Warren Buffett was a well-known figure in Southlake, even though he didn’t live there. His reputation had preceded him. Everyone knew his face, and that certainly included Alex and Anastasia.When Warren walked toward them, he did so with an air of arrogance, his sunglasses perched coolly on his nose, and a smirk playing on his lips. His posture, the way he carried himself, said more than words ever could. Alex felt a shift in the air as soon as he laid eyes on him, and Anastasia, too, sensed it—this was no ordinary encounter. They didn’t jump to conclusions, but they needed to confirm their suspicions.“Hello, Mr. Warren.” Alex extended his hand, trying to be civil, though something in his gut told him this would not go smoothly.Warren scanned Alex from head to toe without saying a word, his gaze dismissive. He smirked again, brushing past him as if Alex was nothing more than an obstacle in his path. He reached the front desk without even a glance back.“I trust this hall is still r
At first glance, Alex didn’t look like someone who could afford such an extravagant booking. But knowing that no one in Southlake, not even Warren Buffett, had ever reserved this event hall for two years shocked the front officer to her core.She stood there, dazed, as if the world around her had suddenly shifted. It felt like a dream—a dream too good to be true. Two years? Could that really be happening right in front of her?“I’m sorry… pardon?” she asked, needing to confirm that she had indeed heard Alex correctly. Was this real, or was she just trapped in a fantasy that she needed to wake up from?This time, she focused intently, her gaze glued to Alex's lips, determined to read them as he spoke, ensuring she wasn’t just hearing things, but truly understanding what he meant.“I am booking for two years,” Alex repeated, his voice calm but firm.Her heart skipped a beat. This was beyond shocking. Was Alex serious? Did he really just say that? Two years? This couldn’t be real.She had
Warren’s mind was in turmoil. He began to sweat immediately. He couldn’t understand what had just happened. “Did they actually cancel my order and process my refund?” he asked himself again.He had always been at the top of his game, year after year, second after second. Never had there been a time when his transaction was refunded. In fact, whenever he made a transaction, the receiver always sent him a thank-you email.“How the heck did this happen?” He muttered again.His confusion was palpable on his face as he immediately turned the wheel 360 degrees and accelerated back in the direction of the event hall.In less than five minutes, he arrived at the event hall, his car tires screeching on the ground and smoke from his exhaust marking his arrival.As soon as he stepped out of the car and walked quickly to the reception, he saw Alex and Anastasia, who were just about to leave the building.Seeing them and noting that no one else was at the front desk except the receptionist, he won
Alex and Anastasia stepped into Alex’s apartment, the weight of the past few hours lingering in the air. Without a word, Alex reached for the remote on the center table and pressed the power button. The TV flickered to life, illuminating the room in a cool blue glow.The headline on the screen read, “Billionaire Warren Buffet’s Wedding Canceled.”Alex allowed himself a slight smirk as the newscaster’s voice filled the room. He’d anticipated this outcome, though seeing it broadcast on national television made the moment more real. Anastasia’s lips curled into a smile she couldn’t suppress, her eyes glistening with a mix of relief and vindication.“Proud fool,” she muttered, almost to herself.***“Earlier today, renowned billionaire Warren Buffet was seen at the exclusive Five-Star Event Hall, attempting to secure a booking. To his visible frustration, his payment could not be processed,” the newscaster reported. “Our sources confirm that Mr. Buffet, who has used a VIP Mastercard with
For years, Daniel’s life had revolved around one thing: proving his worth to his father and grandmother. Every decision, every sacrifice, was made with their family empire in mind. It was no wonder Nancy saw him as her favorite—his devotion mirrored her own.Nancy observed Daniel with a glint of something like hope in her eye. Beneath the confidence he wore so well, she could see the weight of the ideas he was carrying.“What do you have in mind?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper. Daniel inhaled deeply, steadying himself. His words, when they came, were calm but edged with a hint of ruthlessness.“This won’t be easy, Grandmother,” he said, turning to her. His gaze was unflinching. “Once we start, we can’t afford to hesitate. Are you ready for that?”Nancy’s lips curved into a slight smirk, a shadow of her younger self slipping through her polished exterior. In her prime, she’d played this game more ruthlessly than anyone. A hard-earned empire had meant desperate measures, and she
The wedding day arrived like a celebrated warrior on a decorated chariot, eagerly awaited by everyone in Southlake. Each person who couldn't be at the wedding was glued to their TVs, anxious to catch a glimpse of the mysterious young millionaire.Nancy was dressed flawlessly, every detail perfectly in place, as was Daniel. Nancy wore an elegant white gown with a hat that had a veil, delicately covering her face. She looked like a queen, her white gloves adding an air of nobility. Her dark leather heels completed her regal appearance.Daniel, in turn, wore a sharp black tuxedo with polished loafers that spoke to his family’s refined background and wealth. Outside the villa, a sleek limousine waited to take them to the venue, the chauffeur ready to drive them to the event everyone was talking about.On the other side of the city, Anastasia was also prepared to be a bride. Her custom-made wedding gown fit her like a dream, and her makeup artist had enhanced her beauty until she looked li
Nancy and Daniel arrived at the wedding venue, and her eyes widened at the sight. The crowd was enormous, the scale of the event stunning. Her shock furthered deepened as she saw Alex standing at the front, the priest beside him, waiting for the bride.Nancy’s mouth fell open as she noticed the esteemed personalities seated in the VIP section—the country’s president, his high-ranking officials, and the vice president of the Sebastian Southlake Corporation. She hadn’t expected the wedding to be this grand, attended by such prestigious guests. Quickly, she shook off her awe, dismissing it with a wave of her hand.“This is all Anastasia’s influence,” she muttered. “Working at the Sebastian Southlake Corporation surely gave her these connections.”Daniel nodded in agreement. “Exactly, Grandmother. Everything here is because of her. If she’d used that same influence to help the Empire, we wouldn’t be in this mess. That’s why she has to pay for her selfishness.”Daniel’s gaze lingered on Al
Just as the tension in the hall reached a boiling point, Nancy and Daniel stepped forward, moving deliberately to the front of the audience. A few feet away, the red-haired woman who had earlier accused Alex mirrored their movements, her fiery gown and cascading locks drawing every eye in the room.The red-haired woman, her voice sharp and unwavering, shouted again, her words slicing through the murmurs like a blade.“I have no motive to falsely accuse this man. But his cold indifference toward the child growing inside me has forced my hand! He’s a hypocrite! You, Anastasia—or whatever your name is—don’t marry him. He’ll get you pregnant and abandon you, just like he’s done to me!”Gasps rippled through the crowd, the shock reverberating like waves crashing against a rocky shore. Murmurs grew louder, the disbelief palpable. No one had seen this coming.Seizing the moment, Daniel’s voice rang out, adding fuel to the fire.“Anastasia, my cousin, is no saint either! They’re two birds of