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
128Once Michael was escorted out of the office, the administrators inside the vice dean's office, Richard, Elaine, and George began to exchange amused glances. They couldn't believe that someone like Michael had the audacity to challenge their authority."Did you see the look on his face?" the vice dean chuckled, shaking his head. "He actually thinks he can intimidate us.""Can you believe the audacity of that young man?" Richard said, his voice filled with disdain. He was a stout man in his late fifties, with thinning hair and a perpetual frown on his face.Elaine, a woman of around the same age with sharp features and piercing eyes, chuckled. "A clown indeed. Threatening us with his father's connections. As if we should be scared."George, a tall, lean man with graying hair, joined in the laughter. "Look at him, thinking he can save his friend from his own mistakes. It's almost pitiful."The woman smirked, leaning back in her chair. "It's quite entertaining, isn't it? These emotiona
Over the next few weeks, the university was abuzz with the news about the disciplinary hearing. The slap was the talk of the campus, and Michael's audacity became a symbol of resistance against the administration's high-handedness. Vice Dean Oakley, stung by the public humiliation, was desperate to regain his authority. He was eager to conclude the re-investigation and prove that the disciplinary committee was right all along. Meanwhile, Michael, James, and Arthur doubled their efforts. They were aware that the reopened investigation could be influenced by the Vice Dean's eagerness to prove them wrong. In the confines of Arthur's office, Michael and James huddled over pieces of evidence, their faces illuminated by the glow of the laptop screen. "Michael, look at this," James pointed towards a code snippet on the screen. "This is a unique piece of code that I would never use. It's too risky and leaves a trace."Michael's eyes widened in realization, "So whoever did this wanted to f
130Michael stood there, stunned by the sudden confrontation. The construction site had fallen into an eerie silence as everyone watched the drama unfold. He cursed himself inwardly for not trusting his instincts when he first found the landowner suspicious.Summoning his courage, Michael raised his voice and commanded, "Everyone back to work!" His words lacked their usual confidence, but he couldn't let this setback paralyze their progress.As the construction crew reluctantly resumed their tasks, Michael reached for his phone and dialed the landowner's number. After a few rings, the owner answered, his voice devoid of emotion, "Hello?""It's Mr. Ventura," Michael began, trying to keep his voice steady. "We need to discuss the land we purchased from you."The owner's response was cautious, "What can I do for you, Mr. Ventura?""There's been a complication," Michael explained urgently. "A man showed up today and tried to stop the construction. He claims the land was sold to a Mafia-ba
131In a dimly lit room across town, the mafia was hatching a devious plan for revenge."We need to teach this Ventura guy a lesson," the wiry man said, a malicious smile playing on his lips. "Let's sabotage his supply chain. Disrupt the delivery of construction materials to the port. That'll slow him down."Another member of the group chuckled darkly. "And let's not forget the anonymous threats. We'll keep bombarding him and his crew with messages, making them feel like they're constantly being watched."A third man, with a cruel glint in his eyes, added, "We'll make sure his workers are too terrified to set foot on that site. Break their spirit, and the project will crumble."The room filled with sinister laughter as they reveled in their twisted plot.The next few days were a whirlwind. Threats and anonymous calls started pouring in, targeting not just Michael but his entire construction crew. Workers were harassed, their families threatened, and their lives turned into a living nig