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
It was a quiet Monday afternoon, and Robert was buried deep in his work at the office, the soft hum of the air conditioner the only sound in the room. Suddenly, the sharp trill of his phone broke through the silence. Without hesitation, he picked it up on the first ring, pressing it to his ear. “Hello, Robert speaking,” he said briskly.A tremor in the voice from the other end instantly grabbed his attention. “It’s Lily,” came the shaky reply. Her voice was unsteady, filled with a raw emotion that sent a chill down Robert’s spine. He straightened up in his chair, his heart pounding. “Lily? What’s wrong?” Robert asked, his voice tight with concern as he bombarded her with questions. “Are you okay? What happened?”For a moment, all he could hear was her shaky breathing, and then Lily broke down in tears. “It’s my family, Robert… they’re threatening to disown me if I don’t marry Jonathan,” she sobbed, her voice cracking under the weight of her fear and pain.Robert’s heart sank. He sig
The family turned to Robert, their reactions ranging from disbelief to outright scorn. Lily’s father was the first to speak, his voice dripping with contempt. “You again? What the hell are you doing here, Robert?” His eyes narrowed with anger, clearly tired of seeing the man he considered to be beneath his family.Robert remained calm, standing his ground despite the hostility. “I’m here to help secure the contract with the Glidson Group of Companies,” he said, his voice steady.Lily’s father scoffed, glaring daggers at Robert. “You, this poverty-stricken guy? How in the world could you possibly make that happen? What makes you think you have anything to offer?”Before Robert could respond, Lily’s half-brother, Derek, erupted in laughter. His mockery filled the room, his voice laced with arrogance. “You? Help with a contract like that? Robert, you’re a joke! You’re out here playing knight in shining armor, but you’re nothing but a broke nobody. "He continued "Please, don’t embarrass
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