Just as Robert was finishing up his duties outside and was about to head into the main hall, he found his path suddenly blocked by a broad figure. Glancing up, he was startled to recognize the man standing before him. It was the same guy he’d had a heated confrontation with at the birthday party Lily had dragged him to some months ago. The man hadn’t changed; he still had that air of arrogance, and now he stood with a woman by his side, their hands tightly intertwined.The moment their eyes met, the man’s expression hardened. His initial anger flared, his blood boiling at the sight of Robert at such a prestigious event. He couldn’t believe his eyes—what could Robert possibly be doing here? His disdain only grew as he imagined Robert crashing the event or sneaking in for some free food.But then, his gaze traveled down to Robert’s clothes. The simple white shirt and slightly black trousers gave the man all the assurance he needed. A sneer crept onto his face, and his shoulders relaxed
Robert’s anger burned beneath the surface, but he fought to keep it in check. His mother was celebrating her birthday, and while his identity as her son remained a secret, he knew this wasn’t the time to engage in petty arguments. Yet, the two in front of him seemed determined to push his buttons, their words laced with the intent to provoke.“Please, if you’ll excuse me,” Robert said, his voice calm despite the irritation he felt. “I’ve had a busy day.”Richard looked him up and down, eyes narrowing at Robert’s simple clothes, which now seemed to match the attire of the guards and waitstaff. The sight only fueled Richard’s condescension. “You’re a real loser, you know that?” he sneered. “Here to serve, and you’ve got the nerve to disrespect the main guests. What a joke.”Robert remained composed, his patience hanging by a thread. “I’m not here to disrespect anyone,” he replied evenly. “But I’m not here to be disrespected either. I suggest you find someone else to bother.”Richard’s
The taunts were relentless, and Robert could feel his patience slipping. Every word from Gilbert was like a jab meant to provoke him, to drag him down to the level of petty squabbling. But Robert knew better. He knew that engaging in a war of words with them would only serve to feed their arrogance. With a deep breath, Robert decided to walk away. He turned to leave, determined to keep his dignity intact and focus on the long night ahead—a night meant to celebrate his mother’s birthday, not to entertain the likes of Gilbert.But Gilbert wasn’t ready to let him go that easily. “Run along now, little dog, back to your cage. We both know I’m better than you and always will be,” Gilbert sneered, his voice laced with venom.Robert froze as the words hit him. For a moment, his fists clenched at his sides, and he felt the urge to turn around and confront Gilbert head-on. But he knew that was exactly what Gilbert wanted was to provoke him into a reaction, to make him lose his cool in front
Richard doubled over, laughing hysterically. "CEO of valet parking, more like it!"His girlfriend joined in, her voice shrill with mockery. "Maybe he should start a business in waitressing—he's clearly got the uniform down!"The crowd's laughter grew louder, echoing around Robert like a relentless wave of scorn. "Yeah, maybe he can open a chain of luxury car washes!" one person shouted, causing another round of laughter."Or how about a catering company? He’s already got the experience!" another added.Robert stood there, the barrage of humiliating comments crashing down on him like a storm. He could feel their words biting into his pride, trying to strip him of his dignity. But despite the overwhelming urge to lash out, he clenched his fists and held his ground, determined not to let them break him. They could laugh all they wanted, but deep down, Robert knew that the truth would one day silence their mockery. For now, though, all he could do was endure.Robert’s humiliation cut dee
Robert glanced down at his clothes, acknowledging the source of the ridicule he had been enduring. Despite the biting words thrown his way, he maintained his composure. "Like I said earlier," Robert began, his voice steady, "I don't have anything to prove to you people. I like what I'm comfortable in, and ostentatious displays of wealth have never been my thing."The crowd erupted in laughter once more, their derision sharp and unrelenting."A pauper claiming not to show wealth—how ironic!" one person sneered.“Comfortable? In those rags? Give me a break!” another jeered.“He’s just trying to save face because he knows he can’t afford anything better!” someone else added, the crowd nodding in agreement.Just as the mocking and laughter reached a crescendo, a voice suddenly cut through the ruckus, commanding attention. The crowd quieted down as everyone turned to see who had dared to interrupt their fun. A woman, calm and composed, stepped forward, her presence immediately drawing curi
The atmosphere in the hall, once thick with tension, began to ease as a new figure passed through the crowd. The murmurs of the gathering gave way to a hushed reverence as people strained to catch a glimpse of the person now commanding all attention. This was no ordinary figure—it was Madam President, the influential and enigmatic force behind a vast empire that few truly understood. Her presence alone was enough to silence even the most boisterous of the crowd.Madam President was known for her uncanny ability to grow businesses into unparalleled successes, turning even the most unassuming ventures into industry leaders. Over the years, she had built an empire spanning multiple sectors, from logistics to luxury goods, with a strategic mind that outmaneuvered her competitors at every turn. Her methods were as mysterious as they were effective, earning her respect and fear in equal measure. She rarely appeared in public, preferring to work from the shadows, but when she did, it was al
“Johnathan Blaze? No way!” someone gasped.“Are you kidding me? This guy doesn’t just show up to any event. It takes millions to get him to perform!” another exclaimed.“This is unbelievable! This artist’s shows are sold out worldwide—he doesn’t come cheap. Madam President must have pulled some serious strings to get him here,” someone else added, clearly impressed.“It’s said that even a million dollars wouldn’t guarantee his presence at an event,” one person remarked. “But here he is, performing tonight? This is beyond extraordinary.”As the name of the artist sank in, the crowd’s energy reached a new height, and everyone was on the edge of their seats, eager to witness the performance. The excitement was palpable, and the air buzzed with anticipation.After the artist finished his electrifying performance, leaving the crowd buzzing with excitement, the Master of Ceremony took to the stage once more, his voice filled with enthusiasm."Ladies and gentlemen, let the drinks be passed ar
The comments kept coming, and the atmosphere was charged with admiration for Gilbert. He basked in the praise, feeling on top of the world as he looked down on Robert, who seemed to be the target of everyone’s disdain.As the night wore on, with drinks flowing and conversations buzzing, the Master of Ceremony finally announced the moment everyone had been waiting for."And now, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to hear from the one and only—our esteemed celebrant, the woman whose name commands respect across the globe—Madam President!"The applause was deafening as Madam President gracefully rose from her seat at the high table. The room seemed to hold its breath as she made her way to the stage, surrounded by her security detail. Every step she took exuded power and authority, and the crowd couldn’t help but admire her presence."She’s incredible," someone whispered in awe. "Everything she touches turns to gold.""Just imagine the kind of influence she has," another added. "Her connecti
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