Episode 23. Facing the bullies.
In Episode 23, titled "Facing the Bullies," Alex
finds himself confronting a painful reality when he encounters Debbie nursing
her wounds. As Alex inquires about what happened, his anger rises. Debbie,
absorbed in cleaning her injuries, initially doesn't notice his arrival. When
she does, she tries to hide her face, but Alex gently pulls her hands away to
see the extent of her injuries. The sight of Debbie’s face, marred by cuts and
bruises, shocks him. With a heavy heart, Alex demands to know who is responsible.
Debbie hesitantly reveals that Madison Robbins and her friends are the
culprits, downplaying the severity of the bullying by saying they just nudged
her.
Determined to confront the bullies, Alex prepares to leave,
but Debbie quickly stops him. She explains that Madison has powerful friends,
and any retaliation would only worsen the situation for them both. Frustrated,
Alex questions how they can continue to let the bullies torment her, but Debbie
insists that avoiding them is the safest option. Touched by Debbie’s concern
for his safety even in her distress, Alex's resolve softens. He offers to take
her to the hospital, but Debbie resists, citing the expense. Unwilling to let
her suffer, Alex insists and accompanies her to the hospital, covering the bill
for her treatment.
After the hospital visit, Alex suggests taking Debbie out
for a meal. Debbie is hesitant, uncomfortable with the idea of dining somewhere
expensive, but Alex reassures her. They head to the Dahlia restaurant, where
Debbie feels out of place, but Alex's calm demeanor helps her relax. However,
their peace is shattered when Madison and her friends enter the restaurant.
Recognizing Debbie, Madison begins to taunt her. Madison and her friends mock
Debbie for dining at such a nice place, accusing her of misusing her
scholarship funds.
Madison escalates the situation by physically assaulting
Debbie, pulling her hair and threatening her. Debbie, not wanting Alex to see
her being beaten, pleads for mercy, which only amuses Madison and her friends
further. As the bullying continues, Alex returns from the restroom and sees
what's happening. He intervenes, standing up to Madison and her friends.
Madison, unafraid, mocks Alex and threatens to make Debbie’s life even more
miserable if he intervenes.
Three men from the Kappa Alpha Society, a powerful group
associated with Madison, arrive at the restaurant. They back Madison up, making
it clear that Alex is outmatched. Realizing that a confrontation could lead to
more harm for Debbie, Alex reluctantly decides to leave with her. As they exit,
Madison continues to taunt them, boasting about her influence and the power of
the Kappa Alpha Society.
Outside the restaurant, Alex asks Debbie about the Kappa
Alpha Society. She explains that it’s a powerful organization near their
school, which is why they can’t afford to antagonize Madison and her friends.
Alex is silent, but inwardly he resolves to find a way to protect Debbie and
make it clear that he won’t be easily intimidated.
Debbie then mentions her plan to move out of the dorms to avoid further bullying. She’s found a modest room off-campus, and while Alex agrees that moving is a good idea, he’s concerned about the room’s poor condition. Secretly, he plans to find a better place for her to live. The next day, Alex visits Washington Heights, an upscale neighborhood near their university. Deciding that he wants Debbie to live comfortably, he heads to the sales office of a luxurious residential area.
At the sales office, Alex meets Darla, the current manager,
known for her willingness to go to great lengths to make a sale. Despite Alex’s
unassuming appearance, he is determined to secure a safe and comfortable place
for Debbie. His resolve to protect and care for her drives him to take this
bold step, marking a significant turning point in his mission to shield her
from the bullies and provide a better future.
In summary, Episode 23, "Facing the Bullies," is a
powerful exploration of courage, empathy, and the lengths one will go to
protect those they care about. Alex’s unwavering support for Debbie and his
strategic approach to dealing with her tormentors highlight the complexities of
facing bullies and the importance of standing up for what is right.
Episode 24: 1 or 2 Luxury Villas
Alex sighed as he approached the desk in the high-end real
estate office. He accidentally bumped into a woman who had just entered.
"Ah! Watch out! Look what you did. You almost stepped on my new shoes. Can
you even afford a property from here? Seriously?" The woman, with short
brown hair, sunglasses, and a figure-hugging dress paired with high-heeled
crystal sandals, looked to be in her mid-thirties. Her exposed arms were pale
as snow. Behind her stood a man in jeans, a white vest, brown leather sandals,
and carrying a bag. "Don't waste your time talking to someone like that.
Baby. Let's go outside and take a look," he said.
Darla, the sales agent, quickly walked over and warmly
greeted the couple, then glanced at Alex with irritation. "Sorry you've
had a bad experience in our office," she said, addressing the woman.
"The people around here know this is a high-class residential area, so
some people who can't afford a house often come to our sales office to enjoy
the free air conditioning."
Alex, knowing she was referring to him, just smiled.
"So you think I can't afford a house? How much would it cost to buy the
whole residential area?"
Darla, sizing him up, replied, "Sir, the minimum price
for a house here is half a million dollars. I can tell from looking at you that
it's not something you can afford." She gestured towards the door, smiling
tightly.
"I'll take a look around. If there's a suitable
property, I'll buy it," Alex responded, walking over to the sales desk.
Darla's annoyance was evident. "You want to buy a property here?" she
demanded. "You're shameless for staying here just for the air
conditioning."
Ignoring Alex, Darla turned her attention back to the
couple. After about ten minutes of discussing various properties, the man
decided. "I'll take that villa," he said. "We've come here
several times, and that one always catches my eye."
"A great choice, sir. This villa is the most popular in
our district. It's 2,500 square feet with four bedrooms, spacious with good
lighting, very quiet surroundings, and close to the lake," Darla praised,
moving to the topic of payment. "This property costs $1.5 million. You'll
need to pay 30%, or $450,000, as a down payment."
The man was shocked. "So much? Your advertisement mentioned a lower price."
"Oh, that advertisement was from a few months ago.
These villas are selling quickly, so the price increased," Darla
explained. Seeing the man's shocked expression, her enthusiasm waned. She
realized they couldn't afford the villa. "Sir, a lot of people are
interested in this villa. If you really want it, you need to pay the deposit
today."
"Hubby, hurry up and find a way to get the money. I
really like this villa, and there's nothing else here I want. Didn't you say
living here would raise our status?" the woman urged.
"I'm trying to figure it out," the man responded,
looking at Darla. "I'll definitely buy this villa. Keep it for me; I'll
raise the money within ten days."
"I'm sorry, sir, but I don't have the authority to do
that," Darla replied, shaking her head.
The couple, desperate to improve their social standing and
benefit their business, began calling friends for loans.
"This villa is pretty good," Alex commented,
looking at the mansion's details. "I'll buy this villa."
The woman looked at Alex with malice. "You're buying
it? How could you?"
Darla didn't take Alex seriously, her opinion of him
worsening. "Sir, please leave. We have work to do."
"I want to buy a house. Why are you kicking me out? Do
you want me to file a complaint?" Alex replied angrily.
"Okay, you want to buy a house? This property is worth
$1.5 million. If you can pay for it, it's yours," Darla said impatiently,
not mentioning the down payment, certain Alex was bluffing.
Alex pulled out his First Republic card. "Can I pay
with this?"
The man sneered. "You think you can pay with a card? If
you really can, I'll kneel and call you sir."
"Let's give it a try," Alex said, handing the card
to Darla. She swiped it, expecting it to fail, but the machine confirmed the
$1.5 million transaction. Everyone was dumbfounded.
Realizing Alex's wealth, the staff's attitudes changed
dramatically. They offered him coffee and water, ignoring other customers.
"I apologize, sir. Let me tell you more about the
property," Darla said sweetly. "The villa you've bought is 2,500
square feet."
Alex, unimpressed, said, "Let's have a look. This house
isn't great, but it's better than the dormitory at school. I guess it'll do for
now."
The staff couldn't believe he was comparing a $1.5 million
villa to a dorm. "Wow, he's showing off," one said. Another added,
"He's exaggerating to look cool."
"I'm exaggerating?" Alex smiled. "I could buy
a nightclub just as easily."
"A nightclub costs $5 million. If you're that rich, why don't you buy the super luxurious villa in Emerald Heights?" a man challenged.
"Alright," Alex agreed without hesitation.
Darla, shocked, said, "That villa is $40 million, with
its own island, courtyard, swimming pool, and advanced internet. Are you
serious?"
Alex called his bank and transferred $40 million to the
Washington Heights account. When the transaction went through, everyone was in
disbelief.
The saleswomen, suddenly finding Alex irresistibly attractive, surrounded him, hoping to catch his interest. Alex, overwhelmed, squeezed through the crowd and quickly left the sales office.
Don’t forget supporting me by buying for me a coffee ☕️ from here https://bmc.link/audiobooksnook
Post a Comment