Oliver took a moment to steady himself, feeling the sting of the crowd's increasingly vicious jeers. Their judgment was relentless, and the weight of their scorn began pressing down on him. He knew that staying would only worsen the situation, so he decided to leave. Just as he turned to make his exit, something caught his eye through the large windows of the bank. Outside, two tinted Land Cruiser jeeps pulled up—vehicles that exuded wealth and power. As the crowd inside the bank noticed the scene unfolding, their attention shifted slightly. A guard in a sharp suit stepped out of the first car and opened the back door. From within emerged an elderly man, though not too elderly, perhaps in his late 60s. He wore an impeccably tailored suit that hugged his frame with the elegance of someone used to commanding respect. His hair was neatly combed back, and his posture was upright, radiating an aura of authority and control. He had a polished air about him—his wristwatch gleamed gold, a
But as Oliver finished, something unexpected happened.The mention of the name "Oliver Howard" seemed to pierce the director’s composure. His once stoic expression cracked, and for a brief moment, his eyes widened, a flicker of shock crossing his face. His lips parted slightly as if to speak, but no words came. His right hand, which had been resting casually on his cane, gripped it tighter, the knuckles whitening. He shifted on his feet, his posture stiffening unconsciously. His brow furrowed ever so slightly, and he blinked, as though trying to process what he had just heard.He cleared his throat, almost as if to regain control, but his surprise was evident to anyone paying attention. The air in the room felt even heavier, and the crowd could sense that something monumental had just been said, though they couldn’t fully grasp its significance. Oliver, seeing the man’s reaction, felt a wave of nervousness sweep over him, his heart pounding faster. For a few seconds, it seemed as
Oliver stood firm, his voice steady but laced with growing curiosity as he sensed the shift in Mr. Nicholas's demeanor. “Yes, sir, she’s my mother.”For a moment, Mr. Nicholas remained silent, his piercing gaze studying Oliver with newfound respect. His brow furrowed slightly, as if connecting distant memories. Finally, he spoke again, more composed this time. “Your mother... I knew her many years ago. She was a remarkable woman, sharp, relentless in her pursuits, and always three steps ahead of everyone else. She commanded respect wherever she went. It was impossible not to admire her drive and intellect.”The crowd, which had been jeering and taunting only moments before, now stood in stunned silence. Whispers rippled through them, growing louder with each passing second as they began to understand the gravity of the situation."Wait, did he just say Madam President?""He's... her son? The Madam President?""No way, this can’t be real...""But if he’s telling the truth, we’ve been
The sound echoed through the bank like a thunderclap. Wilson staggered backward, his hand flying to his stinging cheek. His eyes were wide with disbelief as he processed the instant and unbelievable twist in his fate. Even in his wildest dreams, he could never have imagined receiving a slap from the director of the bank, Nicholas Brian himself.The crowd gasped collectively, their astonishment rippling through the room like wildfire.“Did that just happen?!”“He slapped him!”“No way... Wilson got slapped by the director?”“I never thought I’d see something like this...”People whispered in shock, their eyes darting between Wilson and Mr. Brian, barely able to process the scene unfolding before them.Wilson stood there, speechless, his cheek still burning as he clutched it in disbelief. His confidence had evaporated, leaving him stunned and humiliated. His lips trembled as he tried to form words, but nothing came out.Mr. Brian, his face flushed with anger, pointed a finger at him an
Swallowing hard, Wilson forced the words out, each syllable feeling like shards of glass in his throat. “I... apologize, Oliver,” he said, his voice strained and devoid of sincerity. The apology felt hollow, and anyone paying attention could sense it. The bitterness of the moment was etched on Wilson’s face, his lips pressed into a tight line as though the very act of speaking left a foul taste in his mouth.But the fear, the deep, gnawing fear of what Mr. Brian could do, of the secrets he could expose—was enough to compel him to comply. The thought of his escapades being laid bare, of his reputation being shredded in front of these very people, terrified him more than the humiliation of apologizing. His pride was wounded, but his survival instincts had kicked in.Mr. Brian watched Wilson closely, his expression unreadable. Though he could tell that the apology wasn’t heartfelt, there was a certain satisfaction in having forced the man to swallow his pride. At least Wilson had don
As Oliver followed Mr. Brian, the imposing façade of the bank loomed over them, its towering structure a reflection of the power and wealth it housed. They walked through a large corridor adorned with marble floors, glass walls, and towering pillars. The grandeur of the place was undeniable. Finally, they arrived at Mr. Brian’s sprawling office, a mammoth room that exuded wealth and power. The office was adorned with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline. Rich mahogany bookshelves lined one wall, filled with leather-bound books, trophies, and awards, while an intricately carved wooden desk sat at the center of the room. The furniture was plush, with deep leather chairs and a long polished table that reflected the soft glow of the chandelier hanging above. The space was elegant yet commanding, with modern art hanging on the walls and subtle touches of gold accents in the décor. Mr. Brian gestured to one of the luxurious chairs opposite his de
A satisfied smile spread across Mr. Brian’s face. “Excellent. I knew you had the foresight and the strength to see the potential here.” He extended his hand across the table, and Oliver shook it firmly.The partnership was sealed, and both men understood that this deal had the potential to shape the future of their respective organizations in ways neither had fully anticipated.As soon as the words left Oliver’s mouth, Mr. Brian’s face lit up with a broad smile of satisfaction. “Excellent!” he exclaimed, nearly leaping from his seat. “I’ll have my team prepare the contracts immediately. This is the beginning of something monumental, Oliver. I can already see us doing great things together.”He shook Oliver’s hand firmly once more, his excitement palpable. “You’ve made a wise decision. Our partnership will not only elevate both our firms but set new standards in the industry. I have no doubt this will be a defining moment for both of us.” Mr. Brian’s confidence and enthusiasm filled
He was only one small push away from making a scene that would destroy the restaurant’s calm atmosphere.Then, just as he was sinking deeper into his seething thoughts, his phone buzzed on the table. The screen lit up with a number he knew well. He glared at the phone, fighting the urge to answer it. Whatever the caller had to say, he didn’t care to hear it. Not when his day had already been ruined beyond repair.Still, the phone kept buzzing, but Victor ignored it, letting it ring out as he fumed in his seat. He didn’t need more bad news. He couldn’t handle more devastation. Not when his mind was already filled with thoughts of revenge, imagining every way to bring Oliver Howard to his knees.And so he sat there, in the quiet corner of La Finesse, consumed by his dark thoughts, barely able to keep his anger from boiling over.Victor, still feeling a storm of emotions swirling within him, tried to settle into his seat, though comfort eluded him. He shifted uneasily, adjusting himself
"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