The corners of Robert's lips crinkled with a radiant smile as he ended the call. He couldn't be happier since he had been calling her for the last few hours and she wouldn't pick up. The next thing, a message chimed into his phone and he knew at once that it was her residential address. He took it, and his assumptions were right.He quickly walked into the bathroom and took a quick bath before coming back out to get dressed in casual Gucci shorts and a shirt. He quickly brushed his hair, took his car keys, and made his way outside. When he met Simon, he informed him he was going out and asked him for directions to the residence, since Simon was more familiar with the area than him.He quickly entered the Audi Q8 and revved the engine to life. Once the gatekeepers opened the gate, he drove his car outside and hit the streets to Lily's house. As he drove, he wound down his window while the cool breeze blessed his skin. When he pulled up into Lily's street, his eyes widened with anticipa
Lily's lips twitched into a deep smile that started to turn into a blush."Thank you. You can make yourself comfortable on the couch. I will be right back," she said before leaving.Robert sat there, his eyes wandering around the living room while waiting for her to arrive.After a few minutes, she came back to the living room with a bottle of wine and two glasses. She placed it on the table, popped the wine open, and filled the two glasses, serving one to Robert. He collected it nervously, making sure to avoid eye contact with her. They both continued to drink in silence, stealing glances at each other.Robert held his wine glass and pretended to be taking a sip as he scrutinized her, thinking to himself, "This is so awkward. I hope I don't say something stupid." He finally sipped his wine, muttering, "Okay, relax, Robert. You got this. Just be yourself." This time, he glanced at her as if noticing her beauty for the first time.Meanwhile, Lily scrolled through her phone, using her p
CHAPTER 95.Lily led Robert into her room, a sanctuary filled with her artistic creations. The walls were adorned with portraits, each one a masterpiece that told a story. Robert's eyes widened as he gazed upon the vibrant colors and emotions that seemed to leap from the canvases that were sitting pretty on her walls.Lily smiled, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Let me show you my favorites," she said, guiding him to a stunning portrait of a woman with piercing green eyes and raven-black hair. "This is 'Midnight Bloom.' I painted it during a phase where I was experimenting with bold colors and textures. It might not be professional, but I'm so in love with it."Robert's gaze was captivated by the subject's beautiful smile. "She's beautiful," he breathed. "The way her eyes seem to gleam in the dark... it's as if she's sharing a secret. That is a beautiful portrait right there, you did a good job Lily."Lily's fingers brushed against his as she gestured to the next portrait. "And this on
The following morning, Robert woke up by 7:20 am. He woke up early today because it was the annual sports competition at his school, and as a sports enthusiast, he didn't want to miss any part of it. The school only had this sports competition every year, and this year would actually be his last year in school, so he didn't want to miss out since he now had the opportunity to join in any of the sports he wanted, unlike before when he had avoided it like a plague, trying to cut down on expenses.The sports competition consisted of a variety of events, ranging from swimming to car racing to actual human races.He walked out of bed, quickly had his bath, and wore his customized jersey with his name scribbled on the back. He wanted to leave when he began to look for his phone, but he quickly remembered that he must have forgotten it in the car last night when he was too upset about what Lily had done - how she had pushed him out of her house. The worst part was that it didn't rain either,
They both exited the car, and a wave of confusion and shock washed over the students who saw Miss Lily step out from Robert's car. The whole place fell into a deep silence as every eye fixed on them. Their eyes widened in shock as they took in the sight of Miss Lily and Robert together. They had all heard the rumors about their alleged affair, but to see them stepping out of the same car was a different story altogether. Not after what had just happened yesterday!One of the students, a tall and lanky boy, was the first to break the silence. "Whoa, is this real life?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief. "I mean, their pictures were littered all over the internet just yesterday, and I heard that Miss Lily was also fired, but today they're coming in the same vehicle? They just confirmed our assumptions that they're dating."Another student, a girl with a mop of curly hair, chimed in. "I thought they fired her? What's going on? She's not supposed to be back in school today.""Or may
Olivia felt like she was punched in the gut, but she just gulped and forced a smile. "Oh, yes, Miss Lily. I would be participating," she said, stammering. "Welcome back, Miss Lily," she said as she walked away, leaving the two of them standing there alone. As she moved away from where they could see her, she heaved a deep sigh of relief and clutched her chest tightly. But why was she still jealous when she was the one who broke up with him first?Apparently, she couldn't believe that even after the rumours that they were dating, Miss Lily still came back to the school, and this time they even dared to hug and touch each other inside the school premises. She clenched her fists tightly by the side of her clothes, standing in the middle of nowhere.The whole atmosphere turned dense once she left. Lily turned to Robert and asked, "What did you do that?"He pretended not to know. "Do what exactly?"Lily creased her brows in disbelief. "I mean what you just did, you just hugged me now.""Bu
Jacob froze in shock as he turned to look at the boy who had just spoken to him. "What do you mean I was kicked off the team, Jack?"Jack burst out laughing. "I mean you were kicked off the team at the last minute, Jacob. Don't you get it already?""What do you mean by 'last minute'? I did the final rehearsals just last night, so what do you mean by 'last minute'?" He frowned. "Where is Mr. Leo?""What do you need Mr. Leo for when I just told you that you're kicked off the team at the last minute? I'm the captain, and anything I say stands!" he reminded him.Jacob let out a deep sigh as a wave of confusion washed over him. Just last night, he had done the final rehearsals with the team, and everything had gone well. He had been picked to represent their school and their team in a friendly match, but now Jack was saying he had been kicked off at the last minute. Which "last minute" was he talking about? They had all left the pool at the same time, so when had the decision been made?He
Outside the locker room, Robert and Ben were holding a good luck armband that they had bought a few minutes earlier. Apparently, different vendors sell different items and brand them in various ways. One of the vendors had approached Robert and convinced him to buy the good luck armband so he could wish Jacob good luck, and Robert ended up buying two since Ben wouldn't be participating in any of the games.They manoeuvred through the crowd to go and give Jacob the armband, only to witness the ongoing confrontation between Jacob and his coach, Mr. Leo."Since you can't afford any of that, what was the point of you being on the team?" Mr. Leo hissed and muttered under his breath, "Such a waste of time!"Jacob felt his heart drop as the coach sided with Jack. He couldn't believe what was happening. He tried to convince the coach, but Mr. Leo was being condescending and dismissive, not even looking at him but fixing his eyes on his phone."Sir, please listen to me," Jacob pleaded. "I've be
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