Chapitre 16:Michael sat at the coffee shop with his sister Emily, sipping on his latte and enjoying their conversation. The atmosphere was cozy, with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. As they chatted, Emily suddenly grimaced and said, "Oh no. I think all that coffee is finally affecting my stomach. Can I quickly use the bathroom?"Concerned, Michael replied, "Of course, take your time, Em. Don't worry, I'll be right here."With a sense of urgency, Emily excused herself and quickly walked towards the closest restroom. Michael watched her go, momentarily shifting his thoughts from the beautiful surroundings to his sister's well-being.As Michael patiently waited, he took a moment to look around and observe his surroundings, and that's when he noticed her – a stunning woman sitting alone at a nearby table. Her brows were furrowed, and her phone conversation seemed intense. She spoke in hushed tones, frustration evident in her voice."I can't believe this is happening,"
The next day, Michael went to a clothing shop to buy new clothes for his sister Emily. While browsing through the aisles, he heard voices coming from a corner shelf. Curious, he made his way towards the voices and was surprised to see the woman from the coffee shop, and Maxwell, the millionaire who had harassed Emily. The woman next to him was trembling.Maxwell sneered when he saw Michael. "Well, well, well. What do we have here?" Maxwell said, his eyes trained on Michael. "If it isn't the little nobody from the coffee shop."Michael rolled his eyes, unimpressed by Maxwell's taunts. "What are you doing here, Maxwell? Trying to make another woman's life miserable?"Maxwell sneered. "I'm just enjoying my freedom, something you know nothing about."Michael narrowed his eyes, ready to pounce. "You know, Maxwell, I think you're just a coward. You think you can use your money to control people's lives, but you're nothing without it. Just a pathetic little man who doesn't know how to treat
18Olivia explained that she had already hired a PR agency, but it didn't seem to be enough to counter Maxwell's negative influence.Michael turned his attention to the room, his gaze fixed on Olivia, he then placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "First things first, Olivia, do you have any employees or trusted colleagues who can help us? We need to gather support."Olivia hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, I do. Lara, my assistant, has been by my side through thick and thin. She's been incredibly loyal."Michael's eyes lit up. "That's fantastic." Michael said with determination."Let's bring Lara in and discuss our next steps."Lara, with a determined look in her eyes, entered the office. "Olivia, I overheard everything. I'm here for you, ready to do whatever it takes."Over the next few days, the trio worked tirelessly to rebuild Olivia's damaged reputation. They gathered in Olivia's office, engaging in passionate discussions and sharing ideas.Olivia, her voice filled wi
The following evening, Michael, dressed in a sharp suit, accompanied Olivia to the charity dinner. His suit was a high-end custom-made offered by his father Edward Ventura.Excitement buzzed in the air as they arrived at the charity dinner, thrilled to be a part of such a prestigious event. As they walked through the door, Michael's custom-made suit caught the attention of the other guests. Whispers and murmurs filled the room."Look at him, he doesn't even have the logo on his suit," snickered a woman in a designer gown, pointing at Michael."Oh, how embarrassing it must be to not have the latest trend on your outfit," added a man in flashy sunglasses. "He probably couldn't afford it," snorted another woman, rolling her eyes. "I wouldn't be caught dead wearing something so outdated.""Why would he even bother showing up here?" questioned a man with a disdainful smirk. "Clearly, he doesn't belong in this elite crowd."Olivia's smile faltered as she heard the whispers, feeling a pang
During the charity dinner, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation as the auction segment was about to begin. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight for this wonderful cause."The elegant host stepped forward, welcoming the guests and thanking them for their support towards the good cause. As she spoke, the crowd listened attentively, hanging on her every word."And now, ladies and gentlemen," the host continued, "we come to the most exciting part of the evening. Our auction segment, where we have an incredible array of items up for bidding, all for a noble cause. The bidding is about to begin, so please keep your paddles ready!"The room erupted in applause as the auction began. Among the items up for bid was a stunning piece of fine jewelry, a breathtaking necklace adorned with shimmering diamonds and a rare sapphire was gently placed on the velvet display, its beauty captivating the room. The gemstones twinkled under the glow of the chandeliers, casting an e
With a malicious glint in his eyes, Maxwell turned towards Michael, a smirk playing on his lips. "Eighty thousand dollars," he declared, his voice echoing through the silent room. His gaze met Michael's, holding a clear message. "Can you afford that, Michael?"The room held its breath, the tension palpable. Guests exchanged glances, whispers fluttering like butterflies around the room. The host, a man seasoned in countless auctions, had never experienced such an electrifying spectacle. He raised an intrigued eyebrow, his eyes scanning the room in anticipation of the upcoming spectacle.Michael's gaze met Maxwell's with unwavering determination, a cool confidence emanating from him. The corners of his mouth twitched, resembling a slight smile as he contemplated his next move. The room held its breath, the tension palpable, as everyone eagerly awaited Michael's response.A few whispered exclamations danced through the crowd as Michael's voice cut through the silence, "Two hundred thousa
Olivia, who had been cheering for Michael's success in winning the bid, felt a pang of jealousy pierce her heart. "I can't understand why Michael would spend such an exorbitant amount on a necklace just for a girl." She thought assuming it was for the girl she first saw him with at the coffee shop. This girl was actually Emily . Her eyes darted around the room, and she noticed the expressions of shock and awe on the faces of the other guests.One woman wide-eyed and amazed, whispered to her companion, "Did you see that? He just won the bid for an eight hundred thousand dollar necklace! Who is this guy?"Another man, his eyebrows raised in disbelief, muttered, "Must be nice to have that kind of money to throw around."Olivia couldn't tear her eyes away from Michael as he approached her, the necklace glimmering in his hand. He looked at her with a soft smile. "This is for you, Liv," he said, his voice laced with warmth.Her jaw dropped, and she couldn't believe her eyes. "Is that... f
Michael's phone buzzed interrupting his quiet evening at home he'd planned for himself. The caller ID read, "James." Michael’s heart softened, a smile tugging at his lips. James was a good friend, the kind who'd been there for him when things had been rough, especially during the time Ryan had tossed him into a trash alley. James had been his savior, providing him with fresh clothes and healing oils."Hey, James," Michael greeted, "It’s been a while. How have you been?"James's voice came over the line, warm and familiar. “I’ve been good, Mike. Listen, I was calling to invite you to my cousin's birthday. Melody's turning 23, you remember her?”A pang of reluctance hit him. Melody was far from his favorite person. “Ah, James, you know she and I don’t exactly get along.”James was quick to reassure him. “I know, I know. But she’s changed, Mike. I promise she won’t give you a hard time. Besides, I could use a friendly face there.”Michael sighed. He owed James, and he was not one to for