "Gentlemen, please take your seats. The seminarians will be arriving shortly." Chairs were lined up at the back of the room, and the group begrudgingly made their way to their seats. Michael sat next to the trio.In the midst of the commotion, the door swung open, and Billy James, the renowned banker, entered the room. The crowd erupted with thunderous applause, acknowledging his presence. Billy James, humbled by the reception, made his way to the front, beaming with gratitude.One by one, the seminarians took turns speaking, sharing their experiences and wisdom with the captivated audience. Each dialogue unfolded, painting a vivid tapestry of inspiration and knowledge. The room grew still, the insults from before forgotten as the words of the seminarians captured everyone's attention.Finally, it was Billy James' turn to speak. H
42Discreetly, Michael pulled out his phone and made a transfer, initiating an exorbitant donation that far surpassed anything anyone else had contributed. But he had a special request - his donation was to remain anonymous. As the trio's taunting and mocking continued, Robert, Carl, and Steven took turns belittling Michael, unaware of his secret contribution. Their words cut deep, their insults growing more callous.Robert sneered, "Hey, have you seen Michael? I heard he's trying to make a donation. Probably just a few pennies from his piggy bank. Poor boy must be scraping the bottom of the barrel. He surely think he can compete with us."Carl chimed in, his laughter filled with condescension, "Oh, Michael, bless his little heart. What a joke! His donation won't even make a dent, that won't even be enough for a decent meal. He's just trying to play in the big leagues, but he's out of his league."Steven joined the mockery, fueling their collective ego further, "I can't help but feel
43The room fell into a heavy silence as everyone contemplated the situation. Their minds were clouded with confusion and disbelief. How could this happen? Who could be behind such a substantial contribution?One by one, they voiced their questions, their voices filled with a mix of astonishment and frustration. "Is this some kind of sick joke?" one of them exclaimed, unable to wrap their head around the gravity of the situation. "I mean, who would have the audacity to make such a significant contribution without any prior indication?"Another person, still trying to process the information, chimed in with a tinge of skepticism. "Could it be a miscalculation? Maybe there was an error in the data or a misinterpretation of some sort?"A voice from the back of the room, hesitant and filled with doubt, suggested a possible conspiracy. "What if this is a lie, to force us to contribute a little more? Someone with a hidden agenda trying to manipulate our decisions and alter the course of th
44As Michael reached the stage, the room remained in a hushed silence, all eyes fixated on him. The organizer, with a knowing smile, introduced Michael as the anonymous donor who had made a profound impact on their cause.The trio watched in astonishment as Michael took the microphone, his voice steady and filled with sincerity. "I may not have the wealth or status that you all expect from a donor, but I believe in the power of unity and making a difference. I wanted to contribute in a way that would inspire others, regardless of their circumstances."The room erupted into applause, a mixture of admiration and newfound respect for Michael. Robert, Carl, and Steven exchanged glances, their initial shock giving way to a sense of jealousy and hatred.After the applause died down, the organizer approached Michael, extending gratitude once again. "Thank you so much, Mr. Ventura. Your contribution means the world to us."Michael, humbled by the attention, smiled and replied, "Please, there
45Shocked and concerned, Michael instructed the taxi driver to stop. "Stop! Stop the taxi!" Michael urgently shouted, his heart racing with concern for whoever was trapped inside the wrecked car. The driver, a grizzled old man with strands of gray hair, cast a worried glance in the rearview mirror."Son, it's too dangerous. We should keep moving," the taxi driver cautioned, trying to dissuade Michael.But Michael, overcome with worry for the car's occupants, knew he couldn't just sit idly by. "Please, I can't ignore this. There might be someone who needs help! Call the emergency services!"The old taxi driver's weathered face betrayed a touch of hesitation, his gnarled fingers slowly reaching for his cell phone. "Son, the tunnel has no network. I'll have to move away to make the call," he replied, reluctance tugging at his voice.Desperation etched across his face, Michael pleaded with all his might. "Please, sir. I beg you. We can't waste any time. Lives could be at stake!"Moved by
A paramedic, a seasoned professional with a stern expression, leaned over the motionless figure lying before him. "We can't waste any time. His condition is critical," he exclaimed, voicing the urgency that hung heavy in the air. Michael fidgeted with nerves as he watched them in awe, amazed at their expertise. One of the paramedics glanced up at him in surprise. "Hey, you alright? Did you witness the accident?" she asked, concern lacing her voice."No, I was here's when it happened," Michael replied, his voice shaky. "I'm just glad you're here to help."The paramedic looked at Michael in admiration. "You did a good job guiding us here. Quick thinking can make all the difference in situations like these."Michael nodded gratefully, trying to ignore the conversation happening among the paramedics. They seemed bewildered by the state of Robert's wound. "It's incredible that he's still conscious. That wound is massive." Another paramedic exclaimed suprise.As they carefully loaded Rob