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
Mrs. Turner shook her head, her eyes reflecting the worry she felt. "No, sir. There’s been nothing. It’s as if they’ve all suddenly turned their backs on us without explanation. We’ve been trying to pinpoint the source of the problem, but so far... nothing."Robert leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He rubbed his temples, trying to piece together what could have gone wrong. But every angle he considered led to a dead end. There had been no indications, no warnings, no signs of dissatisfaction from their clients. Everything had seemed perfectly fine until now.Taking a deep breath, Robert finally spoke, his voice quieter than before. "We need to get to the bottom of this, Mrs. Turner. Call a meeting with the department heads. I want all the data we have on these clients, every communication, every transaction, everything. We need to figure out what went wrong and how we can fix it... before it's too late."Just when Robert thought the
Ms. Turner, her face pale, stepped forward, trembling slightly. "Sir, Luminary Industries—using Mr. Smith’s inside knowledge—has been spreading rumors about our company’s supposed instability. They've exploited confidential information on our pricing strategies, client pain points, and even upcoming product launches." She paused, her voice tightening. "They’ve undercut us on several key contracts, making us look unreliable and overpriced. And with our top sales leaders jumping ship, it’s only reinforced those rumors."Robert felt like the room was spinning, his vision narrowing as the weight of the news bore down on him. He gripped the desk in front of him, struggling to contain his fury. "He’s using everything he knows about us to tear us apart from the inside," he growled, his fists clenching. "Smith is systematically dismantling everything we’ve built."The managers shifted uncomfortably in their seats, exchanging anxious glances. They could see their leader struggling with the
“Indeed, Mr. Langston,” Mr. Smith replied, his tone equally triumphant, though colder, more precise. “Their sales team is in shambles, and their clients are already questioning their stability. Panic is spreading like wildfire through their ranks. We’ve got them right where we want them.”Victor chuckled, a deep, throaty sound that resonated through the room as he leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking softly under his weight. He reached for the bottle of vintage red wine that sat nearby, effortlessly uncorked it, and poured the deep crimson liquid into his glass, the sound of the wine filling the glass a prelude to the toast he was about to make.“To the beginning of the end for Glidson Group,” he declared, raising his glass high, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous mix of ambition and malice. “This is only the first strike. By the time we’re done with them, gentlemen, there won’t be anything left of them but memories.”The others in the room joined in the toast, their glasses
Smith hesitated, his hand lingering on the door handle for a split second before he nodded and turned back toward Victor, a curious expression on his face. He had a feeling this was more than just a casual request. This was an opportunity to further ingratiate himself with the powerful CEO.Smith returned to his seat, his eyes searching Victor’s face for any hint of what might be coming next. Victor, ever the master of control, waited until the door had closed behind the last of the managers before speaking again.“You’ve done well, Smith,” Victor began, his voice smooth but laced with a subtle undertone of patronization that Mr. Smith failed to recognize. “But I want you to understand something. This is just the beginning. I need you to intensify your efforts. Every weakness, every flaw, every misstep—exploit them. I want GlidsonGroup to crumble under the weight of their own mistakes.”Smith’s eyes lit up, gleaming with a mix of ambition and resentment. He had been harboring his gr
As Robert’s words lingered in the air, murmurs spread among the queue of onlookers. Intrigued by his claim of being an SVIP, they began making snide remarks under their breath."SVIP? Ha, in those clothes?" a man in a tailored grey suit scoffed, adjusting his expensive watch. "He looks like he can’t even afford lunch, let alone hold a VIP status.""Is he out of his mind?" a woman in a sleek red dress muttered, rolling her eyes. "This isn’t some backstreet store where you can play pretend.""Honestly, the nerve of some people," another person added, clearly irritated. "We’ve all been waiting in line, and now this guy wants special treatment?"The employee, emboldened by the growing discontent from the crowd, let out a derisive laugh. Her mocking tone cut through the noise."Sir, I suggest you leave now before we’re forced to take more serious measures against you." Her eyes gleamed with the thrill of asserting authority, and her words carried a veiled threat.As if on cue, two fierce-l
Robert replied, his voice edged with a mix of anger and frustration."This isn't about pretense or trying to impress anyone. It's about class—and class is earned based on contribution to society, something I don’t expect you to know anything about." He shot the man a sharp look, his patience wearing thin.As Robert’s words hung in the air, the crowd’s reactions immediately followed, sparking a flurry of murmurs and amused comments."Contribution to society? What’s he even talking about?""Look at him, acting like some big shot. What’s he done for anyone?""Bet his ‘contributions’ are as fake as that card!"A middle-aged man near the back chuckled sarcastically, "Oh please, this guy? Contributing? More like he’s contributing to wasting our time."Another voice piped up, "Probably donated his old clothes to a thrift store and thinks he’s saving the world."The well-dressed woman from earlier sneered, "This is just embarrassing. What kind of contribution could he possibly be talking abo
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