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
His tone was laced with a mock sympathy as he spoke. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to underestimate you, but we all know that you can't possibly afford something as expensive as that clothing."Robert smiled. "How much is it again, Jack? Don't worry about me, worry about yourself.""I'm not worried about myself, Robert," Jack said condescendingly. "I can afford it, unlike some people who have to settle for hand-me-downs.""Hey, watch it," Robert said, his eyes flashing with anger. "At least I don't have to rely on my parents' money to buy my clothes, so just shut the fuck up and do your captain duties elsewhere!""Oh, so now you're an expert on my financial situation?" Jack sneered. "I doubt you even know how much that clothing costs. If you did, you wouldn't dare ask the price on behalf of your friend.""Actually, I do," Robert said, a sly smile spreading across his face. "It's $3,800, isn't it? I heard someone yelling outside, asking people to come buy. And you're complaining about me not
Apparently, the first competition was the intra-team competition at the school, not the main national team event. In Team One, Jack was leading his pack, and next was Jacob, who stepped up to lead his own pack since the swimmer who was supposed to be leading had sustained an injury.Once the gun fired and they jumped into the pool, the race began.As the gun fired, Jack and Jacob dove into the pool with the other swimmers. Their bodies sliced through the water with ease. Jack, being the confident and experienced swimmer that he was, took the lead immediately. His stroke was strong and powerful, his arms cutting through the water with a smooth, effortless motion, which made the students yell in excitement."Oh my god! Jack is a genius! Just look at the way he swims so well, like he's an aquatic animal," one student said."Wow, Jack is a total natural! He's like a fish in the water. I mean, look at Jacob over there, he's struggling to keep up!""Jack's technique is flawless! He's got the
The whole crowd went silent. What could be heard were just muffled whispers and silent hums. Robert's eyes widened at the allegations, and when he turned, he saw Jack walking towards Jacob."Do you really think you can cheat your way to being the winner?" he snarled. "Well, not in Campbell campus!""That is not cheating. Didn't they remove such a rule last time?" Jacob defended, hoping he was right this one time.Jack's face was red with anger and disbelief as he stormed towards Jacob, his eyes blazing with accusation. "You think you can cheat your way to winning? That's not fair! You used a different technique in the middle of the race, and that's a foul. The rule wasn't ruled out!"Jacob's eyes widened in shock and confusion, his face pale as he took a step back, his hands up in a defensive gesture. "What are you talking about, Jack? I didn't cheat!"The crowd was silent, their eyes fixed on the unfolding drama, their whispers and hums quieting as they waited for the judges' respons
"Oh my god!" Ben screamed happily. "Jacob just qualified for the national team! I am so happy for him!"Robert smiled, his eyes on Jacob as he stood in front of the judges to receive his medal for the school. "Go boy! You deserve every inch of your success!""Fuck the haters!" Ben shouted, loud enough for Jacob to hear. He just couldn't help but burst out laughing.The scene was one of pure joy and celebration. Ben's excitement was infectious, and his loud whoop of congratulations and a subtle remark towards Jack echoed through the hall. Jacob, visibly thrilled and a little embarrassed by the attention, grinned from ear to ear as he accepted his medal. The crowd around them erupted in cheers and applause, with many people laughing and clapping along with Ben's enthusiastic outburst."Go, Jacob, go!" Ben yelled, pumping his fist in the air. "You deserve every bit of this success! Screw the haters, we used the backstroke so they could use the back door!" Ben's colorful language and irrev
Jack's mouth dropped open in utter shock, his eyes wide with disbelief. He felt like he had been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him.He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The vice chancellor, the man who was supposed to be impartial, was actually suggesting that he, Jack, the best swimmer on the team and the captain, should step down and hand over the captaincy to Jacob, a beginner who had just gotten lucky? Jacob hadn't been training for long since they had imposed a f*e on using the pool, and now they had put him on the national team, and they wanted to make him the captain."No way," Jack muttered, his voice shaking with disbelief. "This can't be happening. Sir Jacob can't be the captain. He doesn't have enough experience."But the vice chancellor just smiled and nodded, his expression unyielding. "Yes, Jack. I think it's time for a change. Jacob has shown great potential and leadership skills. He deserves a chance to lead the team. Who knows? Maybe we would bring
As Jacob addressed the team, everyone had a smile on their face as they heard his soft words and assuring smiles he flashed at them, unlike Jack who would always seize any opportunity to show them how much better and richer he is than everyone. Meanwhile, Robert and Ben stood in utter disbelief as they watched their friend give a heartfelt encouragement speech.As Jacob continued to speak, his words dripped with sincerity and compassion. He spoke of teamwork, of perseverance, and of believing in oneself. His eyes sparkled with passion, and his smile was infectious. The team listened with rapt attention, hanging on his every word.Robert and Ben, on the other hand, were stunned. They had never seen Jacob like this before. He was always the quiet, reserved one, but now he was shining like a star. They exchanged a glance, both of them thinking the same thing: "Where did this come from? He speaks like he was born for this."As Jacob finished his speech, the team erupted into applause. Whi
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