"He started it! Two can play this game, right? If Robert'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. Robert, 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 Robert, felt a knot form in her stomach. Her fingers twitched with anxiety. She knew Robert had money and could easily afford a watch like that, but the idea of him being humiliated in front of ev
Another girl in the corner whispered, "It’s embarrassing. I thought Robert had more class than this."Nathan circled around Robert, 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, Robert. You’re nothing but a fraud, and everyone here sees it now."Robert 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, Robert. You're just a guy trying to punch above his weight, and you fell flat on your face."Anita, who had been quiet throughou
Despite her defense, Robert 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, Robert, don’t kid yourself. If it walks like a fraud, talks like a fraud, well... it’s probably a fraud."Robert’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 mi
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 Robert had just unveiled. The room buzzed with whispers as people began comparing Nathan’s painting to Robert’s gift."It’s not even close," someone muttered, loud enough for Nathan to hear. "Robert’s on a whole different level.""Yeah, Nathan’s gift
Three days later The news of the collaboration between Glidson Group of Companies and Imperial Trust Bank had circulated like wildfire, igniting tension across the business landscape. At Victor Langston's company, the atmosphere was far from celebratory. Inside the towering glass conference room, Victor had called an urgent meeting, one that promised no pleasantries. He stood at the head of the table, glaring at the team of executives and former Glidson loyalists seated around him.Victor’s face was twisted with fury. His fists clenched as he leaned forward, his voice cold and sharp. “I thought by now, we’d be drinking to the downfall of Glidson. But instead…” He paused, tossing the business article announcing Glidson’s triumph with Imperial Trust across the table. “THIS is what I have to read!”The article landed with a thud, its title glaring back at them: “Glidson Empire Secures Landmark Collaboration with Imperial Trust Bank.”Murmurs ran through the room, but no one dared to
The crowd fell silent, absorbing his words. Robert’s calm presence was unexpectedly reassuring; his refusal to be intimidated was as powerful as any victory in court. For many in the room, his unshaken resolve was proof that perhaps Victor’s reign of fear truly had ended.He had shown them that courage didn’t come from backing down or second-guessing; it came from standing firm against corruption, even when it threatened to strike back.With Lily by his side, Robert stepped out of the courthouse and into the evening air, free from the shadows of intimidation. The city was alive with whispers, but he moved forward, knowing he had won far more than just a legal battle. He had shown the world that integrity could indeed stand firm, even in the face of the most powerful adversaries.The courtroom was packed, tension thick as a fog. For months, people had speculated whether this day would ever come. Victor Langston, the untouchable business magnate who’d built an empire on ruthless tact
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
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