"Hey man! Where the heck are you?! You promised to come early, remember?!" Zack, Evan's friend and former classmate asked loudly over the phone.
Prior to today, Zack had informed Evan about an upcoming reunion for old classmates, scheduled to take place at one of the most prestigious hotels in Metropolis Central, Harlow Grand Hotels & Resorts. Evan had forgotten about the reunion due to how preoccupied he was with Mrs Evelyn's condition. Though Evan was reluctant to go, he had already promised Zack that he would attend. "I'm on my way Zack. I'll be there soon" Evan assured before ending the call, he was still at the hospital. "Look, I'm currently late for a reunion I'm supposed to be at right now. I'll give you a call when I finish up so I can meet my granddad" Evan said hastily to Mr Johnson. "Where is the reunion held, young master? Would you like me to accompany you there?!" Mr Johnson asked with concern. "It's in Harlow Grand Hotels & Resorts and no, I'll just take a cab" Evan declined. "Ok then, please take this with you" Mr Johnson said, stretching out his hand towards Evan, giving him a sleekly designed emerald card with Evan's last name neatly crested on it. "What is this?!" Evan asked, puzzled. "It's an Emerald Prime Card, with a small balance of $200,000,000. It also offers exclusive benefits and privileges to its holders, including access to private jets, luxury yachts, and VIP events. Please, have it. It's yours now" Mr Johnson explained. Evan couldn't believe his ears. Did Mr Johnson just call $200,000,000 small? He was just beginning to grasp how rich the Stones Family were. "Are you sure this is mine?!" Evan asked in shock. "Yes, or won't the amount be enough for you today, young master?! I can triple the balance if you'd like" Mr Johnson asked, slightly worrying if it wasn't enough. "N...no it's fine. Thank you" Evan fidgeted, Mr Johnson asking if $200,000,000 wouldn't be enough for a day shocked him. He had only $70 in his account just a few minutes ago. He couldn't believe how drastic his life had changed in an instant. "And If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to call me" Mr Johnson added, his concern evident. "Thank you. I better start going now" Evan said hastily and left to take a cab to the destination of the reunion. He didn't have time to change his clothes so he still had on his worn-out shirt and pants. The cab arrived at the prestigious hotel, Evan paid the driver and got out of the car only to see Connor Smith, who happens to be Justin Smith's cousin and Evan's former classmate. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the infamous Evan Stone. What the hell are you doing here? I never knew you were invited" Connor Smith said cockishly, slightly irritated to see Evan and so was Evan. Connor Smith was one of Evan's former bullies in college. Evan never liked him as Connor had a disgusting personality and was always so full of himself. Refusing to engage with Connor, Evan walked past him and headed straight into the hotel to meet Zack, leaving Connor slightly miffed. "Hold it right there! Where do you think you're going?!" One of the buff guards stationed at the entrance of the hotel asked sternly, eyeing Evan's worn-out clothes in disdain. "I'm here for a reunion, so if you would please excuse me" Evan replied swiftly as he tried to walk past but they stood firm, blocking his path. Connor Smith saw what was happening and he laughed from afar before striding confidently towards the entrance of the hotel, and based on the plush brown suit he wore and how presentable he looked, the guards allowed him to pass unimpeded. Evan attempted to hurriedly move along with Connor but the guards immediately seized his arm. "Don't try to play smart now, boy. We've dealt with your type before…poor beggars trying to infiltrate the hotel so they can cause nuisance to our exquisite guests" the guard scoffed, tightening his grip on Evan's arm. Evan was on the verge of reacting but he hesitated the moment he heard a familiar voice. "Hey buddy, what took you so long?!" He looked over and saw Zack, and so did the guards. "He's with me guards" Luckily, Zack quickly intervened as he caught a glimpse of Evan as he sat inside the hotel. Evan yanked his arm off the guard's grip the moment Zack said that and went in with him. The high ceilings of the hotel were adorned with sparkling chandeliers, casting a warm, inviting glow over the entire space. The whole room exuded luxury. Zack guided Evan to their seats in the huge posh dining room of the hotel, where he noticed several other former classmates, most of whom shot him with demeaning looks as the low chatter of the other patrons present in the room filled the atmosphere. "Ew, don't sit here! Someone's already claimed this spot, and besides, my bag's clearly on it!" Rose, one of Evan's former classmates, said with disgust as Evan attempted to take a seat beside her. She looked stunning, with her petite figure. Rose lied, the seat was empty but she just didn't want Evan to sit close to her because of how awful he looked. Feeling awkward, Evan hesitated before finally settling into the empty seat beside Zack. He never wanted to attend this reunion in the first place. "Waiter! Over here!" Connor Smith called out, and an impeccably dressed waiter quickly came to take their order. "Bring your most expensive drink for everyone here except him," Connor said haughtily, exempting Evan from his generous gesture in a motive to spite him. The waiter nodded and left to fetch the most expensive drink available in the hotel. "Here you go sir, this is the Celestial Crystal Grandeur Champagne. It's known for being rare and it's exceptional quality. Its cost…" "Spare me the details, just open it and serve us" Connor proudly interjected, he was eager to flaunt his wealth and impress everyone around the table, particularly the ladies. The waiter poured the champagne delicately into their glasses and then left to get the rest of their orders. Meanwhile, Zack quietly paid for Evan's meal. "So, Evan, how have you been? It's good to see you again" Arabella, one of Evan's former classmates, asked calmly, showing genuine interest. She looked charming as always. She was one of the pretty girls in school back then. Before Evan could respond, Connor interjected with a snide comment, itching to degrade him in front of everyone "I heard he was a garbage collector and a live-in son-in-law of the Reynolds family, but got kicked out recently after his wife divorced his sorry ass" "Aww, poor thing. Life really dealt you a tough hand, huh?" Rose added, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she joined in mocking Evan. "Worst of all, I heard he slept on the floor in his ex-wife's room all through the one year of their marriage, and she never allowed him to touch her" Connor continued, laughing and goading in pleasure. "Damn, that's rough" Nicholas, one of Evan's former classmates chimed in with laughter, adding to the mockery. Feeling a surge of anger, Evan clenched his fists and thudded them on the table, struggling to maintain his composure. This instantly drew the attention of the other patrons."That's enough Connor!" Arabella intervened sharply, shooting Connor a cold stare, and this slightly bruised Connor's ego. He expected Arabella to join in on the fun."Now let's talk about something else. Zack, I heard you bagged a new job at Jarvis's Tech Corp. Congrats by the way" She switched to Zack, trying to dilute the tension."Yeah, I did. I didn't expect to get picked though but I'm really happy about it" Zack replied cheerfully."Lucky you Zacky, I heard their pay is really good" Rose added coquettishly and Connor's eyes twitched in jealousy."Yeah, it really is," Zack confirmed."That's great bro. But I bet it's not as stressful as me being the manager of Urbanworks Construction, my schedule is really tight, that's one of the reasons I came late even" Connor said, raising an eyebrow, trying to bring attention to himself."Wow Connor, you're the manager of the famous Urbanworks Construction Company?! That's a huge position you've got there" Rose cooed, diverting her attentio
"Are you trying to be funny, Evan? You couldn't even afford your own meal" Connor blurted out."Exactly. What are trying to prove, Evan?! I would have asked if you're drunk but you didn't take from the champagne" Rose finally opened her mouth to speak, her tone filled with disdain."Bro, what are you doing?" Zack asked with a low tone, nudging Evan's arm in a subtle manner."It seems to me you all came to play jokes here" the manager said, eyeing Evan with contempt.Ignoring their remarks, Evan calmly stood up and gently dipped his hand into his pocket. With a composed demeanor, he retrieved the Emerald Prime Card and handed it over to the manager to pay the bill."It can't be! Is that an Emerald Prime Card?!""Only a few respected billionaires have access to that card!""I can't believe my eyes!"Some of the patrons whispered in disbelief.The manager raised his brows skeptically as he narrowed his eyes at Evan. "What do you take me for? A fool? How dare you try to play me with an ob
"Welcome, young master. I trust the reunion went well?" Mr Johnson warmly greeted, as Evan entered one of the waiting convoys of luxurious cars parked outside the hotel."Ah yes it did" Evan replied with a smile on his face.Vance Harlow had done as Evan ordered. Connor, Rose, and Nicholas were humiliated and thrown out of the hotel by the security guards and stood outside the building in shame.Connor especially, was mortified."This is all your fault, Connor. Look what you've caused" Rose and Nicholas had scolded him in disdain.It was then shortly after, Evan came out of the hotel with Zack and Arabella and they were all stunned to see a convoy of huge luxurious cars waiting for him. The perception of Evan they had in their heads was altered, he wasn't the pauper they had thought he was.…Mr Johnson took Evan to see his Grandfather Williams Stone. He was surprised to see his grandfather at a hospital. Grandpa Williams Stone was really old and had been terribly sick, so he had be
A little smile visibly formed at the corner of Evan's lips as he stared back intently at Xavier. Seeing this, Xavier instantly felt a pang of irritation, while Caitlin raised her eyebrows in surprise. "What's funny? Does this look like a joke to you?" Caitlin questioned in disdain, she was taken aback by Evan's composure. Why was he so calm and confident? This wasn't the person she knew him to be. "Maybe he feels too important to kneel before me. Let's not waste any more time on him, babe. He's not worth it. Come on, let's head inside" Xavier said, wrapping his arm around Caitlin's waist. "You're right, baby. When he starves, he'll come begging for the job like the vagrant he is" Caitlin mocked, laughing as they walked toward the company. "Welcome, sir" the guards greeted Xavier as he and Caitlin reached the entrance. Without any waste of time, he sternly ordered, "See that dolt over there? Make sure he doesn't get in, or you both are fired" "Yes sir" the guards replied
"I want Xavier sacked. And I want him sacked now" Evan ordered firmly, his aura calm yet dominating. "Y-yes, sir. I'll send the secretary to inform him of his termination immediately. Is there anything else you'd like me to do?" She replied, a bit shaken by Evan's demeanor as she sought to please him. She felt like she was walking on needles and couldn't afford to be the next to lose her job. She knew how hard she had worked for it and couldn't bear the thought of it being taken away in an instant. "You can handle that for now. I'll let you know what I need next once that's done" Evan replied. *** In Xavier's office, he heard a knock on the door, interrupting his and Caitlin's make-out session. "Can't they just leave you alone for one minute?" Caitlin grumbled under her breath, she was slightly miffed. "Who is it?! I'm busy now, just come back later!" Xavier shouted, irritation creeping into his voice as he felt disturbed. He was about to resume their make-out session,
"I want you to make an official announcement about the new company's president. However, keep my identity a secret. Just refer to me as a member of the Stone family, Mr Stone" Evan ordered."The second announcement should be about our willingness to cooperate with new companies" he added.Evan had a plan. He knew both announcements would shake the media, grabbing the attention of various billionaires and prominent figures. Most importantly, it would attract the Reynolds's family's attention."Yes, sir. I'll get this done immediately" Bella responded, nodding. As she was about to leave, Evan stood up from his office chair and said,"Also, I want you to know that I won't be here often. So you'll primarily be in charge of the company's affairs""Yes, sir" Bella replied. She understood Evan being the grandson of the Stone's family automatically meant he was a very busy man.Being aware of the numerous companies the Stones owned, she knew that while GigaBank Financial Group is also a sig
"Have you heard?" a middle-aged woman in the bustling streets of the city said to her friend."Heard about what?" her friend replied, curiosity piqued and eager for the latest gossip."GigaBank Financial Group has a new president and they're open for partnerships. Do you know how rare that is?""Really? That's huge news!" her friend exclaimed."Rumor has it that many moguls and companies have reached out, but they only accepted one" the woman continued."What? Just one?! That's unbelievable. Who did they choose?" her friend asked, eyes wide with anticipation.The news about the new president of GigaBank Financial Group spread all over Metropolis Central, just as Evan had predicted.No one knew he was the new president, except Bella Blaze and Mr Johnson, of course.Every billionaire and CEO in the city and beyond did indeed reach out, being willing to do anything to become partners and to discover the identity of the new President.Who wouldn't? Being close to a Stone family member was
Surprised by Evan's boldness, the sales assistant paused for a moment then replied with a contemptuous stare and tone, "Or our security will escort you out!" Her eyes shifted to the side and Evan's gaze followed, noticing the huge security guards closing in, their eyes fixed on him like predators.The voices of the patrons echoed through the store, each adding their own opinion on the scene before them."He sure has a mouth for someone who looks like that" a patron murmured to someone beside her."Tell me about it. Just look at what he's wearing. I wonder how they allowed someone who looks like a peasant to come in here" another chimed in."Can't he see he shouldn't have come here to shop? The things here wouldn't even be in his income bracket" someone else added, their words soaked in resentment."Maybe he's a scammer, like the sales assistant said. They often come in here to take pictures, posing as a customer without buying a thing, just so they can post on social media and show o