Rise of Robert,the youngest student billionaire.

CHAPTER 173

A round of laughter erupted, loud and mocking, echoing around the room. Derek laughed the loudest, his voice sharp and scathing. Mr. Hartley smirked, shaking his head in disbelief, while Mrs. Hartley covered her mouth, trying to stifle her amusement, but failing miserably.

"Poverty has really done a number on you, Robert," Mr. Hartley sneered, wiping a tear from his eye as if Robert had told the funniest joke. "I didn’t think it was possible for someone to say something that stupid with a straight face."

"Yeah," Derek added, his tone dripping with mockery. "It’s like being broke has melted away what little sense you had left. Securing a deal like that? You? Lily? Please, don't make me laugh."

Lily’s heart sank. She watched as the sneers and laughter continued, cutting deeper into her already wounded spirit. Mr. Hartley’s expression turned more serious as he directed his next words at her.

"Lily," he said, shaking his head in disappointment, "I don’t know how you let yourself get so inf