C4 Mocking Royse

Axel glanced at his phone and saw the phrase "Royse is a green-haired turtle" was trending with great impact. Pleased, he announced, "Everyone, enjoy your food and drinks. Emmie and I are going to rest up at the hotel and then head over. Is Royse around? Come and join us, won't you?"

"Yeah, Royse, don't be a stranger," chimed in Emmie. "You're not quite in Axel's league, you know."

Fuming, Royse shot back, "I'm on my way!"

Exiting the campus, Royse positioned himself at the roadside to hail a cab. A red Chevrolet pulled up beside him. The license plate seemed familiar, and sure enough, when the window rolled down, there was Tracy, all smiles.

"Mr. Stewart, fancy running into you again," Tracy beamed from inside the car.

Royse was at a loss for words. Twice in one day she'd said the same thing. Didn't she ever tire of it?

"Are you following me?" he asked bluntly.

Gone was the notorious Rubbish Prince who everyone shunned. Royse was now worth billions, and Tracy was privy to this fact.

Wealth could inspire envy and even madness.

She was definitely tailing him for a reason.

Tracy started to explain, but Royse cut her off, "Just state your purpose."

Caught off guard by his directness, Tracy hesitated, then seemed to come to a decision. "It's quite straightforward. Mr. Stewart, you have money; I need money. I'd like to borrow some from you."

Royse raised an eyebrow. "I do have money, but why should I lend it to you?"

"My father's ill and needs six million for his treatment. I'll do anything if you help me," Tracy's voice wavered, her eyes reddening with emotion.

"I mean it—I'll do anything. If you take a liking to me, I'll stay by your side," she added.

Royse stroked his chin, contemplating. Money was indeed a powerful force, capable of saving or destroying lives. Tracy was ready to cast aside her dignity to save her father.

After a moment's thought, he realized that saving a life was paramount. Besides, he could easily spare the cash.

He said, "I can lend you the money, but not right now. If it's not urgent, come with me to take care of something else first."

Tracy's face lit up with joy when Royse agreed.

"Mr. Stewart, where to? I'll drive you," she said, even changing the way she addressed him.

The gathering was at Minston's only five-star establishment, the Stars Hotel.

Situated in the heart of Minston, the hotel dominated the skyline with its 99-story skyscraper.

Inside the private room where Royse's classmates were gathered, the party was in full swing.

Axel and Emmie had just made their entrance.

"A toast to Axel for today's hospitality!" they cheered.

"We're all classmates here; no need for formalities. You're in Emmie's class, so I'm counting on you to look out for her," Axel said.

"That's the least we can do," came the reply.

Axel, with a smug grin, downed the wine offered in his honor and scanned the room. "Where's Royse? Wasn't he supposed to show up?"

"Why worry about him? We're all having a great time. His presence would only dampen the mood."

"No, that won't do. Royse is Emmie's ex-boyfriend, and since we're all here, it's only right that he comes so I can thank him for looking after Emmie." Axel's words were of gratitude, but his expression was one of arrogance.

Clearly, he was itching for Royse to arrive just to embarrass him publicly.

Just then, the private room door swung open, and in strode Royse, head held high and full of confidence.

To everyone's astonishment, Royse was not alone; he was accompanied by a woman whose beauty was on par with Emmie's!

Seeing her cling to Royse's arm so intimately, it was clear to all that their relationship was special.

Silence enveloped the room as everyone realized that this was the showdown between Axel and Royse.

Axel rose to his feet, giving Royse a disdainful once-over.

Royse, unfazed, met his gaze with equal intensity, and a palpable tension filled the room.

Yet, this standoff didn't distract the others from covertly appraising the two women who had sparked the conflict.

If Emmie's looks scored an eight out of ten, the same could be said for her figure and complexion.

Tracy, who arrived with Royse, set the bar high with her nine-point standard, effortlessly eclipsing the birthday girl, Emmie, in every aspect.

Truth be told, Emmie looked stunning today in a Chanel dress, Prada diamond-studded heels, and her hair adorned with crystal hairpins, shining like a princess.

Tracy, on the other hand, was dressed in a simple, off-brand casual outfit. Yet, her innate elegance radiated so brightly that Emmie's finery paled in comparison.

Axel and Royse exchanged glances before Axel broke into a grin. "Royse, glad you could make it. You know the drill; you're late, so you owe us three drinks."

He reached for a glass and poured it full of white liquor.

"Absolutely! Three drinks for you!"

Royse, unfazed, found an empty chair and gestured for Tracy to sit next to him.

When the crowd urged Royse to drink, Tracy chuckled and intervened, "Mr. Stewart has other commitments tonight. I'll drink on his behalf."

Already more captivating than Emmie, Tracy's voice was a blend of innocence and allure, instantly softening the hearts of all the men present.

Everyone was curious about how Royse had come across such an exquisite beauty.

Axel, irked by Royse's refusal to drink, couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy and desire as he eyed the bewitching Tracy.

"Royse, letting a lady drink for you? That's a bit cowardly. But since she's offered, let's compromise: you drink two glasses, and she drinks one."

Emmie, seated next to Axel, had become invisible the moment Royse walked in with Tracy.

Already feeling slighted, Emmie's irritation grew as she caught Axel's sleazy gaze. She knew exactly what was on his mind.

Her anger flared as she confronted Royse, "Royse, you really have a way with timing. You've just broken up with me, and here you are with a stunning woman in tow. Were you so worried about being the butt of the joke at the party that you hired someone to save face?"

Emmie shot Tracy a look and added, "She's quite the catch, isn't she? I bet you spent every last cent of your 'Rubbish Prince' fortune to bring her here, right?"