As Robert walked away, the adrenaline from his unexpected victory pulsed through his veins. He didn’t just win a game; he’d dismantled the player’s carefully constructed ego, piece by piece, in front of his biggest supporters. The crowd's applause echoed behind him, blending with the faint sounds of the player’s furious ranting.Robert glanced over his shoulder, seeing the player’s friends struggling to console him, clearly uncomfortable as he fumed. Every bit of confidence and swagger the player had displayed earlier seemed to drain away. He could barely look at his own friends, his head lowered in disgrace.One of the player’s closest friends, a tall guy with an arrogant smirk who’d been one of the loudest jeerers, threw his arm around the player and muttered loud enough for Robert to hear, “Come on, man. He got lucky, that's all. It’s not like he can repeat that with a real challenge.”Robert chuckled under his breath, amused by the desperate attempts to save face. He turned and w
As Robert drove away, his mind still buzzing from scout Marcus Webb's offer, his phone vibrated in his pocket, a soft chime breaking his thoughts. He glanced at the screen and saw a notification pop up—a reminder about the fundraising event at the orphanage where he had grown up. His steps slowed, and a wave of nostalgia swept over him.He stared at the notification, memories flooding back. The orphanage wasn’t just where he’d grown up; it was where he’d found his first real family, where he’d learned about loyalty and hard work, where he’d discovered basketball. One week had passed since he visited the orphanage, and tonight was the fundraiser he had eagerly anticipated and looked forward to.Robert stood in front of the mirror, his fingers brushing over the simple yet elegant outfit he had chosen for the evening. He opted for a crisp white button-down shirt, paired with a tailored navy blazer and dark grey trousers.His shoes were polished but understated, matching the effortless s
The car came to a smooth stop not far from where the group stood. The door swung open, and out stepped the driver—a strikingly handsome man, dressed in a tailored suit of charcoal gray, sharp and clean. His black leather shoes caught the light as he moved, and his deep blue tie stood out against the crisp white shirt he wore beneath his suit jacket. His presence was immaculate, a symbol of wealth and status.The driver glanced briefly at the gathering, his expression composed and unreadable, before stepping aside, as if waiting for someone even more important to emerge from the car. The man’s presence was unmistakable, commanding every eye in the vicinity as he confidently exited his car—a sleek, deep blue Aston Revano. The luxurious, high-performance vehicle gleamed under the fading sunlight, its opulent design drawing murmurs from the onlookers."Is that the new Aston Revano?" one guest whispered, eyes wide with admiration. "That’s a car you don’t see every day. Whoever owns that
Ethan joined in, adding, “It’s funny how some people just can't handle a little friendly competition. They get left behind.”Robert, maintaining his calm demeanor, replied, “Modesty isn’t about being left behind; it’s about understanding that actions speak louder than words.”With every jab Marcus and his friends threw, Robert’s calm, modest replies seemed to leave them momentarily at a loss for words. “Seems like you’re all quite good at boasting,” Robert said, “but sometimes the real measure of success is how well you treat others, not how much you brag.”Marcus tried to retort, but Robert’s words seemed to cut deeper than intended, leaving him momentarily speechless.Just as the tension in the air became unbearable and the confrontation threatened to turn into a scene, a new figure approached them. A woman in her late fifties, dressed in an elegant, navy blue dress with intricate embroidery, her silver hair pulled back in a graceful bun, walked up to the group. She exuded an air o
Meanwhile, one of Robert's friends, noticing the tension in his clenched fists and the barely contained anger in his eyes, gently placed a hand on his shoulder. “She’s not worth it, Robert,” his friend whispered. “Neither are they. Don’t let them get under your skin. They’re not worth your anger.”At that moment, Marcus, the rich guy, removed himself from Mrs. Thompson’s exaggerated embrace, wiping the sweat forming on his forehead. He shot Robert a scathing and arrogant look, his eyes glaring daggers.“You should just accept defeat, Robert,” Marcus sneered. “Even Mrs. Thompson can see that I’m superior to you in every way. You’re just a nobody trying to play with the big boys. You’ve always been a loser, and that hasn’t changed.”He stepped closer, smirking with arrogance. “Look around you. I’ve got wealth, status, and power. What do you have? A bunch of useless friends trying to pull you away from reality. Face it, Robert—you’re nothing.”Meanwhile, the twins, Nathan and Nadia, were
Before anyone else could respond, Robert quickly took the opportunity to de-escalate. “We’re just having a friendly conversation,” he said, his voice even and calm. “Nothing more.”The man’s eyes swept over the group, his gaze lingering on Marcus, who still looked like he was about to burst. After a pause, the man nodded and suggested, “Perhaps it’s time for a change of subject. Why don’t we move away from here? Come with me.” His tone wasn’t a suggestion; it was a directive, but it was delivered with such grace and authority that it left little room for argument.Marcus and the twins fell silent, fuming but unwilling to oppose the man’s suggestion. It was clear that whoever this man was, he commanded a level of respect that even Marcus couldn’t challenge at the moment.But while the group was momentarily subdued, Mrs. Thompson, still simmering from Robert’s earlier remarks, was not about to let things slide. She glared daggers at Robert, her nostrils flaring as she prepared to unleas
Amid the lively atmosphere of the hall, the room gradually fell silent as Mrs. Thompson approached the microphone, her presence commanding the attention of everyone present. The buzz of conversation died down as the guests turned their gazes toward her, eager to hear the evening’s opening address."Good evening, everyone," Mrs. Thompson began, her voice clear and welcoming. "I want to thank each and every one of you for making it to this special fundraising event for the orphanage."She continued, "It’s a joy to see so many familiar faces, and even more so to see the young men and women who were raised within the walls of this orphanage, now standing tall and proud. Your support means the world, and it’s because of people like you that we continue to make a difference."As the applause filled the room, Marcus, who had been simmering in his anger from the earlier confrontation with Robert, straightened up immediately. His mind raced, sensing an opportunity to once again assert his dom
"You really have come a long way, Marcus," one older gentleman commented, shaking his hand firmly. "Mrs. Thompson was right to single you out. You've made quite a name for yourself.""Always knew you'd go far, Marcus," another chimed in. "You've got that determination and drive.""You're really the star of the night," a woman added, her smile beaming.These words, laced with admiration, only served to inflate Marcus’s already bloated sense of self-importance. The more they praised him, the more he puffed out his chest, his posture exuding arrogance.The twins hovered around him, their exaggerated flattery almost unbearable. They laughed too loudly at his jokes, clung to every word he spoke, and constantly vied for his attention, making sure everyone noticed how close they were to him."Marcus, you’re just on another level tonight. Honestly, who could compare?" Nathan gushed, her voice almost too sweet."You're like the king of the room. Everyone's looking at you," Nada added, casting a