Maya couldn't contain her excitement, stomping her feet in delight. "Oh my goodness, you're amazing! I'm so envious of you. You've got your husband completely under your control, and you manage to date other men without him ever finding out. Why did I get caught when I tried? It even led to my divorce! It's so frustrating!"Renee chuckled and replied, "The difference between us is that your ex-husband is a taxi driver, while mine is a businessman. He's frequently away on business trips, so he's rarely in town. He doesn't have the time to catch me cheating.""By the way, why did you call me out of the blue?" Maya produced a copy of the contract and handed it to Renee.Renee was taken aback. "Wow, darling, you actually secured the deal with the Walt Disney organization on behalf of your family, and they even named the project after you! That's incredible. How did you manage it? Did you sleep with the president of Walt Disney?"Feeling somewhat speechless, Maya responded, "Seriously, do
While Jan stood in shock, a waiter emerged from Juice Cafeteria, carrying a signboard which he placed at the entrance.The crowd of onlookers quickly gathered to see what it was about."It's this week's program lineup for Juice Cafeteria!""Taylor Swift is performing tonight! Tomorrow's show features a singing performance, and the day after tomorrow, there will be a live band performance..."Jammi, visibly excited, exclaimed, "Mr. Brandon, the owner of Juice Cafeteria, is incredibly generous. He's invited the most popular singer around!"Jan, who preferred old-school R&B over mainstream pop, glanced at Jammi with a cynical expression. He remarked disdainfully, "They're just some amateur singer. There's no need to bother. I can guarantee that Juice Cafeteria will fold within a week!"******Two hours later, Tony, having just risen from bed, held a beautiful Tiffany ring box with elation. Inside was an extravagant diamond ring, a significant investment he had made.Determined to propose
The waitress ended the call and turned to Tony with a polite smile. "Sir, there seems to be a misunderstanding. Our boss has not accepted your deposit. I must kindly ask you to leave."Despite Ethan's instructions to have Tony leave immediately without any explanation, she was merely a service staff member and did not dare to be discourteous.Tony's face flushed with embarrassment. "What? That scoundrel Jan Niklas isn't trying to renege on his promise, is he?"The waitress maintained her composure and replied, "Jan Niklas is not the name of our boss."It was only then that Tony realized his mistake—Juice Cafeteria was not owned by Jan Niklas.Just then, Tony's phone rang. It was Jan. "Mr. West, I apologize for the delay. I've been quite occupied. What did you need to discuss? Rest assured, I've already arranged the venue for your proposal. Will you be arriving in the afternoon or the evening?"Tony hesitated before speaking. "Mr. Niklas, I regret to inform you that I won't be able to
As they approached room 307, a middle-aged man, appearing to be around 40 years old, walked towards them with a friendly demeanor."Good evening, Miss Walport! What a pleasant surprise!" he exclaimed, clearly recognizing Clara.Clara, equally surprised, responded, "Mr. Denise, what a coincidence! Are you here for dinner as well? I recall you usually prefer dining at Sunny Restaurant."Clara was familiar with Mr. Denise, a close friend of Jan, and someone who frequently dined at Jan's establishment.Mr. Denise chuckled and explained, "Yes, well, my son insisted on attending a Taylor Swift concert tonight, so here we are."Clara smiled, observing that many of the patrons tonight seemed to have been persuaded by their children to dine here.She reasoned that most teenagers and young adults who enjoyed Taylor Swift's music likely couldn't afford to book a private room or dinner at such an upscale restaurant. Moreover, it had become quite common for parents to indulge their children's requ
"Why is there no sound at all? I can't hear her singing!" Tony exclaimed in frustration."What's happening? Are they trying to deceive us? This is unacceptable!" another attendee questioned angrily.Despite the technical issue occurring just moments ago, many attendees were already visibly upset.Suddenly, items began to be thrown from the third, fourth, and fifth floors simultaneously.With a loud smack, a banana peel struck Tony's face, while a Pepsi can landed on Maya's thigh."Ah!" Maya cried out in panic."Who did that? Come down here!" Tony shouted furiously as he stood up.Witnessing the chaos, Clara remarked, "Well done! An adulterous pair deserves to have things thrown at them!"Ethan didn't have the luxury of time to comment or mock Maya and Tony.He turned to Clara and said, "This situation is more complex than it appears. The microphone she used is of the highest quality; it shouldn't malfunction. It's highly probable that it was swapped."Clara, visibly alarmed, asked, "A
"Excuse me?"Tony and Maya were both taken aback by the revelation.Clara and Sarah, standing behind Ethan, couldn't contain their laughter.Tony, with a mocking tone, said, "Really? You're claiming to be the owner of Juice Cafeteria? Stop the charade. I've already looked into it. This isn't the only establishment Mr. Stevie Brandon sold. All his restaurants in Los Angeles were purchased by the same individual for 10 million dollars! You're just a man without means. Can you truly afford 10 million dollars?"Maya, despite knowing Ethan's determination to outmaneuver Jan, was skeptical about him having such a substantial amount of money.Ethan, sensing the disbelief, retorted, "You don't believe me, do you?"Ethan had reached his limit with the condescending and arrogant attitudes of these wealthy scions who enjoyed belittling others. He called over the middle-aged woman who was sweeping the floor. "Ma'am, could you come here for a moment, please?"The middle-aged woman approached as in
Tony Tony had just proposed to Ethan's ex-wife, Maya Reynolds, right in front of him. Clara, witnessing Tony's blatant disrespect towards Ethan, felt a strong impulse to step forward and slap Tony, just as she had done previously. However, she restrained herself.Clara thought, "If Maya Reynolds marries Tony West soon, it might create an opportunity for me to be with Ethan."As a business elite, Clara prioritized her personal interests. The potential marriage between Tony and Maya could actually benefit her.Ethan, observing the situation, chose not to intervene.Ethan intervened in Tony's proposal by turning off the microphone and dismantling the balloon decorations, citing the disruption to the environment and the guests as his reason. With the decorations removed, the proposal no longer breached any regulations, as it was now simply one customer proposing to another.Ethan was particularly interested in seeing whether Maya would accept Tony's proposal. Having been married to Maya
Clara took a bold guess, leaning forward slightly. "Mr. Sinclair, are you hoping Maya Reynolds will marry Tony West so you can later tell them you're the president of Walt Disney Corporation and make Maya regret it when it's too late?"Ethan stopped mid-sip, his glass hovering in the air, and looked at Clara in surprise, his eyes widening.Clara had guessed Ethan's plan, and she could see the recognition in his eyes.Ethan nodded with satisfaction, a small smile playing on his lips. "Very smart of you! You truly deserve to be my vice president."Clara's face lit up with excitement. "Did I guess right?"Ethan shook his head, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Not exactly. I'm going to do it on their wedding day, not after.""I plan to reveal to Maya on her wedding day that the man she believes to be the wealthiest she could ever marry is not the true tycoon—I am.""On that day, I won't just let Maya Reynolds discover the truth. I will also announce to the entire business community in Los
Giovanni’s smile faltered instantly. "Not for my son? Mr. Garrett, aren’t you here for my son’s wedding?" Giovanni asked, his voice tinged with embarrassment. Ryan offered a polite smile. "Of course, I’m here for the wedding. I’ve prepared a monetary gift for your son and handed it over to the reception staff. If you’d like, you can verify it with them, Mr. West." Giovanni quickly waved his hands. "Oh no, Mr. Garrett, please don’t misunderstand. I would never focus on such a thing. It’s already a tremendous honor to have you here celebrating with us. The fact that you’ve brought a gift is far too generous." Giovanni, knowing Ryan’s considerable wealth, assumed the monetary gift was substantial—likely no less than $15,000. Eager to seize the moment, Giovanni called over Tony and Maya. "Tony, Maya, come here and greet Mr. Garrett!" Tony approached with a wide grin, extending both hands for a handshake. "It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Garrett. I’ve heard so much about you—you’
Tony had always been someone who valued his pride above all else. Within his social circle of wealthy heirs, he was known for his ostentatious displays of affluence and his tendency to flaunt his status at every opportunity.Today was supposed to be his crowning moment—a grand wedding to the so-called "most beautiful woman in Los Angeles," Maya. The only imperfection in his otherwise perfect narrative was the fact that Maya was a divorcee. Still, Tony had planned to overshadow that blemish by turning Ethan, her ex-husband, into a public spectacle of humiliation during the ceremony. But fate had other plans. Instead of Ethan being humiliated, Tony now found himself in the very position he had reserved for Ethan—embarrassed and stripped of his dignity. Bowing down, kneeling, and pouring a drink to Ethan as a sign of deference? The mere thought churned Tony's stomach. He simply couldn’t lower himself that way. "Is this some kind of elaborate ruse?" Tony wondered bitterly. In his mind
For the past three years, Klein had made it a habit to ridicule Ethan whenever their paths crossed. He had insulted him countless times and even gone as far as sending henchmen to rough him up over a dispute involving Alexander. Ethan's decision to attend Maya's wedding and reveal his true identity was clearly calculated—it was his moment for revenge. Knowing this, Klein, who was never particularly close to Maya, had no intention of staying behind to face Ethan's wrath. He seized the opportunity to leave immediately. After carefully placing Old Ms. Mimi in the backseat of the Audi Q7, Klein barked at the chauffeur, "Drive to the hospital! And hurry!" Before the vehicle could even start, Old Ms. Mimi let out a loud, startling wail. "Ah!" Her sudden outburst shocked Klein, sending a shiver down his spine. "Mom, are you alright?" he asked anxiously. "You scared me half to death! I thought you fainted because of that punk Ethan." Relief washed over him as he realized she w
"Hello, I’m Ethan Sinclair," he said with a composed yet commanding tone. Stepping out of the $1.8 million white Maybach, Ethan, dressed in a pristine white suit, exuded an aura of elegance and confidence. All eyes were on him, filled with admiration and awe. To the crowd, Ethan appeared every bit the noble and refined figure—a real-life fairytale prince. Giovanni, who had never met Ethan before, was quick to approach him, his excitement evident. Grasping Ethan’s hand firmly, he said, "Welcome, Mr. Sinclair. It’s an incredible honor for my son and me to have you grace this occasion!" Marissa, equally stunned, chimed in, "Mr. Sinclair, I must say, I didn’t expect you to be so young and strikingly handsome!" Ethan’s gaze shifted to Marissa, and with a polite smile, he replied, "You must be Mrs. West. The pleasure is mine. Your radiance truly lives up to your reputation." Giovanni smiled warmly and replied, "Thank you for the kind words. Yes, she’s my wife." Marissa, a woma
**At Old Ms. Reynold’s Villa** A procession of luxurious wedding cars rolled into the driveway, their sleek designs shimmering under the morning sun. Tony, momentarily distracted from the frustration of his failed investments, felt a surge of joy. Smiling, he eagerly headed out to welcome Maya. However, as he reached the first floor of the villa, he encountered Sophie before he could make his way to the bridal car. Though not a bridesmaid, Sophie had dressed to impress, wearing a stunning white gown that accentuated her elegance. Her flawless makeup and radiant smile made her almost as captivating as the bride herself. "Wow, Sophie," Tony said with a playful grin as his eyes swept over her. "You look so gorgeous today—I almost mistook you for my bride." His tone was lighthearted, but the compliment lingered in the air.Sophie casually twirled a strand of her hair with her fingers and smirked. "Please, my groom-to-be is none other than the esteemed president of Walt Disney Co
Tony should have been full of excitement, given that today marked one of the biggest days of his life. But the string of financial disasters had drained him, leaving him looking like a man burdened by decades of hardship rather than someone in his twenties.In addition to the failed investments, Tony had hemorrhaged money in other risky ventures throughout the week. Stock index futures, commodities, even high-stakes underground gambling—all had contributed to the rapid disappearance of his fortune.Beside him, a young man holding a best man’s corsage studied him with an expression of deep concern. “Tony, something isn’t adding up here. Did you cross someone powerful? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re being deliberately sabotaged. Even if you made a few bad choices, the odds of everything crashing down like this are practically zero.”Tony let out a hollow laugh and rubbed his dark-circled eyes. “You’re spot on. It’s no coincidence; someone’s playing me. This isn’t
Maya was genuinely taken aback, her expression reflecting surprise. "Miss Walport, I’m curious—why do you remember Ethan's birthday so clearly?"In her mind, Ethan was nothing more than Clara’s bodyguard, someone she didn’t expect Clara to take such a personal interest in. It seemed strange that she would remember such an insignificant detail about him.What Maya didn’t know, however, was that Clara had been keeping a close eye on Ethan for some time now. Given the way Clara felt about him, it was only natural that she would remember his birthday with such precision.Clara, sensing the confusion, calmly explained, "Well, it's actually a bit of a coincidence. Ethan’s birthday happens to fall on the same day as my father's. Also, I’ve seen Ethan’s ID at one point, so it just sort of stuck in my mind.""Mrs. West, Ethan is your ex-husband, and you were once in love, right? Don’t you think it’s a little thoughtless to plan your wedding on his birthday? Or perhaps you simply forgot that it
A week later, at exactly two o'clock in the afternoon, the streets of Los Angeles were alive with the usual energy. People moved quickly under the scorching sun, some with sunglasses shielding their eyes, others carrying umbrellas to fend off the intense heat. But for Tony, sitting in his BMW, none of it mattered. His mind was consumed by a simmering frustration.Tony sat behind the wheel, gripping it tightly, his fingers tight with anger. He glanced at the phone pressed against his ear, his other hand twitching with impatience. Maya was supposed to be meeting him, but right now."What? Silverstone Enterprises is closing its doors too? Are you kidding me? How is that even possible when things were going so well?" Tony’s voice was sharp. He ran a hand through his hair, a mix of confusion and fury playing across his face.Silverstone Enterprises had been one of the top performers out of the 80 companies he had invested in. It was a golden opportunity, consistently making a strong profi
Ethan immediately picked up the phone and called Flint Michigan.“Uncle Flint, it’s been far too long since we last spoke! This is Ethan Sinclair. How have you been holding up? And how’s your health these days?” Ethan’s voice was warm and respectful as he greeted the legendary hotelier.Flint Michigan’s face lit up with joy on the other end of the line. “Ethan! What a pleasant surprise! It’s been ages since I last heard from you. Just yesterday, I had a video call with your grandfather, and he proudly showed me his newly planted jasmine flowers in the garden! He hasn’t lost his touch with horticulture, that’s for sure.”“I’m doing quite well, actually. I’m taking some much-needed time off in Hawaii, soaking up the sun and relaxing. But enough about me—how about you? Your grandfather told me you’ve wrapped up your duties as a live-in son-in-law for your Ancestral system tasks and that you’re gearing up for a grand entrance into the business world. Sounds like big plans are on the horiz