2026-04-06 05:37:54The conversation between Alex and the receptionist started drawing attention from the people around them.
At first it was only a few curious glances.
Then whispers began.
“What's happening over there?”
Within moments, several customers who had been minding their own business slowly turned their heads toward the reception desk.
The raised voices, the mocking laughter, and the obvious tension between the poorly dressed young man and the sharply dressed receptionist made the situation impossible to ignore.
Soon more people gathered and a large crowd formed.
Expensive suits. Diamond watches. Designer dresses.
They stood there, watching Alex like he was some kind of entertainment.
Murmurs started spreading through the group.
“Who let this guy in here?”
“Look at his clothes.”
“He looks like he just crawled out of a dumpster.”
Another man snorted loudly. “This bank really needs better security.”
A woman holding a designer handbag wrinkled her nose as she looked Alex up and down.
“Honestly,” she said loudly to the person beside her, “I’ve seen better dressed beggars outside subway stations.”
Several people chuckled.
One middle-aged man shook his head slowly.
“How shameless can someone be?” he muttered. “Walking into Gold Crest Bank dressed like that.”
Another voice joined in.
“Maybe he got lost while looking for a soup kitchen.”
More laughter followed.
“Or maybe he came to ask for donations,” someone else added mockingly.
The insults kept coming.
“Those shoes look older than my company.”
“That hoodie probably cost two dollars.”
“Even my driver dresses better than him.”
“Someone should throw him out already.”
Alex heard every word.
Every insult.
Every laugh.
But he did not respond.
His face remained calm as he looked back at the receptionist.
“I don’t want any trouble,” he said calmly. “I just came to withdraw some money.”
He paused before adding honestly, “I need to get something to eat.”
That statement only made things worse.
The crowd burst into louder laughter.
“Did you hear that?”
“He came here for food money!”
“This isn’t a charity center!”
One man laughed so hard he had to wipe his eyes.
“You’re in the wrong place, kid,” he sneered. “Go beg outside a fast food restaurant instead.”
Another woman scoffed.
“Honestly, this is embarrassing.”
The receptionist crossed her arms and smiled smugly.
“Oh, now I understand,” she said loudly so everyone could hear. “You came here because you’re hungry?”
More laughter erupted.
She shook her head in exaggerated pity. “That’s truly tragic.”
Her eyes scanned his worn clothes again. “But let me give you some advice,” she said mockingly. “If you want food money, there are plenty of garbage bins behind restaurants.”
The crowd chuckled again.
Someone muttered loudly, “Yeah, maybe he’ll find leftovers.”
Another voice said, “Someone give him a dollar before he faints.”
A young banker standing nearby whispered to his colleague, “I bet he doesn’t even have five dollars.”
His colleague smirked. “You’re being generous.”
The insults kept coming from every direction.
“Look at that hoodie.”
“Those shoes are falling apart.”
“Did he steal them from a homeless shelter?”
“Even the janitors here wouldn’t dress like that.”
Through all of it, Alex stayed quiet.
He didn’t argue.
He didn’t shout.
He simply glanced around slowly.
That was when he noticed something.
Not far from the reception desk, a man in an expensive suit stood in front of a sleek machine built into the wall.
The man inserted a card.
Pressed some buttons.
Moments later, cash came out.
Alex’s eyes lit up slightly. “So that’s where you withdraw money,” he murmured.
He didn’t wait any longer.
Alex turned around and began walking toward the machine.
The receptionist noticed immediately.
“HEY!” she shouted sharply.
Her high heels clicked loudly against the floor as she hurried after him. “Where do you think you’re going?!”
Alex ignored her.
He continued walking calmly toward the machine.
The crowd followed with growing curiosity.
“Is he serious?”
“He’s actually going to try it!”
“This is going to be hilarious.”
The receptionist rushed closer, her voice rising with anger. “Stop right there!”
Alex didn’t stop.
Her face turned red with frustration. “Don’t you dare touch that machine!” she snapped. “If you do, I will call security immediately!”
Several people in the crowd laughed.
“Yes, please call security.”
“This clown needs to be thrown out.”
“Preferably by the collar.”
The receptionist continued shouting behind him. “Come back here right now!”
Her voice echoed through the bank. “That machine is not for people like you!”
Alex walked straight up to the machine.
He calmly took out the black card.
Behind him, the receptionist finally caught up.
Her hand reached forward as if she wanted to stop him physically.
“Are you deaf?!” she snapped. “I told you not to—”
Alex inserted the card and the machine beeped.
The screen lit up.
The receptionist froze for a split second.
Then she scoffed loudly.
“Unbelievable,” she muttered. “You really have no shame.”
The crowd gathered even closer.
“Watch,” someone whispered. “The machine will reject it.”
Another man laughed.
“Of course it will.”
“Cards with zero balance usually do.”
The receptionist folded her arms and sneered at Alex. “You know what?” she said mockingly. “Go ahead.”
Her tone dripped with sarcasm. “Let the machine prove what I’ve been saying this whole time.”
Alex calmly typed in the PIN he had memorized from the envelope.
The machine processed the request.
The screen displayed:
CURRENT BALANCE LOADING…
The receptionist chuckled.
Her earlier anger faded.
Now she looked excited.
“Oh this is perfect,” she said loudly.
The crowd leaned closer.
“Imagine thinking your empty card belongs in the machine of a prestigious bank like this.”
A man in the crowd laughed.
“This will be good.”
Another woman whispered, “I can’t wait to see his face.”
The receptionist smiled widely.
Her eyes sparkled with cruel amusement.
“I hope you’re ready,” she said to Alex mockingly. “Because when that screen shows zero dollars, you’re going to look like the biggest fool in the entire city.”
Several people laughed loudly.
Someone muttered, “He already does.”
The machine beeped again.
The receptionist leaned forward eagerly.
Her smile grew wider.
“Come on,” she whispered excitedly. “Let’s see how poor you really are.”
The machine finished processing.
Then suddenly—
The screen displayed the balance.
At the same moment, the machine’s voice announced clearly:
“Account balance: Eight hundred billion dollars.”
Silence.
Total silence.
The receptionist froze.
The crowd froze.
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
CH-80
For several seconds, neither of the two men said anything. They simply stood there staring at Richard as though they were waiting for him to take back what he had just said.The expression on their faces had completely changed. The taller man slowly lowered his arms from his chest, while the other man's eyes widened with disbelief. Neither of them seemed capable of immediately processing the information Mr. Donovan had just delivered.Finally, the taller man broke the silence."Wait a moment. Did you just say that Victor Hale's son is back?"Mr. Donovan slowly nodded, his expression remaining completely serious. "Yes. That is exactly what I said."The second man stared at him for several seconds before shaking his head. "That is impossible. The last information we received was that the boy was still missing.""I know," Mr. Donovan replied calmly."We were told that after all these years, there was still no sign of him. As far as we knew, Victor had spent years searching without findi
CH-79
Richard Donovan forced another smile onto his face, although it required far more effort than before.He slowly rose from the chair opposite Mr. Hale's desk and straightened the front of his tailored suit."I suppose I've taken enough of your time for today," he said with a light chuckle. "There are still a number of reports waiting on my desk, and if I stay here much longer, my assistants will probably start wondering where I've disappeared to."Mr. Hale smiled warmly. "I understand."Mr. Donovan picked up the leather folder he had brought with him and tucked it beneath his arm.As he reached the door, he suddenly paused and turned around again."Before I go..."Mr. Hale looked at him. "Yes?"Mr. Donovan's smile returned, warmer than ever. "I really am looking forward to meeting Alex properly."Mr. Hale's face softened immediately. "I know you are.""I've heard so much about him already." Mr. Donovan chuckled. "I have to admit, I'm curious."Mr. Hale leaned back comfortably in his ch
CH-78
There was a few minutes of silence before Richard cleared his throat and spoke."Mr. Hale….There was actually something I wanted to talk to you about.""Go ahead." Victor nodded calmly."I've been thinking about the decision you made recently." Mr. Donovan said again.Mr. Hale frowned slightly. "What decision?"Mr. Donovan folded his hands together before answering. "The transfer of ownership, the companies, the shares."Mr. Hale's expression remained calm. "What about them?"Mr. Donovan leaned forward slightly in his chair. "I've been wondering..."He paused for a brief moment, carefully choosing his next words. "Are you absolutely certain you've made the right decision?""What exactly do you mean by that?" Mr. Hale looked at him with mild surprise.Mr. Donovan immediately raised one hand. "Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not questioning the fact that Alex is your son."Mr. Hale remained silent and simply waited for him to continue."I'm only wondering whether everything is happen
CH-77
Victor Hale sat alone inside the executive office on the top floor of Hale Global Holdings.The floor-to-ceiling windows behind him overlooked the city's skyline, but he paid no attention to the breathtaking view. On any other day, he would have admired the sight for a few moments before getting back to work.Today, however, it was as though the view did not even exist.His hands were clasped together beneath his chin as he sat motionless in his leather chair.His thoughts were somewhere else. Far away from business, far away from work.Slowly, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.Almost immediately, memories came rushing back....Dark clouds covered the sky as heavy rain poured relentlessly onto the cemetery.Rows of mourners dressed in black stood quietly beneath their umbrellas, their faces filled with sorrow.The only sounds were the rain striking the umbrellas, the wind blowing through the trees, and the soft sobs of grieving family members.Victor stood silently in
CH-76
Alex followed the directions the Vice Chancellor had given him until he arrived at the university's Media and Communications Office.The office occupied one corner of the Administrative Building.Alex paused for a moment before knocking gently on the open door."Good afternoon."The man in the office looked up from his computer and smiled politely."Good afternoon. Please come in.""I was directed here by the Vice Chancellor." Alex stepped inside."The Vice Chancellor?" the man repeated as he pushed his chair back slightly. "Please, have a seat. How can I help you?"Alex sat down opposite the man's desk."He asked me to come here because I'm contesting the Student Union presidential election."Understanding immediately appeared on the staff member's face."Oh, I see." He smiled. "So you're one of this year's candidates. What exactly do you need us to prepare for you?""Flyers, posters, banners, and campaign advertisements," Alex said.The man nodded approvingly."That's exactly where
CH-75
The moment Alex stepped into the Vice Chancellor's office, he quietly closed the door behind him.The Vice Chancellor looked up from the stack of documents spread neatly across his desk. The moment he saw who had entered, a faint smile appeared on his face."Mr. Hayes."Alex nodded respectfully. "Good afternoon, sir.""Good afternoon, Mr. Hayes." The Vice Chancellor gestured toward the chair in front of his desk. "Please, have a seat.""Thank you, sir."Alex walked over and sat down, carefully placing the large envelope he had been carrying on his lap."I assume this visit has something to do with the Student Union election," the Vice Chancellor said."Yes, sir. That's exactly why I came." Alex nodded.The Vice Chancellor leaned back comfortably in his chair. "Very well. Tell me, what would you like to discuss?"Alex scratched the back of his head awkwardly before letting out a quiet laugh."To be completely honest, sir..."He hesitated for a moment before continuing."I don't even kn
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