A wave of shock swept through the boardroom like a storm. Gasps of disbelief filled the air as every eye turned to Robert, who sat calmly, now the center of attention. When Madam President uttered the name, "Mr. Robert Edward," the entire room froze, as if time itself had stopped. The directors and stakeholders exchanged stunned glances, their previous confidence crumbling in an instant. The weight of the revelation hit them like a sledgehammer, leaving them reeling.The announcement landed like a bomb, detonating in the minds of every director, stakeholder, and manager seated around the grand table.Mr. Justin, who had been glaring triumphantly at Robert moments earlier, blinked in disbelief. His smug grin faltered, replaced by a mixture of confusion and shock. He turned his head sharply toward Madam President, as if hoping he’d misheard. His lips parted, but no words came out he was utterly blindsided.Another director, an elderly man who had long believed himself to be the heir a
As the reality of Oliver's decision sank in, a chorus of murmurs filled the room."Is this really happening?" one manager whispered to a colleague, his voice trembling with shock. "I never thought I’d see this day…""Poor Justin," another director muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "I almost feel sorry for him… almost."“Karma, plain and simple,” someone else remarked coldly, leaning back in their chair. “He had it coming, the way he treated everyone.”"This is surreal," a younger manager said, her eyes wide with disbelief. "One moment he’s on top, the next he’s being thrown out."“Talk about a fall from grace,” another chimed in, a hint of satisfaction in his tone. “He finally met his match.”"Who would’ve thought? Justin, begging for mercy," someone muttered from the back, unable to hide the irony in their voice. “Serves him right,” another said quietly. “You can’t treat people like that and expect to get away with it forever.”Mr. Justin, brimming with anger, stood up abr
Two days later, on a Saturday morning, Robert stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his shirt. He had decided on a simple, understated outfit: a crisp white button-up shirt, tucked neatly into a pair of slim, dark blue chinos. He opted for brown loafers, polished to a subtle shine, and a black leather belt to pull the look together. No flashy watches or accessories, just the kind of simplicity that spoke of confidence and respect. He figured it was best to keep things modest for this nerve-wracking occasion.He sighed deeply, glancing at himself one final time in the mirror as he wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead. His nerves were getting the better of him, and the thought of meeting Lily's strict parents only made it worse. Lily had already called him more than five times that morning, asking if he was ready, each call making him even more on edge. She was clearly nervous, and her constant questioning was transferring some of that anxiety onto him. Meeting parents for a
Mrs. Hartley, who had been watching Robert intently, finally broke the silence, her voice measured and sharp. “So, Robert,” she began, folding her hands on her lap, “how did you meet our daughter, Lily?Robert cleared his throat, feeling the weight of the question. “We met at a coffee shop some months back,” he began, glancing at Lily for reassurance. “It was a bit unexpected, but we hit it off. We spent time getting to know each other and eventually realized we had a strong connection.” He smiled gently at Lily, but Mrs. Hartley’s expression remained neutral.Mr. Hartley leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “And what do you do for a living, Robert? How exactly do you plan on providing for our daughter?” His tone was slightly condescending, as if doubting Robert’s ability to measure up.Robert felt a bead of sweat form at the back of his neck, but he remained calm. “I’m involved in business,” he answered carefully, not wanting to reveal too much just yet. I’ve worked my way up, and I
Lily, noticing Robert’s discomfort, squeezed his hand reassuringly, but Robert’s frustration was mounting. His heart raced, and though he tried to keep his expression neutral, his eyes betrayed his growing irritation. Jonathan’s smug grin only intensified Robert’s frustration, and his fists involuntarily tightened.Jonathan, sensing the shift, continued with his mockery. “I must say, it’s quite... surprising to see you here. I never would have imagined someone like you... well, you know, sitting at this table.”He chuckled softly, glancing at Robert’s simple attire, as if to underscore the difference between them.Robert’s face hardened, and he felt a surge of anger bubbling inside. He bit the inside of his cheek, desperately trying to keep his composure. His mind raced as he considered responding, but he knew that engaging in a verbal sparring match with Jonathan now would only play into his hands.Sweat continued to bead on his forehead, and Robert took a deep breath, trying to ste
With his jaw clenched, Robert finally responded. “Jonathan, I’m not sure why you feel the need to drag this out, but you’re wrong. My accomplishments are my own, and I don’t need to prove myself to anyone—especially not to someone who doesn’t know the first thing about me.”His voice was steady, though the tension was palpable.As the tension in the room thickened, Lily’s mother, Grace, suddenly excused herself.“I’ll be right back,” she said sweetly, but there was something deliberate in the way she left. It felt more like she was abandoning Robert to the wolves, leaving him to fend for himself in an already hostile atmosphere.The moment Grace left, Jonathan seized the opportunity to escalate things. “So, Robert,” he sneered, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin. “You really think someone like you could ever be enough for Lily? Let’s be real here, you’re way out of your depth. Lily deserves someone who can actually provide for her, not a... charity case.”Lily’s eyes flashed w
Robert struggled to keep his composure, feeling the weight of the injustice suffocating him. He wanted to shout, to defend himself, but what good would it do?He knew, deep down, that nothing he said or did would change their minds. To them, he was a pauper, an obstacle standing in the way of their grand plans for Lily.Lily’s voice, however, cut through the tension. “Stop it, Jonathan,” she snapped, her voice trembling with anger. “You’re the one who’s out of line here, and I won’t stand for you disrespecting Robert for any reason.” She stood beside Robert, her loyalty clear, but her voice shook, betraying the emotion she was trying so hard to hold back.Before Jonathan could respond, Grace raised her hand, her voice firm but calm. “Lily, dear, you don’t need to be agitated. Calm yourself. We’re adults, and we’ll handle this like adults.”But her words did little to soothe the rising tension, and Robert could clearly see the strain on Lily’s face, the way she was fighting to keep her
Before Robert could muster a response, Lily’s voice suddenly cut through the tension like a knife, sharp and full of fury. "Enough!" she yelled, her voice trembling with rage. Her entire body was rigid, her fists clenched, and her eyes ablaze with an intensity that shocked everyone in the room. She had had enough, and it was clear in every fiber of her being. Her breath came in shallow bursts, and her cheeks flushed as if her frustration had been building for far too long, ready to explode.Her gaze shot between her parents and Jonathan, her anger almost palpable. "I’m done with this rubbish!" she declared, her voice rising with each word, cutting through the air like a whip."I will not marry Jonathan. That’s my decision, and nothing anyone can do will change it. I refuse to be a pawn in your greedy games!" Her words were a direct hit to her parents, her voice shaking with frustration and conviction. "This is my life, and I will live it however I damn well please!"Jonathan’s face