He had already bribed a few junior executives to downplay any of Lily’s proposals or make her appear unprofessional. Additionally, Derek had gathered enough dirt on her supposed relationship with Robert, which he intended to use against her. He had planned to imply that Robert was only interested in her because of her association with the Hartleys' wealth, a narrative he knew would cast doubt on her in the eyes of anyone listening.“All I have to do is drop a few well-placed comments during the meeting,” Derek mused. “And those snide remarks about how she’s nothing more than an adopted outsider will do the trick.” He knew that undermining her confidence would make her falter in negotiations, and he’d step in as the “hero” to salvage the situation. The executives would see him as the one capable of getting the deal back on track, and Lily would be painted as the incompetent, useless woman he had always believed her to be.But his plans didn’t stop there. If he could successfully sabot
Robert’s patience had worn dangerously thin, and his calm facade cracked under the weight of Derek’s relentless insults. His temper flared, and with a sudden motion, he stood up, his frame towering over Derek. His eyes burned with a fierce intensity, his voice low but carrying a dangerous edge.“You better watch what you say,” Robert warned sternly, his fists clenched at his sides. “I’ve tolerated your arrogance long enough. Don’t push me.”Derek’s eyes widened briefly, surprised by Robert’s sudden shift in tone. But the surprise quickly faded, and a smirk curled on his lips. He wasn’t intimidated. In fact, Robert’s outburst only fueled his desire to humiliate him further.“Oh, look at you!” Derek mocked, laughing harshly. “Finally decided to grow a spine, huh? What are you going to do, Robert? Threaten me? Please.”He stepped closer, sneering in Robert’s face. “You’re nothing but a poor, pathetic nobody clinging to Lily like a parasite. Do you really think you can intimidate me?"Rob
As soon as Derek spotted Lily, he didn’t miss a beat. "Oh look who’s here," he sneered, his eyes narrowing with disdain. “Your broke boyfriend’s already here—probably scrubbing the toilets to secure that contract for you. And I suppose you’re here to worm your way through to the director, huh? Desperate times, I guess. Honestly, I expected better, but I really shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve always expected too much from you.”Lily’s face flushed with anger, her fists clenched at her sides as she struggled to contain her rage. Derek’s words cut deep, not just because of their cruelty but because they reflected his utter lack of respect for her and Robert. Her eyes flashed with fury, and for a brief moment, she looked like she was about to tear into him. But she caught herself, biting her tongue as her mind raced.Meanwhile, Robert watched the scene unfold with growing anger. His calm demeanor was slipping, and a dangerous edge flickered in his eyes. The thought of how to handle Derek, h
Derek’s face was flushed with a mix of confusion and rage, the veins on his neck bulging as his frustration boiled over. He paced furiously, his mind racing in disbelief. “This is absolutely unacceptable!” he spat, glaring at the secretary and then back at Lily. “I got here first! I’m representing our family, not her! I deserve to be attended to first, not this... this nobody!”His voice cracked with indignation, and he jabbed a finger in Lily’s direction as if her mere presence offended him.He couldn’t wrap his mind around it—Lily, the one he had always dismissed as a burden, the adopted child he had treated as beneath him, was now walking ahead of him. It felt like an insult, a mockery of his entire existence.He sneered as the thoughts spun around in his head. “How is she getting priority? She’s worthless! I don’t get it—why would anyone treat her like she’s more important than me?!”Derek's voice had risen to a near-shout, his composure completely lost.Lily, trying to keep her o
Simon listened attentively, his smile reflecting genuine interest as Lily recounted their relationship. He could see the sincerity in her eyes and the affection she had for Robert. “That’s quite a story,” he said, his voice warm and encouraging. “It’s clear that you both care deeply for each other.”With that, Simon gestured for Lily to make herself comfortable as they continued their conversation, her nerves slowly calming under the gentle approach of Robert’s trusted friend.Simon leaned back in his chair, his warm smile never wavering. “Robert is indeed a great guy,”he said, nodding in agreement. “I’ve always enjoyed hanging out with him. It’s good to know that the two of you are getting along so well.”Lily felt a sense of relief at Simon’s words, but the lingering tension still gripped her. She shifted uneasily in her chair despite Simon’s kind demeanor. She had expected the director to be stern and difficult, yet here he was, smiling and being surprisingly friendly. Summoning h
Now, she could marry Robert, the man she truly loved, who had played such a pivotal role in helping her family land the contract. She knew that Robert believed in her, and with him by her side, she felt invincible.Meanwhile, back in the lobby, Robert sat calmly, seemingly unconcerned by the storm brewing around him. His fingers tapped away on his phone, the picture of composure.His face was neutral, as if he had no care in the world, not even acknowledging the tension building around him. His calmness stood in stark contrast to the fury simmering nearby.Derek, lurking with his entourage like a dark storm cloud ready to burst, couldn't take his eyes off Robert. His expression was a mixture of rage and disbelief. How could Robert sit there so composed, so unconcerned? Derek's men mirrored his anger, glaring daggers at Robert, their faces twisted in spite. Derek’s mind raced, consumed with jealousy and indignation. This man, this nobody in his eyes, was slowly becoming a threat, not
His outburst drew the attention of those in the lobby, but Derek didn’t care. He was too far gone, consumed by the need to tear Robert down. Meanwhile, Robert’s calm replies only fueled Derek’s fury, leaving him boiling over with frustration as he struggled to regain control.As the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, all eyes turned toward Lily. She stepped out slowly, her face streaked with tears, her eyes red and swollen. Derek immediately saw the tears and, without taking a moment to consider, assumed the worst—that things had not gone well for her inside the office.A smug, cruel smile spread across his face. He crossed his arms, his previous anger giving way to twisted satisfaction. “Well, well, well," Derek sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Look who’s come back with her tail between her legs. I knew it. You thought you could waltz in there and actually get something done? Pathetic.”He took a step closer, his grin widening as he continued to taunt her. “What h
Lily’s hands tightened around the file, but she remained calm, her gaze steady as she stared back at Derek. His words stung, but she wasn’t going to let him have the satisfaction of seeing her break.She took a deep breath and, without blinking or wavering, said quietly but firmly, "I got the contract back for the family."For a moment, Derek froze. The sneer on his face faltered as the words hung in the air between them, disbelief washing over him. His men, who had been laughing just moments ago, suddenly went silent, exchanging shocked glances. They couldn’t believe what they had just heard. Derek’s smirk disappeared completely as he stared at her, trying to process her words. His eyes darted to the file in her hands, then back to her face, searching for any sign of deception.He tried to lock eyes with her, hoping to catch a flicker of uncertainty or a lie in her gaze, but to his dismay, her expression remained unwavering. Her eyes, once filled with tears, were now sharp and full o
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