2025-08-04 00:39:19The energy in the auditorium was electric. Neon lights flashed across the stage, confetti canons were cocked and ready, and the roar of the crowd was deafening. Stepper was on stage, delivering a show-stopping performance that felt like a Super Bowl halftime show. Her voice thundered through the hall, her choreography flawless, her presence magnetic. Everyone was on their feet, screaming, singing along, recording every second.
While the audience was caught in the trance of flashing lights and thumping bass, the judges were hard at work. In the background, they moved from one car to the next, clipboards in hand, their eyes squinting and scrutinising every detail—the craftsmanship of the bodywork, the luxury of the interiors, the innovation of the tech, and the durability promised by the engine builds. Each car was more than a vehicle—it was a statement. And the judges had to choose which one spoke loudest.
As Stepper’s final note rang out and she exited the stage with Lil Press waving to the crowd, the lights dimmed. The compere stepped onto the stage once more, his suit now glittering under the spotlight, holding an envelope that seemed to carry the fate of the night.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” he called out, his voice booming across the speakers. “Let’s make some noise one more time for all our contestants!”
The crowd erupted, a tide of applause and whistles echoing off the walls.
“Now,” the compere continued, “it’s time for what we’ve all been waiting for. Contestants, please take your places beside your vehicles. The judges are ready, and I’ve got the results right here in my hand.”
Tension blanketed the stage. Every contestant stood in silence. You could practically hear their heartbeats.
Anabel wrapped her arm tightly around Daniel, a clear show of support, her chin lifted with poise.
Rita and Jerry interlocked hands, fingers squeezed tight as though their grip could secure the outcome. Noel adjusted his collar, his eyes fixed on the judges’ panel with unwavering confidence. Anna exhaled slowly, her boots clicking softly as she moved closer to her car. Collins, still wearing his boyish grin, casually leaned on his golden yellow Bugatti, trying to mask his nerves with charm.The compere paused, smiling mischievously.
“I’m going to read the results from bottom to top. Let’s keep the suspense alive, shall we?” he teased, and the crowd answered with a cheer.
A hush fell again.
“Alright! In fifth place, give it up for… Collins!”
Applause rang out. The usherettes in glittery black uniforms surrounded Collins with a small medal and gestured him forward for photos.
Collins gave a slight bow and took it all in good humour, flashing his red-haired smile to the cameras. “Better a medal than none,” he chuckled, stepping onto the fifth place spot on the podium. “I’ll take this win to the bank.”
The compere nodded. “Let’s move on! In fourth place—the bold, the beautiful, the only female contestant in this year’s showcase—Anna!!”
The crowd rose again in ovation, louder this time. Some stood and whistled. Others clapped rhythmically.
Anna beamed. She hadn’t expected first place, but her heart was full. She proudly stepped forward, receiving her silver medal and a special “Trailblazer” sash for being the only woman in a male-dominated contest.
The judges, particularly Mrs. Jones, stood to shake her hand, a look of genuine respect on her face.
Anna turned to the audience, her eyes immediately finding her parents. Her mother was weeping into a handkerchief, and her father stood beside her, applauding proudly.
With her chin held high, Anna moved gracefully to stand beside Collins on the 5-tier winner’s platform, on the fourth step.
Three positions remained.
The tension only thickened.
Jerry felt it creeping into his chest—tight, constricting. He knew the next name would determine everything. If he came first, he’d finally shut everyone up. Finally prove he was the boss of the school.
The compere raised the mic again. “And now, for the third position…”
The crowd leaned in. Silence.
The compere’s lips curled slightly as he read the card.
“Jerry!”
A wave of murmurs and gasps rose before the applause.
Some were shocked—it had seemed like Jerry would at least come second. But many nodded in understanding. Noel's car was undeniably more expensive. Daniel's? A whole different level.
Jerry clenched his jaw briefly, but forced a smile as he and Rita stepped forward. The usher handed him a bronze trophy and an envelope.
“Congratulations, Jerry. You just won an all-expense paid vacation to the Maldives for you and your partner,” the compere said.
Rita clapped with extra enthusiasm, whispering “Maldives, baby,” into Jerry’s ear while kissing him on the cheek.
He laughed, stiffly, and accepted the trophy. His picture was taken, and he stood on the third step, his mind still swirling. Deep down, it was better than losing to John—who had yet to even show up.
Now, all eyes were on Daniel and Noel.
The compere called them to the centre of the stage. They walked with swagger, both confident, both used to attention. The stage lights caught every detail of their designer suits.
“Well, gentlemen,” the compere began, “you’ve both made it to the final two. How are we feeling?”
Daniel spoke first, his voice calm and arrogant. “I feel confident. I know what I brought. I built my car to win.”
Noel, smirking, replied, “Winning is a state of mind. This is fun, but trophy or not, I’m still the best.”
A girl in the front row yelled, “That’s my king!”
The compere chuckled. “Spoken like a true bad boy.”
Then… silence.
A drum roll began.
“Ladies and gentlemen… the moment we’ve waited for… The second place trophy for the 2025 Luxury Car Showcase goes to…”
The crowd began to chant, “N-O-E-L! N-O-E-L!”
The compere opened the envelope.
“NOEL!”
The crowd cheered, some in shock, some vindicated. Noel stepped forward with a smirk, accepted his silver trophy, and opened his envelope.
“You’ve won a fully-funded couples trip and a brand-new beach house in Malibu!” the compere announced.
Whistles exploded through the crowd.
Noel grinned, looked toward Anna, and winked. It was clear who he hoped to share that trip with.
And then it happened.
The music shifted.
Golden confetti rained from the ceiling.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the 2025 showcase—Daniel!!”
Daniel threw his hands in the air, the crowd bursting with roars of celebration. Anabel clung to him, screaming with joy, and kissed him so intensely that the compere had to yell “Okay, okay! PG-13, people!”
Daniel was handed a gold trophy, a gold medal, and a golden sash. His prize?
A luxury trip to three countries of his choice and a brand-new penthouse in New York City.
Anabel jumped into his arms. “I told you, baby! You’re the best!”
The photographers swarmed, taking pictures of Daniel, then of Noel, and finally capturing the full winner's podium from fifth to first.
But as the cheers carried on, two people weren’t cheering.
Jerry, on the third step, kept scanning the crowd. He felt something. A shadow.
“John is here,” he muttered to himself. “I know it.”
Noel, on the other side of the stage, seemed to echo that same suspicion. His eyes searched the dark corners of the auditorium.
Where was John?
Why hadn’t he participated?
Had he lost his confidence—or was he just waiting for the right time?
As the photographers clicked away and Daniel began delivering his thank-you speech, the crowd listened.
But Daniel didn't thank the judges. Or his company. Or even his girlfriend.
Instead, he turned toward the mic and said, “You know, it’s funny. There’s someone who should be here tonight. Someone who thinks he’s some kind of secret heir. But I guess when the pressure gets real, he runs.”
The audience murmured.
He was talking about John.
“And let this be a reminder,” Daniel said, raising his gold trophy, “real winners show up. Pretenders stay in the shadows.”
Cameras flashed. Whispers swirled.
But from the far back, where the shadows merged with the flashing lights, a quiet figure stood up and adjusted his suit.
He was done waiting.
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Chapter 48: The Art or the price
King rushed downstairs to check what caused such noise and was frightened by the scene his eyes saw.He was very over it that he almost collapsed. This was not his first time being in a scene like this, but he knew better than to get his hands this dirty againHe wondered how this kind of thing could happen even after all the security measures he put in place. King turned away from the scenes and took a deep breath He knew that this was an attack from the people who hated him, and he knew just how to handle them. He asked the compere to announce to everyone that everything was fine and it was just a mistake that happened between the staff The compere was still in a state of shock as everything happened right before his eyes, the fall and the landing of the body were all very new world to him King walked up to him and slapped him “Get a fucking hold of your self and give the announcement or you are going to serve lifetime imprisonment for murder, do you get me !” King said firmly t
Chapter 47: Blue Door or Pink Door
Stuck between a wall and a brick was the best way to describe John's current state. The two doors loomed before him like silent judges, each holding a future wrapped in mystery and risk. Behind one, a world he might thrive in. Behind the other, a trap he might never recover from. And yet, he had to choose.He wiped the sweat forming on his palms and stared ahead. The blue door was cold, almost intimidating. The pink door felt louder, more energetic. Neither seemed to call his name, yet both demanded an answer.Time was ticking.John closed his eyes. He saw his grandfather’s face, that weathered look of pride mixed with burden. That man had built an empire with nothing but grit and time. He had sent John here, not just to be tested, but to be shaped. And John could almost hear his voice now, low and calm, saying: “Go where the wisdom is. Go where the fire was first lit.”He opened his eyes.And chose the blue door.He didn’t rush. He walked with a quiet dignity that belied his internal
Chapter 46: Let the Games Begin
The grand auction hall buzzed with muted murmurs and low laughter as the attendees—all paragons of old money, tech tycoons, media moguls, oil barons, and aristocrats—moved to their assigned seats. Each person carried the air of untouchable wealth, their expressions stoic yet proud, as though being there was both a privilege and an expectation.John stood at the back of the room, ticket in hand, slowly growing uncomfortable.Everyone else had located their seats with ease. Each chair was marked clearly with the corresponding code found on the guest’s invitation. But John, despite scanning the rows twice over, found no chair bearing his number. His eyes flicked over the crowd, hoping perhaps someone had taken his seat by mistake. There was, however, one vacant chair left in the entire room—a plain, metallic seat near the door with no tag or designation.He hesitated.Somewhere in the shadows of the hall, King watched through a discreet surveillance feed, a glass of dark liquor in hand a
Chapter 45 : Main hall or Terrance view
“The young master is really lucky” Jamal said as he was pissed off by how John's grandfather interrupted their plan on listening to their conversation.Jamal had been a silent observer for years, listen to Agnes sides and also to the other enemies sides to know what is happening and to help him decide which side to be on when the time was right but both sides kept logging him off when he was so close to getting solid evidences to use as leverage and today was also one of those days.“I will try again until I see my path.” Jamal said as he consoled himself over a glass of scotch near his laptop.At John's room, the makeover crew was there to help him look his best while preparing for the auction event because it was an elite event only attended by people who had $500million and above as their networth.John was honoured to be attending such an important event and really looked forward to being acquainted with his grandfather’s ally.On his way to the auction party,there were a lot of s
Chapter 44: The Auction
The sun had begun to tilt westward, casting soft gold over the ranch when John and his grandfather walked quietly toward a shed near the estate’s private stadium. Compared to the lavish halls of the Raymond mansion, the shed was modest—wooden beams, earthy scent of hay, a faint scent of polish and leather—but it was functional and, oddly enough, warm in its simplicity. A small table sat between two well-worn chairs, and on it were two tall mugs and a jug of chilled beer that the chief butler had placed there just before leaving them in peace.John’s grandfather sighed as he lowered himself into one of the chairs, stretching his back slightly as though releasing the weight of old years. He glanced over to John and motioned toward the drink.“Sit, John. And tell me what’s bothering you.”John sat down heavily, his thoughts still turning over the last twenty-four hours. He reached for the mug in front of him and took a deep gulp, letting the cool bitterness settle the tightness in his ch
Chapter 43: Enemies Seen and Unseen
The gathering had ended, and the grand hall began to empty, but not without new performances unfolding behind every handshake and smile. John remained in the room longer than necessary, observing the board members now shedding their stiff, corporate masks and slipping into something more personal—strategic, even seductive.Several of them approached him with warm, congratulatory words and polished grins that didn’t quite reach their eyes. Hands were extended, pats on the back given generously. Some invited him to their exclusive lounges upstairs for a celebratory drink, casually hinting at “getting to know each other better.” Others, less subtle, handed him gift cards to expensive spas or offered free enrollment into elite professional development courses abroad.John accepted each gesture with the grace of a man who knew too well that most offerings had an undertone. He smiled, nodded, and said all the right things. But his mind wasn’t fooled. He knew what they were doing—testing him
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