"You really have come a long way, Marcus," one older gentleman commented, shaking his hand firmly. "Mrs. Thompson was right to single you out. You've made quite a name for yourself.""Always knew you'd go far, Marcus," another chimed in. "You've got that determination and drive.""You're really the star of the night," a woman added, her smile beaming.These words, laced with admiration, only served to inflate Marcus’s already bloated sense of self-importance. The more they praised him, the more he puffed out his chest, his posture exuding arrogance.The twins hovered around him, their exaggerated flattery almost unbearable. They laughed too loudly at his jokes, clung to every word he spoke, and constantly vied for his attention, making sure everyone noticed how close they were to him."Marcus, you’re just on another level tonight. Honestly, who could compare?" Nathan gushed, her voice almost too sweet."You're like the king of the room. Everyone's looking at you," Nada added, casting a

The twins were practically giddy at this point, high-fiving each other in their seats and exchanging victorious grins, feeling like they had finally defeated Robertin front of everyone.Just as Marcus was about to continue his self-serving speech, something unexpected happened. Ms. Martha, the beloved matron of the orphanage, suddenly rushed onto the stage, a look of urgency on her face. She quickly whispered something into Mrs. Thompson’s ear, interrupting the flow of the event. The crowd, sensing the shift, turned their full attention to the stage, curious.Recovering from her initial shock, Mrs. Thompson cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure after the unexpected news. Her voice trembled slightly as she addressed the audience, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have just been informed of a new development—something truly miraculous." Her words carried a mix of awe and excitement, but also nerves.At that moment, Marcus, who had been basking in his supposed victory as the undispu

At first, Robert had no intention of revealing himself. He preferred to stay in the background, letting his actions speak without the need for recognition. But as he sat in the corner, watching Marcus's face light up with satisfaction, smug in the belief that no one would step forward, something shifted within him. The knots in Marcus’s stomach tightened with each passing second, and the more he saw Robert advancing toward the stage, the harder his heart pounded in anger.Marcus’s mind raced. "No, it can’t be," he thought, a storm of disbelief and fury rising within him. His fists clenched, and his face grew red with frustration. His carefully crafted superiority was crumbling, and it was Robert, someone he’d always considered beneath him, who was responsible. The notion of Robert donating such an enormous amount was like a punch to the gut, one he wasn’t prepared to take. “This… this has to be a joke,” Marcus whispered to himself, trying to rationalize what was happening.As Rober

Meanwhile, across the room, Marcus and his two loyal disciples seethed with resentment. They couldn’t shake the feeling of being overshadowed. Robert, once considered beneath them, was now glowing under the spotlight, basking in the praise that Marcus had expected to receive.“Look at them,”Marcus muttered, his jaw clenched as he watched people now regarding Robert with newfound respect. “This is ridiculous. He doesn’t belong here.”The twins nodded in agreement, their faces twisted in disdain. “It’s infuriating. We need to confront him.”Driven by a mix of anger and intrigue, they approached Robert with a sense of entitlement, ready to challenge him. As Marcus and the twins closed in on Robert, the atmosphere thickened with tension. Marcus was the first to break the silence, his voice laced with disbelief and contempt.“So, Robert,” he sneered, crossing his arms defiantly. “Care to enlighten us on how a nobody like you managed to come up with two million dollars? Or did you rob a ban

As Robert and Anita settled into the car, the atmosphere between them was light and playful. Anita leaned back in her seat and glanced at him."So," she began with a grin, "how does it feel driving such a stunning lady around?"Robert smirked. "Well, considering I'm used to driving myself around with no company, this is a nice change."Anita chuckled. "Oh, I see. So, I should feel honored, right?""Maybe," Robert teased, eyes flicking towards her briefly before returning to the road. "But don’t let it get to your head.""Too late," she said with a wink, causing them both to laugh.They continued chatting about random topics, from the music playing in the background to Anita's excitement about the party. At some point, they joked about their past outings, and Robert found himself surprisingly comfortable in her company.He was not used to this—being so at ease with someone. Usually, he preferred solitude, but Anita's presence felt oddly natural."You're not so bad yourself, you know," A