Declan was taken aback by Nathan's response. "Excuse me?" he asked. "What do you mean it's not enough?" Nathan looked at Declan sternly. "One more thing. An apology in front of everyone and a face-slap by yourself. Those are my terms." Declan's expression was a mixture of anger and disbelief. "You want me to apologize and slap my face publicly? That's ridiculous!" He couldn't accept losing, moreover, doing such a humiliating thing. "It's not ridiculous. It's necessary," Nathan replied. Declan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Fine." He added more to the deal. "And if you're found to be a scam, not only do you have to spend half of your life to spend one million dollars for me, but you also have to slap your face ten times in front of everyone as a symbol of your apology." Declan never thought that Nathan would have that much money. Therefore, what he just said was to scare Nathan. Moreover, if Nathan were still honorable and accepted his requirement, he would have a million
Nathan remained calm even though everyone was looking at him suspiciously. He calmly said, "I'm afraid I can't do what you asked." "What do you mean? Do you want to back out of your promise? Nathan, you know you can't do that. Everyone here heard you accept the deal. So don't act recklessly. I'm confident everyone here can make your life miserable if you don't keep your word." Declan sneered. Hayleigh added, "Nathan, I knew you were trouble before, but I never thought you would be this foolish." Many onlookers agreed with Declan's statement. "It's not my fault," Nathan replied. Declan laughed, "So now you're blaming it on someone else? You can't change anything here, Nathan. Admit your mistake!" Nathan looked at the butler and calmly said, "Can you please recheck your systems? I think there might be an error." He turned to Declan and continued, "You know, sometimes the system can have errors when many high-value transactions are happening simultaneously." The butler hesitated,
The atmosphere at the party shifts dramatically after Nathan's victory over Declan. Whispers fill the air as the attendees buzz with excitement and astonishment. Nathan stands in the center of it all, his demeanor composed and unyielding. Matilda, visibly impressed by Nathan's integrity and quick thinking, approaches him with a grateful smile. "Nathan, I must admit, you surprised me," Matilda says, her voice laced with admiration. "I don't expect you to handle the situation so skillfully. You prove yourself to be a person of honor." "Thank you, Matilda. I believe in fairness and trust, even in the face of adversity. It's essential to maintain integrity, especially in situations like these," Nathan nods appreciatively, still trying to figure out why she suddenly wants to talk to him. "Declan's behavior is disappointing, but it reveals his true character. It's unfortunate, as he was once considered a close friend. But your victory, Nathan, highlights the strength of your character," M
Nathan stands there, momentarily taken aback by Emily's formal greeting. He quickly recovers and offers her a warm smile, trying to ease the tension in the room. "Good morning, Emily," Nathan replies, his voice filled with genuine kindness. "It's a pleasure to meet you too. I'm glad to have you here as our company's scholar." Emily raises her head slightly, her eyes still filled with uncertainty. "Thank you, Mr. Jimenez. I appreciate the opportunity." He just stands there in front of her, not saying anything when the Dean suddenly speaks again. “If Mr. Jimenez would like to, can you tour Emily around if it's not a burden?” The Dean states with hesitation but smiles widely after Nathan nods in agreement. After the door opens, Emily is still in a state of hesitation before going out. Nathan tours her in every corner of the school, but he can notice the way Emily tries to distance herself. It’s almost as if he has some contagious disease. “Emily, what’s—” He is just about to ask Emil
Nathan was sitting patiently in their small living room as he waited for his dad to come home. He told him that he’ll come for him tonight. He was busy reading books for a school project when suddenly the doorbell rang. He threw his book on the floor and immediately stood up from the floor. “Dad—” His excitement was cut off when he saw a middle aged man standing on their front door looking so clean with his white polo that was tucked in his jeans. “Young Master Nathan, Mr. Jimenez told me to pick you up. Please pack only important things and come with me, you’re moving into the mansion.” He said without a break and Nathan could only nod in daze. He grabbed his duffle bag and placed some of his clothes, school books and picture albums. After placing his bag in the trunk of the luxurious-looking car that the guy was driving, he immediately went inside and sat there quietly. He didn't know where they are going, but it took them a couple of minutes until they reached a big gate that
The next Monday at school, Nathan tried to find Emily, seeking the comfort of a familiar face in the midst of the chaos his life had become. He knows, the moment he saw her crying, all he wanted to do was to protect her from everything and everyone. He scans the crowded hallway, his eyes darting from one corner to another, until he spots her sitting alone, trying to blend into the background. With a glimmer of hope, he makes his way towards her, determined to reconnect and find comfort in their friendship. As he approaches Emily, he notices her subtle attempts to avoid eye contact, her body language clearly indicating her desire to be left alone. She suddenly put her earbuds on and looked outside the window while listening to her music. Confusion and hurt wash over Nathan, as he wonders why the one he thought was his friend seems to want to do nothing to him while deliberately avoiding him. Doubt begins to seep into his thoughts, questioning if that night he thought they had a small
For three days, Emily had been trying to find the courage to talk to Nathan, but every time she saw him, her nerves got the best of her. The fear of facing her own insecurities and potential consequences held her back. “I've been avoiding him for so long. Why is it so hard for me to talk to him? I know I need to face my fears, but what if everything falls apart? What if he sees the truth about me and decides that I'm not worth it?” Emily asked herself while staring at the mirror with a wet face after splashing water from the faucet of the girl’s bathroom. “But, are my feelings worth risking everything? I’ve talked to him once, and that’s it.” With a heavy heart, Emily got out of the bathroom but stopped when he heard Matilda’s voice from a distance. “Nathan! Wait up!” She froze and turned to look at Nathan who’s smiling at Matilda before they walked out. ‘I can see the sincerity in his eyes, the genuine desire to understand. Maybe, just maybe, he'll be able to see past my insecur
Nathan's face lit up with a mixture of relief and gratitude. He took a step closer, careful not to invade her personal space, and offered her the bouquet of sunflowers and daisies he had picked out for her. “I brought these for you. Sunflowers and daisies, your favorites. They reminded me of your vibrant spirit and the joy you bring into my life.” Emily's eyes widened in surprise as she accepted the bouquet, her fingers brushing against the delicate petals. “You didn’t have to.They're beautiful, Nathan. Thank you.” The air between them softened as they stood amidst the tranquil beauty of the garden. The sound of chirping birds and the gentle rustle of leaves provided a backdrop for their conversation, creating a serene atmosphere. “Emily, I want you to know that I genuinely care about you. What happened between Declan and me, it was a misunderstanding, and it should never have affected our friendship. I've missed talking to you and spending time together.” Emily's voice quivered s