After what felt like an eternity of suspense, Oliver delivered a bombshell, his tone resolute and commanding. “As part of my actions as CEO, Mr. Smith’s services are no longer required here. Security, please escort him out.”The room fell into an awestruck silence as Oliver's words lingered in the air. Eyes widened, and a few mouths dropped open in disbelief. Whispers of shock rippled through the room, disbelief mixing with a sense of foreboding.Meanwhile, Mr Smith’s face went pale as Oliver's words hit him like a sledgehammer. His knees buckled slightly, and he instinctively stepped forward, his hands trembling as he tried to grasp at anything to stop the inevitable. "Please, Mr. Howard… Oliver… this is all just a misunderstanding. Give me another chance, I beg you!" His voice cracked, filled with desperation, as he looked around the room for support, but found only averted eyes and silent stares.Oliver remained unfazed, his expression stern and unyielding. "Mr. Smith, "there’s n
After an intense first day as CEO, Oliver felt like he was carrying the weight of the entire company on his shoulders. The exhaustion tugged at him, and his stomach rumbled in hunger reminding him that he hadn’t eaten all day. He took a glance at his watch and it was already 4 p.m, far past lunchtime.Feeling utterly drained and knowing he couldn’t go on without a moment to breathe, he needed to eat before tackling anything else, he headed to a large mall not far from his workplace to get something.As soon as he entered the mall, the first thing he noticed was people gathering in circles, and it seemed like a commotion was going on there. Too exhausted to care about another person's problems, especially after the day he’d had, he decided to continue with his activity. But then, he heard threatening laughs and mocking jeers, it sounded like someone was being bullied.His curiosity piqued and he decided to check it out for himself. Forcing his way through the gathered crowd, he finall
Meanwhlle of the guy's friends, equally enraged, prowled back and forth like a caged beast, his fists clenched, eyes burning with a wild intensity. "You think you're Jet Li now?" he taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. "Do you even know what she did before you jumped in like some kind of hero? You’re gonna regret this, man.""And so what?" Oliver barked. "What could she have done?" His eyes then flicked over to the scattered items on the floor. His gaze hardened as he met the guy’s furious stare. "Is that why you wanted to slap her? Because of these worthless items?" Oliver gestured to the broken items scattered across the floor, visibly angry now.Oliver continued, "And if you wanted to flex your powers, why not go to the boxing ring and fight with someone who’s your match? What kind of man finds satisfaction in bullying a woman? You think that makes you tough? It just makes you pathetic, you fool!"But the guy sneered, his wicked smile widening as he dismissed Oliver's words.
The word hit Oliver like a wave, surprise washed over his face, his brow arching as he stared at the guy in disbelief.He found the guy’s response almost hilarious, a smirk forming at the corner of his mouth. “Are you sure you're not insane? Oliver snarled. "I paid for it, so it’s mine now,” he responded, his tone sharp and unwavering.But the guy’s face twisted with fury, his eyes narrowing as he tried to protest. “You can’t just take my phone like that,” he barked, his voice rising in anger. “What then happens to my contacts and messages you bastard?”But Oliver wasn’t about to back down. The guy’s bullying tactics had no effect on him. With a steely glare, he remained firm, refusing to be intimidated. Angrily, he pulled out the SIM card from the phone and tossed it at the guy with a dismissive flick of his wrist. He then turned to the girl, handing her the phone. “It’s yours now,” he said, his voice firm yet gentle. “No one’s going to bully you over this again. You’re free from
Oliver’s pulse raced as he saw the black sedan still tailing him. His heart pounded in his chest as he realized who was following him. Fear gripped him, those guys from the mall were brutal, and he knew they wouldn't stop until they had their revenge. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white as his mind raced, desperately trying to come up with a plan. He hit his hand against the steering wheel in frustration, his thoughts jumbled and panicked."Think, think!" he muttered to himself, struggling to find a way out. He was drawing a blank, and the looming danger only made it harder to focus.Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind. He grabbed his phone and dialed Simon's number, his hands trembling as he held the wheel with one hand and he kept one eye on the road. When Simon answered, Oliver didn't waste any time. "Simon, I’m in deep trouble—serious trouble, and I need serious help, now!" Oliver said, his voice tight with urgency."Young master, what's th
The menacing rumble of the bikes closed in, signaling that the time for talk was over. Oliver’s heart pounded as he braced himself for whatever was coming next, hoping against hope that Simon’s backup would arrive in time.The guy had barely finished his statement when three roaring motorbikes and a battered mini car screeched to a halt in front of them.The bikes, ridden by men wearing dark, intimidating gear, skidded to a dramatic stop, their engines growling aggressively. The mini car, old but rugged, parked with a commanding flair, its tires kicking up dust as it came to a sudden stop. The men got off from their bikes flaunting heavy sticks and iron bars, while the people in the mini car stepped out, with chains. They moved smoothly and with a threatening air, each step showing they meant business.The men gave a ghetto salute, nodding respectfully and addressing the guy with deference. “Boss, what’s the play?”The guy, now basking in his newfound power, pointed directly at Olive
The guy and his men, once brimming with arrogance, could only stare in stunned silence, their confidence evaporating like mist in the morning sun.The harsh reality of their situation hit them like a sledgehammer, leaving them breathless and wide-eyed. Never in their darkest nightmares could they have foreseen such a sudden and catastrophic turn of events.The guy’s demeanor changed in an instant. The menacing confidence melted away, replaced by a desperate attempt to salvage the situation. He forced a smile, the kind of smile that someone wears when they realize they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. “My friend,” he stammered, his voice shaking, “can’t one joke with you anymore? Because of a little joke, you’ve decided to call the entire military?”Oliver’s laughter grew colder, more menacing. “Did you just say ‘joke’? With all those threats of taking my entire money, my car... those slaps?” He touched his cheek where the sting of their blows still lingered. “You call those jok
Oliver’s men’s faces showed a mix of satisfaction and happiness as they heard Oliver's command. Their eyes focused, ready to get the job done. The leader of the team with a serious expression gave a firm nod and a slight smile.“Understood, young master,” he replied, his voice carrying a note of approval.Meanwhile, the guys who had bullied Oliver were wide-eyed and panic-stricken as they heard his orders. Their earlier arrogance had now evaporated and been replaced by sheer fear.Without hesitation, one of the men quickly went to their trunk and returned with two Jerry-cans of water. The moment those guys saw what was happening, they watched in horror, their eyes widening as they realized what was coming.Their eyes darted between Oliver and the approaching figures, and they tried to stammer out desperate pleas, their voices trembling. The realization of what was about to happen was written clearly on their faces.Meanwhile, Oliver’s lips curled into a sinister smile as the cans were
"Doesn’t he know Mr. Hawkins?" a tall man in the back commented. "This CEO doesn’t tolerate disrespect, even in small things like parking. His job's probably over before it even started."Some people chuckled softly at the thought, while others exchanged worried glances."Bold for a newbie, huh?" someone remarked, shaking their head. "He doesn’t know who he’s messing with."Amidst the chatter, Oliver’s mind was racing. He felt a storm brewing inside him, the anger and frustration bubbling just below the surface. This public humiliation—the insults, the crowd gawking at him like some sort of spectacle—it was infuriating. He knew he had the power to retaliate, to put this man in his place. But he also knew that violence wasn’t the answer. Not here, not now. Oliver’s chest rose and fell with each steadying breath as he controlled his emotions, eyes hardening with resolve.Finally, he addressed the CEO. “Mr. Hawkins,” Oliver began, his voice steady but tinged with the simmering fire be
Oliver clenched his fists at his sides, struggling to hold his temper as the man’s arrogance reached new heights. The onlookers whispered more fervently now, curious to see how the standoff would end. The CEO’s relentless tirade had now transformed the gathering into a spectacle, where Oliver had become the subject of ridicule and questioning. Still, nobody knew who he really was.The security guard, who had been silently watching the entire ordeal, had grown increasingly irritated by the CEO’s pompous attitude. The arrogance, the way the man flaunted his authority—it was too much. He finally decided to step in, hoping to diffuse the tension."Mr. Hawkins," the guard started, addressing the CEO, "he’s promised to move the car—"But before he could finish, Mr. Hawkins turned his icy glare towards the guard, his eyes flashing with rage. In one swift motion, before anyone could react, Hawkins landed a menacing slap across the guard’s face. The sound echoed through the parking lot like a
After a long, exhausting night, Oliver returned home and collapsed into bed, drifting into the deepest sleep he'd had in days. He slept soundly, like a baby, too tired to even dream. Morning came quickly, and a soft knock on the door stirred him awake. The door creaked open, and his mother stepped inside, her presence filling the room with warmth."Good morning, Oliver," she said with a soft smile, "Did you sleep well?""Yeah, I did," Oliver replied, rubbing his eyes. "Morning, Mom."She approached the bed, sitting lightly on the edge. “I need you to visit Pearl Dynamics today. I was supposed to go myself, but something came up. You know how I’ve always insisted that you get more involved with the companies. It's important that you understand how each one operates.”Oliver sighed heavily, still feeling the weight of last night’s events, but he knew this was non-negotiable. “Alright, I’ll handle it,” he said, forcing himself out of bed.After his mother left, he dragged himself to the
Gasps filled the room. The weight of the revelation hit everyone like a tidal wave. Vanessa’s jaw dropped as she stared at the price in disbelief, her hands trembling slightly. Anita’s eyes widened, and a look of awe replaced her earlier skepticism. There was a murmur of shock and admiration as everyone absorbed what they had just witnessed."Four hundred thousand dollars?" someone whispered, stunned."That’s insane," another added. "I didn’t even know you could get a custom Patek like that."Nathan, on the other hand, was left speechless. The blood drained from his face as if all his confidence had evaporated in an instant. His once smug expression faltered, replaced by sheer disbelief. His gift—while appreciated—was a far cry from what Oliver had just unveiled. The room buzzed with whispers as people began comparing Nathan’s painting to Oliver’s gift."It’s not even close," someone muttered, loud enough for Nathan to hear. "Oliver’s on a whole different level.""Yeah, Nathan’s gif
Despite her defense, Oliver wasn’t satisfied. He couldn't shake off the overwhelming sense of betrayal—not from the people around him but from the circumstances that had conspired to humiliate him. His insistence on proving himself only spurred Nathan's amusement further.Nathan burst into mocking laughter, his voice echoing through the room. "Oh, this is just too rich," he sneered. "Mistakenly picked the wrong one? C'mon, Oliver, don’t kid yourself. If it walks like a fraud, talks like a fraud, well... it’s probably a fraud."Oliver’s frustration was mounting. He grabbed his phone, dialing his mother’s number again, the cold sweat on his forehead betraying his rising desperation. When the call didn’t go through, his grip tightened, and he cursed under his breath. Nathan’s taunts grew more relentless. "You’re a joke, man," he said, his tone dripping with condescension. "Trying to pull this off like you’re some big shot, and now look at you—sweating bullets over a fake watch. You m
Another girl in the corner whispered, "It’s embarrassing. I thought Oliver had more class than this."Nathan circled around Oliver, his voice dripping with mockery."You wanted to make me look like a fool, huh? Well, how’s it feel now? Must hurt, doesn’t it? Standing there, trying to defend a cheap knockoff while I’ve got a real, genuine gift." He leaned in closer, his grin menacing. "Face it, Oliver. You’re nothing but a fraud, and everyone here sees it now."Oliver stood there, his composure cracking. "I know it's not fake," he repeated, his voice quieter now, almost as if he were convincing himself as much as everyone else. "There’s been a mistake… it has to be."But the more he protested, the more Nathan’s smirk grew. "Mistake?" Nathan scoffed. "The only mistake here is you thinking you could come in here and show me up. But now everyone knows the truth, Oliver. You're just a guy trying to punch above his weight, and you fell flat on your face."Anita, who had been quiet througho
"He started it! Two can play this game, right? If Oliver's so sure, why doesn’t he show the receipt for his fancy watch? Or better yet, let’s check the authenticity right now!"The room grew quiet as Nathan’s challenge hung in the air. Oliver, calm as ever, didn’t flinch. He merely replied, "Show the receipt for your painting first, Nathan. After that, I’ll be happy to provide mine."A murmur went through the crowd as people exchanged curious glances. The tension was thick, almost tangible, as they awaited Nathan’s response. But before Nathan could come up with an excuse, someone else from the party chimed in. "Why don’t we just check online? Patek Philippe has an official site where you can validate their products using the serial number. Let’s see if it’s genuine."Anita, standing close to Oliver, felt a knot form in her stomach. Her fingers twitched with anxiety. She knew Oliver had money and could easily afford a watch like that, but the idea of him being humiliated in front of e
Nathan's eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, a flicker of fear crossed his face. But he quickly masked it with more arrogance, his voice rising in desperation. “You're talking nonsense. You're just bitter because you can't afford anything like this, and now you're trying to ruin the night. You're just some arrogant narcissist.”Anita, sensing that the tension was about to boil over, stepped between them. "Come on, this isn’t necessary," she pleaded, her hands out in front of her. “It’s a party. Let’s not ruin it over this.”But Oliver was resolute. “If Nathan’s so sure about the authenticity of his gift,” he said, locking eyes with Nathan, “then I’d like to prove that the painting is not original.”The room fell silent at Oliver’s bold challenge. Nathan’s expression faltered again, but he quickly masked his unease with more bravado."Prove it?" Nathan scoffed, though his voice had lost some of its earlier confidence. “You’re just trying to make me look bad. You’re the one ruinin
He glanced at Anita once more, hoping that the grand gesture would make her fall for him. But Anita remained stoic, her expression unreadable, though her eyes flickered with something more calculating than impressed.Meanwhile, Oliver, who had been observing silently, maintained his calm demeanor, though a subtle smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Nathan might have thought he’d outshone everyone, but Oliver had seen enough of such displays to know where this was headed. He knew arrogance often led to a downfall. He just had to wait.Meanwhile, Nathan was in his element, soaking up the admiration from the room. He grinned from ear to ear, loving every second of the attention. Vanessa couldn’t stop gushing about the gift, her voice high with excitement.“You never cease to amaze me, Nathan,” she said, her eyes still wide with disbelief. “This is... I don’t even know how to thank you! This is the most expensive gift I’ve ever received!”Nathan, feeling on top of the world, brushed