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
"For years, I have led the Glidson Empire with pride," Madam President continued, "and today, I pass on that responsibility to someone I trust beyond measure. Someone who has proven, time and again, that he has the strength, the vision, and the dedication to take this empire into the future."A murmur spread through the crowd, anticipation growing by the second."And so," she said with a flourish, "it is my great honor to officially announce that, as of this moment, Robert is the new President of the Glidson Empire."Gasps erupted from the crowd. The room was momentarily frozen in shock. For a few seconds, no one knew how to react. Robert, standing at the front of the room, remained composed, though a flicker of satisfaction crossed his face. This was the moment he had been waiting for—his true unveiling to the world.Then, like a wave, applause surged through the ballroom. Guests rose to their feet once again, this time with a mixture of awe and admiration. Robert, the man they had
Mr Hartley glanced over at Jonathan, whose face was frozen in disbelief, his usual cocky attitude crumbling beneath the weight of the grandeur surrounding him. Meanwhile, Robert’s lips twitched into a slight, almost imperceptible smile. Jonathan had always looked down on him, thinking he was better, richer, more successful, more deserving of Lily. Now, Jonathan was just another guest, watching from the sidelines, knowing full well that he could never compete with the spectacle Robert had created.As the ceremony went on, Robert kept his composure, but every now and then, he would lock eyes with Lily’s parents. Their regret was written all over their faces, but Robert remained gracious. He had nothing to prove to them anymore. Their earlier insults, their dismissal of him as a nobody—it was all irrelevant now.Robert’s thoughts were calm, but focused. This is just the beginning, he thought as he gently squeezed Lily’s hand. He knew there was more to come—more success, more surprises
Now, they had to face the reality that they had not only lost control of their daughter but also their place in the future that was unfolding before them."That should’ve been Jonathan," Mrs. Hartley whispered bitterly, glancing toward their former suitor, who looked equally devastated by the night's turn of events.Robert, catching the whisper on his way out, gave a brief, almost imperceptible smirk before turning back to Lily. In that moment, as the final guests departed, he whispered to her, “I told you, they’d regret it.”As the wedding ceremony concluded and it was time for the grand photographs, the elites and dignitaries in attendance lined up to capture the moment. The air was thick with prestige, and photographers scrambled to get the perfect shots of the powerful figures who had gathered. The lights of high-end cameras flashed incessantly, creating a sea of glitter and glamor.Robert and Lily, standing at the center of it all, exuded a magnetic elegance. The world's most ex
As the guests settled into their seats, enjoying the opulence around them, Mr. and Mrs. Hartley, driven by desperation and pride, approached the entrance with the assumption that their position as Lily’s parents would automatically grant them access. Mr. Hartley, in particular, saw this as an opportunity to network with high-profile guests and elevate his own status.But as they neared the grand doors of the dining hall, the couple was stopped by two security guards. Mr. Hartley frowned, incredulous, as he was blocked from entering.“What’s going on?” he demanded, trying to push past the guards. “I’m the bride’s father. Step aside.”The lead guard, his face a mask of professionalism, shook his head. “I’m sorry, sir, but you’re not on the guest list for this dinner.”Mrs. Hartley, her face reddening with embarrassment and disbelief, clutched her husband’s arm. “What do you mean we’re not on the list? This is our daughter’s wedding!”The guards didn’t flinch, their instructions clear.
Their wedding had been the talk of the town, not only for its elegance but for Robert’s official introduction as the future president of the Glidson Empire—a revelation that hit the Hartleys like a sledgehammer.Mrs. Hartley, noticing her husband's change in demeanor, frowned. "What is it?" she asked, but she already knew something was wrong.Without speaking, he handed her the paper. As her eyes skimmed the headline, her face went pale. "The president of the Glidson Empire?" she muttered, barely believing what she was reading. “We’ve been dealing with the president of the Glidson Empire all this time?” Her voice cracked, disbelief mingling with humiliation.And then the realization hit them both: they had not only disapproved of their daughter’s marriage but had done so while trying to belittle a man with influence far beyond their comprehension. The very empire they had hoped to curry favor with was now in the hands of the man they had rejected, scorned, and humiliated.Mrs. Hartl
The next morning, despite the lingering exhaustion from the previous day's stress, Robert woke up with a renewed sense of determination. He had spent much of the previous night tossing and turning, trying to make sense of the unease gnawing at him. Still, he knew he couldn’t afford to dwell on it any longer—there was work to be done, and the company needed his undivided attention. His mind was set on having a productive day at the office, no matter what challenges might come his way.After taking a quick shower and dressing in his usual sharp suit, Robert glanced at the clock. He was running a little behind schedule but still had plenty of time to catch up. As he walked out of his apartment, the city was already bustling with the sound of traffic and distant conversations. The cool morning air was refreshing, and for a moment, he allowed himself to appreciate the calm before the inevitable storm of a busy workday.He arrived at the company headquarters a little before 9:00 AM, his
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