Chapter Sixty SevenFrustrated but determined, Henry pushed off on his bicycle, pedaling down the street, feeling the sting of humiliation settle into his bones. The wind was cool, but his mind was ablaze with the memory of that woman’s sneer, her dismissive tone echoing in his head.After a short ride, he approached the next dealership, a sleek Mercedes-Benz showroom. He hesitated for a second, catching his reflection in the glass: just him and his old bike. Shaking off the doubts, he stepped inside.Almost immediately, a young salesman approached, his expression warm and welcoming. Noticing Henry’s slightly worn look, the young man offered a sympathetic smile.“Welcome, sir. Would you like to take a seat?” he said, his voice kind and respectful. “Can I get you some cold water? You look like you’ve been through a lot.”Surprised by the warmth, Henry nodded, taking the offered seat gratefully as the young man handed him a cold bottle of water.“Thank you,” Henry murmured, taking a lo
Chapter Sixty-EightHenry sat down in the sales office, signing each document with steady precision. The young salesman handed him the final paper, his hands slightly trembling as he watched Henry pull out a sleek black card. Henry swiped it smoothly, the room holding its breath as the machine processed.A second later, the screen flashed: *Transaction Approved.*The young salesman blinked, momentarily speechless. He had hoped Henry was serious, but to see that amount go through was a shock. And then, it hit him—his commission.“Sir, thank you! Thank you so much!” the salesman exclaimed, practically bouncing with joy. His face lit up, unable to contain his excitement as he realized he’d just earned a life-changing amount.“My family… sir, you don’t know what this means. I can finally help with bills back home, and… my brother! I can send him to college!” The salesman’s voice cracked slightly, his gratitude overflowing. He grabbed Henry’s hand, shaking it fervently. “You’re a blessing,
Chapter Sixty-NineHenry chuckled softly, shaking his head. “No, love. I’m not hiding anything from you. Have you noticed how hard I’ve been working these past few days?I’ve been staying up late, making deals, and trying to get everything in order. I’ll tell you everything soon, I promise.” He paused, a warm smile spreading across his face. “Besides, you need this car for work, and I don’t. It’s my way of saying thank you for all your support.”Jasmine looked at him, her heart swelling. “Thank you for providing for us when I had nobody. You stood by me even when my family was against us. I’ll always be grateful.”As he spoke, she felt tears welling up in her eyes. “I know you’ve been working hard, Henry,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I believe you’ll be blessed with a good job and a better position in society.”“But I have a question, though,” she added, her brows furrowing slightly. “What will I do with the Mustang that Prince gave me? The one from Dubai?”Henry sighed,
Chapter Seventy Henry’s brow furrowed as he watched Damon’s face twist in frustration. Damon was pacing, clutching his phone tightly, his voice taut with anger and panic.“What do you mean there’s nothing here? The shelves are empty!” Damon shouted, his voice trembling. “I put my heart and soul into this opening. I can’t believe this… There was supposed to be enough stock to fill this place.”Henry stepped closer, his hand resting on Damon’s shoulder, grounding him. “What happened, man?”Damon’s eyes were wide, desperate. “The truck carrying the meds? It got into an accident on the way here. Logistics completely failed. And now? I’ve got nothing to show. Nothing, Henry.” His voice cracked, his frustration laced with the sting of near-tears. “They’ll cut that ribbon, and there will be empty shelves behind it. It’s humiliating.”Henry could see the weight of this moment bearing down on his friend. Damon had put everything into this launch; failure wasn’t an option. He was a man who pr
Chapter Seventy One Damon and Henry sat together on the patio, chatting like old friends. Damon’s wife, Jasmine, moved through the small gathering, offering drinks and food with a warm smile. The evening was going smoothly—laughter, the gentle clinking of glasses, the warmth of friendship filling the air.Suddenly, the peace was shattered by the roar of an engine. A sleek sports car’s rumble grew louder, turning heads. The Ferrari Turbo skidded to a dramatic stop at the end of the driveway, its tires smoking slightly, the metallic red paint gleaming in the fading sunlight. All eyes turned to watch.Henry frowned, recognizing the theatrics. Damon sighed quietly, sharing a knowing look with Henry. “It’s Alexander, isn’t it?” Henry muttered.“It’s always Alexander,” Damon confirmed with a resigned nod.Alexander stepped out slowly, as if each movement was a carefully crafted show. He wore a crisp designer suit, sunglasses perched on his nose even though the sun was nearly gone. His ch
Chapter Seventy TwoAlexander smirked, leaning back with his hands casually tucked into his pockets. “Oh, I’m sure of this bet. For certain, I’m going to win. I’ve spent more on my car than you could dream of in ten lifetimes, Henry. This isn’t just any Ferrari—it’s got power that car of yours couldn’t even handle. I’ll enjoy watching you eat my dust.”Henry met Alexander’s gaze, unwavering. “Alright, then. I’ll race you. But on one condition.” He paused, allowing the murmurs of the small crowd to die down as Alexander raised an eyebrow, curious.“Condition? What, you planning to chicken out already?” Alexander taunted, his grin widening.Henry’s voice was calm, steady. “Whoever loses,” he said, “drives their car into the river at the end of the junction.”A hush fell over the gathering, and for a moment, Alexander’s grin faltered. His eyes darted to his Ferrari, and a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face. He knew precisely how much his custom-built Ferrari cost. It was no ordinar
Chapter Seventy Three Henry who is now used to people insulting himJust ignored Alexander as he focused on the road while ignoring the way Alexander still tried to cheat him by bringing out exhaust smoke to cover his vision. Henry’s Benz, while not as loud, accelerated with a smooth power, gaining speed quickly and steadily. The car felt stable beneath him, its wheels gripping the road confidently as he leaned forward, focused entirely on the path ahead. He didn’t need Alexander’s flash or noise; he needed precision, control. Every turn, every shift was deliberate.The air was thick with the smell of hot engines, fuel, and the faint metallic scent of the road as both cars tore through the street. Alexander’s Ferrari glistened under the streetlights, a red streak of fury slicing through the evening. He glanced at his rearview mirror, his smirk widening as he saw Henry’s Benz a few lengths behind.“Come on, Henry,” Alexander muttered to himself, a laugh bubbling in his chest. “Is
Chapter Seventy Four Alexander shifted uncomfortably, eyeing the crowd as he tried to come up with an excuse. “Look, I… I think I’ve got some kind of stomach pain,” he stammered, clutching his abdomen and faking a grimace. “That’s why I let Henry win. I didn’t want him to feel too bad, you know. Figured I’d give him a little pity victory.”The crowd, seeing through his weak excuse, began to murmur and laugh. Someone shouted, “Are you scared of losing, Alexander? Can’t you keep your word?”Others joined in, their voices growing louder as they booed him. Alexander’s face turned a deep shade of red, and his jaw clenched in frustration. The taunts and jeers rang in his ears, each one a dagger to his pride.“Fine!” he snapped, throwing his hands up. “I’ll do it! It’s just a car, anyway. I’ve got several of them. Losing one is nothing.” But despite his words, his voice betrayed him, tinged with bitterness. His prized Ferrari was more than just a car; it was a symbol of his status, and the