Lily's heart, which had been racing moments earlier, began to steady. Robert's words infused her with a new surge of confidence. She nodded slightly, taking a deep breath.The flicker of hope from earlier had grown into a flame, burning bright within her. She was ready. The truth was about to be revealed, and everyone would see who she truly was.On stage, the man continued with a smile. “I would like to welcome to the stage the person who negotiated this remarkable deal, whose skill and perseverance have brought about this partnership.”Derek’s parents turned to him, pride practically radiating from their faces."That's our boy!" his father whispered with excitement, nudging him. “You did it, Derek.”His mother beamed, “We always knew you had it in you.”Lily, too, was on edge, her breath held in anticipation. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for.The man on stage paused for dramatic effect, letting the tension build. Then, with a smile, he said, “Please help me welcome M
Lily's heart, which had been racing moments earlier, began to steady. Robert's words infused her with a new surge of confidence. She nodded slightly, taking a deep breath.The flicker of hope from earlier had grown into a flame, burning bright within her. She was ready. The truth was about to be revealed, and everyone would see who she truly was.On stage, the man continued with a smile. “I would like to welcome to the stage the person who negotiated this remarkable deal, whose skill and perseverance have brought about this partnership.”Derek’s parents turned to him, pride practically radiating from their faces."That's our boy!" his father whispered with excitement, nudging him. “You did it, Derek.”His mother beamed, “We always knew you had it in you.”Lily, too, was on edge, her breath held in anticipation. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for.The man on stage paused for dramatic effect, letting the tension build. Then, with a smile, he said, “Please help me welcome M
Lana continued, Some people will go to great lengths to hide it, but at the end of the day, the truth always wins.” Her gaze briefly lingered on Derek, who was squirming uncomfortably in his seat, and then moved to her parents, whose faces were taut with anger and disbelief.She paused for a moment, letting her words sink in, and then turned toward Robert. “I wouldn’t have been able to stand here without the help of someone who always believed in me, even when others didn’t. Robert, thank you for your unwavering support and for helping me see this through.”Robert, standing at the back of the hall, smiled warmly. His voice carried confidence and pride as he replied, “You never needed my help, Lily. You had everything it took from the start. All I did was remind you of the power you already had. I’m just glad I could witness you reclaiming what was always yours.”Lily’s heart swelled with gratitude as she locked eyes with Robert, feeling vindicated at last. She had not only won the d
Derek’s shoulders stiffened, but he didn’t respond. He couldn't. His mind was racing, searching for a way out. Ignoring his father’s commanding tone, Derek hurried toward the door, his steps quick and unsteady, as if the faster he moved, the less real the situation would become.Mr. Hartley, his patience wearing thin, clenched his fists as he watched Derek flee. “Coward,” he muttered under his breath, his disappointment deepening. Mrs. Hartley shook her head, tears of frustration welling in her eyes as the full extent of Derek's deceit settled into their hearts.As Derek slipped out of the hall, his once-confident persona was left in tatters behind him. His world had collapsed, and now, there was nowhere to run from the truth.As Lily stepped down from the stage, her gaze immediately locked onto her parents. The disappointment in their eyes was unmistakable—deep and cutting, a reflection of their shame. They had believed Derek’s lies over their own daughter, allowing his deceit to
They stuttered through their apology, struggling with the shame of how they had treated him with such contempt.Meanwhile, Robert waved his hand with a casual smile. “It’s nothing,” he said, his voice calm and dismissive. His words only fueled their irritation. In their minds, this "loser" now felt important, like he was on some higher ground. Their pride bristled at the thought, but they remained silent, hiding their disdain.Lily, however, felt nothing but gratitude. Her heart swelled as she thanked Robert again, her voice soft yet filled with genuine appreciation. He had stood by her through everything, and now, they were both vindicated. When the Hartleys finally left the premises and returned home, they expected a quiet night to absorb all that had unfolded. But to their shock and dismay, they were met with an unexpected sight as they entered the house.Derek was sitting nervously on the couch, his face pale and his hands fidgeting in his lap. Guilt washed over him like a tide
After what had happened and having get to recover the contract, Lily’s parents reluctantly agreed to the wedding not because of love but they wanted to witness the humiliation of lily and Robert.After they've repeatedly warned her not to marry Robert because they believed he doesn't have a family and they believe Jonathan is a better option. Robert and Lily spelled out a date for his wedding. For Robert, he needed Lily by himself for the next phase of life he was about to take as the President of the Glidson Empire.Madam President wanted her son's wedding to be the grandest of it all; that would be a medium to officially announce him as president of the Empire. The initial announcement wasn't out to the world yet; it was just within the company's shareholders and important position within the group.Meanwhile, Lily's father objected to the marriage at the last minute, while his family kept humilating Robert for having no family.The months leading up to the wedding were fraught wi
Robert stepped inside, unbothered by her remark. The marble floors of the grand entrance hall gleamed under the chandelier’s light, but there was nothing warm or welcoming about the space. It felt cold, just like the reception he was getting.Before he could respond, Mr. Hartley appeared from another room, his presence commanding but hostile. He stopped at the threshold, eyeing Robert with disdain. “Ah, the groom-to-be,” he said with a smirk. “Come to check if everything’s falling apart yet?”Robert met his gaze without flinching. “No. I came to see Lily and ensure everything is on track.”Mr. Hartley laughed bitterly. “On track? The only thing on track here is your impending humiliation. You really think this wedding of yours is going to be anything but a disaster? It’s laughable. You’re setting yourself up to fail, Robert.”Mrs. Hartley crossed her arms, leaning against the polished banister, her lips curling in contempt. “You might be fooling Lily with this charade, but not us. We
Mrs. Hartley, too, was taken aback, but she quickly steeled herself. “It’s all for show. Let them throw their money around. They’re overcompensating for something—mark my words.”But as the guests arrived, each one more prestigious than the next, it became evident that this was no ordinary affair. The world’s elite had gathered to celebrate the union of Robert and Lily, many of them personal acquaintances of Madam President herself. The air buzzed with excitement and whispers of admiration for the grandeur of it all. The Hartleys, standing in the midst of such opulence, began to feel out of place, but they refused to let it show.Inside, the palace had been transformed into a paradise of gold, ivory, and deep crimson. Chandeliers were draped in flowers—roses from Ecuador, peonies from Japan, and rare orchids flown in from Thailand. The tables, set with gold-plated dinnerware, sparkled under the soft candlelight. It was the epitome of luxury, every detail a reminder of the sheer weal
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