Robert McAfee; The New Student Trillionaire

CHAPTER 7

“ Look who we have here!” David chuckled as he and his twin walked towards Robert who was still on the floor as he was trying to recover from the fall they caused.

The air was still thick and not even a bird crying or an insect buzzing was heard. David closed his car door, the sound of the door closing almost sent another shock wave down Robert’s spine.

 David walked closer to him, followed closely by his twin brother Bucky. David grabbed Robert’s hand while Bucky pulled his well-tucked-in shirt. 

“ Do you think you can just disappear like that” David asked as he squeezed Robert to the wall

“So how did Mr Edward retrieve his card from you thief?” Bucky asked Robert who was still held by his shirt by his big twin brother 

“ I don't know “ Robert managed to say but no one could hear him

“ I am sure they had beaten you to a pulp before handing you over to the police “ David said and laughed at how hilarious it would have been to watch him get beaten up for stealing 

“ Now I am sure the hall chanted ‘Thief,thief’ while he was dragged to the center of the mail, we really missed such an amazing show” Bucky interrupted David's laugh to add this scene and they could only imagine how humiliated Robert was that day.

“Dad made us miss it but we won't miss this one!” David muttered because they had to leave the mall earlier because they had a flight to catch for their dad's new company's inauguration.

While they asked him more questions, David noticed he smelled and looked different.

“ Who gave you such taste, this suit is really expensive, how did you get it “ David asked because he just noticed that Robert was wearing a ™ Levine suit with really expensive loafers to match so he wondered who helped him get this put together and for what occasion 

“ He stole it “ Bucky interrupted and the twins let out a big laughter 

They both laughed until they calmed themselves to speak to Robert. Robert was so embarrassed but he wondered why they always picked on him even when he was minding his business and trying to focus on other things.

“ But that's not why we are here, we are hosting the grandest party of the year and you should be there” Bucky said to Robert 

“No thank you” Robert turned down the offer immediately 

“ Who is inviting you, we are telling you that you have no choice but to be at the party” Bucky responded, he was amazed that Robert turned down the invitation like he had a choice not to attend.

“ Do you know that this is the prestigious Twine group induction, many students will kill to be offered a free invite to see the prestigious members of the Twine group in Pinehills which was headed by Matthew and Eva McCastrol; their coronation only allowed high-profile individuals to be a part of the group.” Bucky tried harder to explain to Robert what was at stake if he didn't attend 

“So, I am not interested” Robert rejected the invitation again after Bucky detailed explained and he walked down to the sidewalk bench. He sat down and scrolled through his contact list in search of the doctor’s number

Stunned by his rejection the Orlandos walked up to him again and told him that this would be their last time they would talk to him peacefully and they insisted that they wanted him to take the most important part of the ceremony and they informed him that without him the ceremony would not hold.

David then continued, sitting down beside Robert and putting his hand over his shoulder.” Just like Jesus is the way to eternal life like a stepping stone, that is your role at this party, you are the stepping stone for their ascension into the all-great, all-mighty, all-exclusive Twine group”. Both brothers burst into disdainful laughter. Robert got angry; he pushed David’s hand away from his shoulder.

Robert understood what they meant by the special role and he refused to be their sacrificial lamb for their stupid event so he adjusted himself while thinking about how to leave but David and Bucky but then the atmosphere got tensed 

“This is a tradition that had happened from previous sets and we intend to preserve it no matter what “ David muttered inwardly as he saw Robert's movements.

The Twine group law has a tradition that in every induction ceremony, a sacrificial lamb must be slain, a term they used to explain that a student of whatever grade will be humiliated to stupor.

Bucky thought of a plan to get everyone at the party including Robert so he broke the tense silence and openly announced that the event would be taking place at Hotel Délavilà-one of the most prestigious hotels in Pinehills. 

A few curious students had started gathering nearby, drawn by the tension and the Orlando twins' theatrical flair.

“To sweeten the pot,” Bucky continued, raising his voice now, “the party’s at Hotel Délavilà. Anyone who gets our sacrificial lamb to show up before the start gets full access. No guest list restrictions. All drinks, food—free.”

He grinned like a ringmaster promising lions.

“And,” David added with a flourish, “a full week of meals on me for whoever delivers him.”

They turned on their heels and headed for their sleek black coupe. The engine roared, and the car disappeared around the corner in a blaze of arrogance.

Robert sighed, just barely starting to rise from the bench—only to be surrounded.

A mob of students, previously lurking in the shadows, now stepped forward. There were at least a dozen of them, eyes gleaming with the hunger of opportunity.

“You heard ‘em,” one guy said, cracking his knuckles. “A week’s worth of food for one loser? Hell yes.”

“Let’s not hurt him,” a girl snorted, “but maybe a little persuasion will get him to the hotel.”

“Come on, Rob,” another sneered. “Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”

Robert’s mind spun. Could he fight his way out? No. Run? Maybe. But what then? These kids would make his life a living hell. His mind flashed back to Mr. Edward Jones, the stern lawyer who represented his late grandfather. The man’s voice echoed in his mind:

"The tests are not about power, Robert. They're about patience, character, and control. And secrecy. Fail one, and everything vanishes."

He couldn’t reveal who he was. Couldn’t call in the secret security his grandfather had granted him. Not yet. He didn’t even know if this was one of the ten tests.

So he sighed. And nodded.

“Fine. I’ll go.”

A cheer erupted. Someone slapped him on the back. Another high-fived someone else. As if they had just won a trophy.

They led him like a prisoner of war, some walking beside him, others ahead, pulling up their phones to post videos and pictures. "Pinehills Messiah headed for the slaughterhouse," one caption read.

The grand double doors of Hotel Délavilà opened automatically, releasing a gust of conditioned air laced with cologne and luxury. Marble floors glistened beneath gold chandeliers. The students stepped into the grandeur like peasants crashing a royal gala.

Eva McCastrol was seated elegantly on the central dais, her red gown wrapped tight around her slim frame, a crystal flute of champagne in one hand and mischief in her eyes. Her gaze locked on Robert the moment he entered.

She stood.

“And there he is!” she announced, voice slicing through the chatter. “The Messiah! The lamb to be slain so the rest may rise!”

The room erupted in laughter.

Eva gestured theatrically, motioning for him to be brought to a seat—no, a throne—placed right in the center of the room, under a spotlight. Around him were students in glittering attire, sipping champagne, holding phones, recording every second.

“Take your place, Savior,” Eva mocked, her eyes glittering. “Behold, the ransom paid in shame!”

David and Bucky arrived moments later, dressed in custom suits that screamed excess. They strutted in like warlords, smiling as they approached Robert.

“This is what legacy looks like,” Bucky said, loud enough for everyone to hear, “and that—” he pointed at Robert, “—is what charity looks like.”

The laughter grew louder.

“Tell me, Rob,” David leaned forward with a smirk, “did your mother help iron your fancy suit before dying? Oh wait—”

And then Bucky delivered the line.

“Hey Robert,” he sneered, “tell us what happened to your whore of a mother. Hope she’s dead by now.”

Everything stopped.

The lights, the laughter, the music—all faded into silence. Robert sat still, eyes burning into the carpet beneath him.

His hand trembled

. Not from fear. Not from shame.

From fury.

He clenched his fists so tightly, his nails bit into his skin.