As Jacob addressed the team, everyone had a smile on their face as they heard his soft words and assuring smiles he flashed at them, unlike Jack who would always seize any opportunity to show them how much better and richer he is than everyone. Meanwhile, Robert and Ben stood in utter disbelief as they watched their friend give a heartfelt encouragement speech.As Jacob continued to speak, his words dripped with sincerity and compassion. He spoke of teamwork, of perseverance, and of believing in oneself. His eyes sparkled with passion, and his smile was infectious. The team listened with rapt attention, hanging on his every word.Robert and Ben, on the other hand, were stunned. They had never seen Jacob like this before. He was always the quiet, reserved one, but now he was shining like a star. They exchanged a glance, both of them thinking the same thing: "Where did this come from? He speaks like he was born for this."As Jacob finished his speech, the team erupted into applause. Whi
As he leaped in last, the whole crowd had a disappointed roar, especially the students from Campbell High. How could he be so absent-minded, even standing at the podium like that?Robert and Ben stood still, watching as he tried to catch up with the other swimmers. He was literally the last one in the race, playing catch-up.Jack, on the other hand, seeing Jacob being the last to leap in and also the last in the race, trying to catch up with the top athletes, had a triumphant smile on his face that said, "I told you!" He walked closer to get a clearer view of how the race was going to end. He couldn't be happier that Jacob was proving his point from just a few minutes ago.He was very pleased, while the other students from Campbell High were angry about what was happening. It was crystal clear that they weren't going to make it to the semi-finals."Unbelievable! How could he be so absent-minded?" someone in the crowd muttered frustratedly."This is a disaster!" another student exclaime
About two minutes ago, Robert had snuck into the power room, his heart racing with excitement and a hint of mischief. He had been watching the race from the sidelines, and when he saw his friend, Jacob, falling behind, he knew he had to act fast. With a quick flick of his wrist, he switched off the power, plunging the auditorium into darkness before rushing back out.The sudden blackout caused a commotion, with students gasping and whispering to each other. The judges' faces turned red with anger and disappointment, while the regulatory officials rushed to the power room to investigate what had happened, but they were too late.Robert slipped out of the power room, trying to blend in with the crowd. He made his way back to the next stand instead of where he was with Ben, as he didn't want Ben to know what really went down.Within the next few minutes, the light came back on, and whispers and gasps filled the air. Everyone fixed their eyes on the athletes. Some of them were already out
Robert watched in awe as Jacob shot off the starting block like a bullet, his strokes powerful and precise - unlike the first time where he was slow. This time was very different. He was determined to make up for lost time, and Robert knew that he had the skill and talent to do it.In the first minute of the race, Jacob was on the same frequency and speed as the other top two swimmers, while others followed suit. They kept keeping up with each other for the next minutes, but the opposing team's captain, a tall, muscular boy with a cocky grin, was not going to let Jacob get ahead without a fight. He swam with a fierce intensity, his eyes fixed on Jacob as they battled for the lead.What?! Gasps filled the auditorium as Jacob and the last best swimmer went neck-and-neck as they swam back. They couldn't hide their surprised faces on seeing that Jacob was really doing better than he had just done in the last time."Oh my god, isn't that Jacob?" one of the students exclaimed in shock. "How
As Jacob walked into the locker room, waving his school flag, the space erupted in a deafening roar of triumph. His teammates, overcome with joy and pride, swarmed around him, cheering and chanting his name. Their faces were filled with excitement, and the smell of sweat and victory hung heavy over the room as both men and women jumped around.The team's coach, a towering figure with a booming voice, grabbed a megaphone and began to lead the chant: "Jacob! Jacob! He's our man! If he can't do it, nobody can!"Initially, Jacob was shocked to see his coach now siding with him after what had happened at the beginning of the match. But he just waved it off and continued to jump around and celebrate his win.Soon the team joined in, their voices growing louder and more frenzied with each repetition of Jacob's name. They started to jump up and down, creating a sea of bobbing heads and waving arms. The sound was like rolling thunder, shaking the very foundations of the locker room.As the chan
Robert's face turned red with anger as Mr. Jones' words cut deep. He knew exactly what the coach was trying to do - shame him for being poor. The crowd around them grew larger, sensing the tension. It wasn't the first time he would throw jabs at him for being poor. He had experienced it with him before, but it seems today would be the last straw of it. In the past, he had insulted him at any little chance he got for the most slightest thing ever, so it was only fair to say that Mr. Jones doesn't like him."So, that's what this is about?" Robert spat, his voice low and even. "You think you can just mock me for not having enough money to buy a new sports car? That's rich coming from you, Mr. Jones, with your fancy car and your country club membership."His words were laced with sarcasm and it cut deep into his teacher's skin. He felt like he had been punched in the gut. He actually thought it was just him who knew a few things about Robert, but he also didn't have a car nor wore fancy cl
Inside the locker room, all the students who were going to be racing in the next twenty minutes were getting dressed. Some were outside warming up their rides and making sure everything was in order. The air was filled with anticipation. They had been revving their engines for this moment for weeks, and finally, the day of the big race had arrived. The room was a flurry of activity as everyone quickly got into their respective racing gear.Robert wore sleek, fire-resistant jumpsuits in their team colors, adorned with sponsors' logos and his name emblazoned on the back. He paired these with sturdy, protective helmets, gloves, and shoes, making sure every piece of safety gear was securely in place before he went out for the race.As they dressed, the drivers chatted nervously, discussing their strategies and goals for the race. Some did last-minute checks of their gear, while others visualized the track and their competitors. Ben and Jacob were also in the locker room, helping Robert wit
As the drivers prepared to start the race, they all entered their cars and strapped themselves in. Each of them was tense as they waited for the green flag to drop. The coach, stood at the starting line, gun in hand, ready to begin the race.But just as the drivers were about to put their cars in gear, the coach suddenly raised his hand, stopping Robert from proceeding."Hold up, Robert!" the coach shouted above the din of the revving engines. "Who asked you to join the race?" Robert's heart sank as he wondered what was wrong. He looked at Ben, who shrugged and mouthed "don't worry."The coach walked over to Robert's car, his eyes scanning the sleek Nissan. "What's going on, coach?" Robert asked, feeling a sense of unease. The last conversation they had was that if he got a car, he would join in the race, so what was he trying to say now?"Is this your car, Robert?" he asked, his eyes fixed on him."Yes, sir. It's mine!" came the confident reply.Mr. Jones scrutinized the car again, a
The company, once vulnerable in the wake of Madam President’s death, was now regaining its footing under Robert’s guidance. But his journey had only just begun, and he knew that he needed to be vigilant, for there were still enemies lurking in the shadows.His mother’s funeral, though somber, had not only been a farewell but also a declaration to the world that Robert was no longer the boy who lived in his mother’s shadow. He was stepping into his role with a newfound sense of purpose, and he would not be undermined.In the weeks that followed, Robert spent long hours at the company’s headquarters, pouring over documents and familiarizing himself with every intricate detail of the empire his mother had built. His butler, an older gentleman named Alfred who had served the family for decades, became an indispensable ally. Alfred had known Robert since he was a child, and he had seen the boy transform into the man standing before him.One evening, Alfred found Robert still working in hi
Madam President, as she was fondly known to the world, was a woman of unparalleled influence and charisma. Her life was a tapestry of triumphs, woven from years of building her empire and leading her company with a firm but compassionate hand. She had overseen countless business successes and was a beloved public figure, admired for her resilience and business acumen.But even the strongest of leaders are not invincible. Behind closed doors, the indomitable Madam President had been battling a relentless illness. The diagnosis had come suddenly and without warning, sending shockwaves through the lives of everyone who knew her, especially her only son, Robert. Despite her physical decline, she never let her illness dim her spirit or her drive to oversee her company’s affairs. Robert often marveled at his mother’s sheer determination, even when she was confined to her bed, issuing orders and signing documents with the same unwavering authority.The family spared no expense in providin
The air in the room seemed to grow heavier as the final figure was announced. Lila’s heart pounded in her chest, her mind reeling at the sheer audacity of it all. How could this be happening? Robert was supposed to be the pauper here, the one barely scraping by, not the one making extravagant purchases without a second thought.Meanwhile, Anita’s smile grew even wider, a mix of disbelief and glee painted across her face. To her, it felt as though she had won the jackpot, her wildest dreams unfolding right before her eyes.Robert, however, merely smiled sheepishly, his calm demeanor unshaken by the staggering total. He turned to Anita and said, "I hope you’re satisfied with your picks. Let’s get these wrapped up."At the same time, When the assistant called out the total—$350,000—the shock on Lila and her companion’s faces was almost palpable. Lila’s eyes widened in disbelief, her carefully calculated confidence beginning to unravel as she processed the staggering figure. The man besi
Lila and her companion stood frozen, their eyes locked on Robert. The confidence with which he moved, the calm in his demeanor, and the absolute lack of fear in his voice were all completely at odds with the image of him they had clung to for so long. Every word he spoke, every action he took seemed to defy the expectations they had so carefully built around him.Lila's breath hitched as she watched Anita wheel the overflowing cart towards the register. Her gaze darted to the items, her mind racing as she tried to calculate the worth of everything piled inside. Her heart sank as the numbers began to add up—thousands upon thousands of dollars. The realization was like a punch to the gut. Could this really be happening? Could Robert, the man she had always considered beneath her, actually afford this?For years, Lila had carried a deep-seated belief that Robert was a nobody, someone to be mocked and dismissed. But that belief was now crumbling under the weight of what she was witnessin
Robert let out a calm smile, his eyes narrowing slightly as a cold expression settled on his face. "You're right, why won't I?" he responded, his tone icy and composed.Lila's scorn was unmistakable. She threw her head back and let out a sarcastic laugh, her eyes gleaming with mockery. "Really? Robert afford a bag this much?" she sneered, her gaze landing on the $89,000 price tag of the bag Anita had been eyeing earlier. "You? A pauper like you? Trying to level up so bad—it’s laughable!"She continued, "You’re in way over your head, Robert. You’re just digging your own grave, pretending to be something you're not. This is going to put you in serious trouble one day, mark my words."Her words dripped with disdain, but beneath her confident exterior, a seed of unease began to sprout. She couldn’t shake the memories of her past encounters with Robert. She recalled their run-in at the Luxor Hotel—how she had expected him to be exposed as a fraud or a thief, yet, to her bewilderment, he ha
The words hit Lila like a slap to the face. Her eyes widened in shock, then narrowed in fury, her face flushing with a mix of anger and embarrassment. For a moment, she was rendered speechless, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to find a retort. But soon, the anger boiled over, and she exploded into a furious rant."You—how dare you!" she sputtered, her voice rising in pitch. "You think you can talk to me like that? Do you know who I am? I’ve got more class in my little finger than you’ll ever have! Those bags—those bags are worth more than anything you’ll ever touch! You’re nothing but a lowlife, a pathetic little con man who can’t afford even a scrap of what I have!"Lila’s face contorted with rage, her voice dripping with venom as she continued to rant, her words becoming more disjointed and desperate as she tried to regain some semblance of control over the situation. "You’re the joke here, Robert! A joke! And as for you," she spat, turning her glare towards Anita, "
The tension in the air was electric, thick and oppressive like a storm cloud ready to burst. The other guests, who had been observing the escalating situation with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, began to murmur amongst themselves, their voices tinged with both anticipation and judgment."Serves him right," one diner whispered, barely hiding a smirk. "He must be out of his mind to go up against someone like Mr. Smith.""Foolish, really," another chimed in, shaking their head. "He’s asking for it. The manager’s going to toss him out on his ear, just wait and see."The whispers grew louder, with some even casting pitying glances at Robert, while others openly mocked him. "He has no idea who he’s dealing with," one person commented with a sneer. "Smith’s a regular here, practically untouchable. That guy is done for."Anita, sitting beside Robert, could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She was visibly fidgeting, her fingers nervously tapping on the edge of the table. The thought o
Robert remained unnervingly calm as Mr. Smith's voice escalated, his threats echoing through the luxurious hall of the VIP section. His demeanor was as steady as a still lake before a storm, showing no hint of the tension burning beneath the surface. The more Mr. Smith ranted, the less Robert seemed to react, his composed expression only further fueling Mr. Smith’s fury.Mr. Smith sneered, his voice thick with venom. "You act like you’re above it all, like you own this place, you think everyone else is just as deceitful as you?"The other customers, were now turning their heads, their curiosity piqued by the growing commotion. Some whispered among themselves, while others watched intently, their food momentarily forgotten.Robert, sensing the perfect opportunity to twist the knife, leaned back in his chair, his expression calm. "Well, Smith," he said with a casual shrug, "if you must know, I own this place."Mr. Smith froze mid-rant, his eyes narrowing as he processed what Robert had
As Robert and Anita left the lively birthday party, the evening air was cool, and the city lights glittered around them. Anita’s stomach growled audibly, and she burst into laughter.“Okay, that’s embarrassing,” she said, rubbing her belly. “But seriously, I’m starving. We’ve been surviving on potato chips, cupcakes, and candy all night. I need some real food—something warm and hearty.”Robert chuckled, nodding in agreement. “I hear you. I can’t believe they called that a party spread. You know what? Let’s go somewhere special. I know a place.”Anita’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Special, huh? Fancy or casual?”“Oh, very fancy,” Robert said, a mischievous smile playing at his lips. “Trust me, you’ll love it.”Curiosity piqued, Anita grinned. “Alright, lead the way. Just don’t make me wait too long; I’m already dreaming about a perfect, gourmet meal.”They drove through the city, the anticipation growing as Robert pulled up to an elegant, upscale restaurant. The establishment exuded s