Becoming A Wrestler

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Jack took his place at the podium first, the murmurs of the crowd quieting as he began his speech. He spoke with the ease of a seasoned businessman, outlining the vision behind these malls, not just as shopping centers, but as hubs of everything into one place, blending retail, entertainment, and technology. A place where everyone could relax and also spend their time.

When it was Sandro's turn to step up, he felt the weight of the moment. Unlike his father, whose presence alone commanded respect, Sandro was still proving himself and his young face attracted the attention of everyone.

Taking a deep breath, he met the gaze of the audience. "Nexum Core has always prided itself on building the future. We don't just build businesses, we build experiences, communities, and opportunities. And this project is a reflection of that vision that Nexum Core holds dearly."

As he continued, he could see nods of approval, even from some of the more skeptical attendees in the crowd. It was a small victory, but a meaningful one.

By the time the ribbon cutting ceremony was complete, the event had been a success. Reporters swarmed for questions, and cameras followed their every move, but Sandro had learned long ago how to navigate moments like these, stay composed, and stay on message.

As they finally wrapped up, Jack clapped a hand on Sandro's shoulder. "You handled that well."

Taylor added with a rare smile, "Not bad. Maybe you do have the Zhang business instincts after all."

Sandro smirked. "Really Mom? Took you this long to figure that out? After everything I have suggested and proposed?"

Taylor chuckled, shaking her head. "Don't get too cocky, dear."

Jack, however, was already shifting his focus. "We'll need to review the financials for the first quarter projections. This project was a success, but we'll have to keep pushing forward."

Sandro nodded, knowing there was still much more work to be done.

As they returned to the Rolls-Royce, Sandro found his thoughts drifting back to April and Nicole. He wondered what they were doing back at the estate. Probably waiting to bombard him with questions.

He smiled to himself. One major event down, countless more ahead. But whatever came next, he was ready.

As the Rolls Royce pulled through the grand gates of the Zhang estate, Sandro exhaled, feeling the tension of the day starts to fade. The event had been a success, but his mind was already shifting to the next challenge, handling the inevitable fallout of his background now being fully public.

Henry, the family chauffeur, stepped out first, smoothly opening the door. Sandro exited first, stretching slightly as he stepped onto the driveway. Jack and Taylor followed, maintaining their usual composed demeanor. Despite their calm expressions, Sandro could tell that even they felt the magnitude of the day's events.

As they entered the house, the sound of a television broadcast drifted from the living room. The familiar voices of news anchors filled the space, their tone brimming with excitement.

"Today marks a historic moment as Nexum Core unveils five luxurious and modern malls across the country, a testament to the company's dominance in the commercial real estate industry. The grand opening, led by CEO and Chairman Jack Zhang and his wife, Taylor Zhang, was nothing short of a spectacle, drawing attention from both the business and entertainment sectors. But perhaps the most intriguing development of the day was the emergence of their son, Sandro Zhang, into the public spotlight…"

Sandro walked into the living room just in time to see his own face flash across the screen, standing at the podium from earlier. Seated on the couch, April and Nicole turned their heads toward him, their expressions a mix of amusement and mild shock.

"Well, look at that," Nicole said, smirking. "You're officially famous outside of wrestling now."

April grinned, nudging him playfully. "I mean, we always knew you were a big deal, but this? This is the next level."

Sandro groaned as he dropped onto the couch beside them. "Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up."

Taylor and Jack took their seats as well, watching with an air of detachment that only came from years of being in the public eye.

The segment continued, delving into the history of Nexum Core. The screen showed old footage of Jack from years ago, back when he was building his empire.

"Jack Zhang, owner of prominent resorts scattered across Florida, built Nexum Core from the ground up with his investment instincts, creating it into one of the most groundbreaking corporate entities in the country currently since its emergence a year ago. His wife, Taylor Zhang, a lawyer and owner of her own law firm, played a key role in the company's legal and strategic decisions. Together, they created a business empire unlike any other."

Then, the topic shifted.

"But perhaps the most surprising revelation of the day is the background of their only son, Sandro Zhang. At just 19 years old, he already holds degrees in both business and law, a feat that has earned him the title of a young prodigy. However, rather than immediately stepping into the corporate world, Sandro has chosen an unconventional path, professional wrestling."

The screen now showed footage from FCW, clips of Sandro wrestling in the ring, holding up the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship, and even a brief interview he had done in the past.

"This revelation has sparked widespread discussion in both business and entertainment circles. Why would the heir to billions of dollar empire choose to wrestle instead of taking his rightful place at the helm of Nexum Core?"

Nicole whistled. "Damn, they really went all in on you."

April grinned. "You're about to bring a whole new level of attention to FCW. Not just wrestling fans, business analysts, investors, maybe even people who've never cared about wrestling before."

Sandro sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yeah, that's what I'm worried about. I didn't want my background to overshadow what I'm doing in FCW."

Jack, who had been silent so far, finally spoke. "You knew this day would come. The moment you stepped into that ring, it was inevitable."

Taylor nodded. "And now, you have to decide how you're going to handle it. You can't just ignore it."

Sandro sat back, arms crossed, deep in thought. He knew his parents were right. Avoiding the topic wasn't an option anymore. FCW, WWE, and the wrestling world as a whole would be buzzing with this news. He'd have to be prepared for the conversations, the speculation, and the inevitable questions from both fans and reporters.

April leaned in. "You know, this could actually work in your favor."

Sandro raised an eyebrow. "How?"

Nicole smirked. "You've always wanted to push FCW forward, right? Make it bigger, better? Well, now you've got the eyes of a whole new audience on you. Use it. Control the narrative before someone else does. Heck maybe even create a brand new persona from this."

Sandro considered her words. She had a point. This wasn't just a problem, it was an opportunity presented right before his eyes.

Jack, ever the businessman, seemed to agree. "If you're smart about it, this could elevate both FCW and your personal brand. People will be watching you closely now. Make sure you give them something worth watching."

Taylor added, "And don't let them dictate your story. Own it dear."

Sandro nodded slowly. He had spent so much time trying to keep his two worlds separate, but maybe it was time to stop fighting it. Maybe it was time to embrace it on his own terms.

The rest of the evening passed with lighter conversation. Taylor, still in her rare cooking mood, insisted on preparing dinner, much to April and Nicole's delight. Sandro knew better than to question it, when Taylor Zhang decided on something, there was no changing her mind.

By the time the night wound down, April and Nicole were still teasing Sandro about his newfound fame.

"Better get used to cameras following you everywhere," Nicole joked as they stood outside their rooms.

April smirked. "And if anyone asks, just tell them you're too busy kicking ass in FCW to care."

Sandro chuckled, shaking his head. "You two are impossible."

They both grinned before heading into their rooms for the night.

As Sandro lay in bed, he stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. Today has changed everything. He wasn't just a wrestler anymore. He wasn't just the heir to Nexum Core. He was both, and the world knew it now.

Tomorrow, he would step into FCW with a different kind of spotlight on him. And whether he liked it or not, he had to be ready.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains of Sandro's room, waking him naturally. He blinked a few times, letting himself adjust to the brightness before stretching with a groggy sigh.

Today was going to be a long one. He had to head back to Tampa with April and Nicole, as tomorrow marked the start of another week in FCW. But now, with his background fully exposed, things were going to be different.

Pushing the thoughts aside, he got up and began packing his luggage. Clothes, ring gear, a few personal items, he moved methodically, though his mind wasn't entirely on the task. He had barely had time to process everything from yesterday, but there was no room to dwell. Life was moving forward, whether he was ready or not.

After zipping up his suitcase, he grabbed his phone and checked his notifications. Predictably, there were hundreds of messages, some from FCW colleagues, others from people he hadn't spoken to in years, all reacting to the news. He sighed, shaking his head before slipping the phone into his pocket. He'd deal with that later.

Leaving his room, he made his way downstairs, only to pause at the sound of laughter. It was coming from the living room. His instincts immediately told him his mother was up to something, and as he stepped into view, his suspicions were confirmed.

Taylor was sitting comfortably on the couch, a photo album open on her lap, showing pictures to April and Nicole, baby and childhood pictures. Of him, which he acted for his parents once in a while to make them happy.

Sandro instantly sighed, rubbing his temple. "Really, Mom?"

April and Nicole looked up at him, grinning like they had just uncovered treasure.

"This is gold," April said, holding back more laughter.

Nicole smirked. "Sandro, you were such a cute baby. What happened?"

Sandro groaned, walking over to see which pictures had been exposed. Sure enough, there was a shot of him as a toddler, barely dressed, holding a stuffed panda while pouting at the camera. Another showed him grinning after what appeared to be a cake disaster with icing all over his face. He wouldn't do this if he knew it would later come back to bite him in the ass.

"I knew I shouldn't have come downstairs," he muttered.

Taylor, amused, turned another page. "Oh, don't be dramatic. These are precious memories of you dear."

Sandro sighed but ultimately gave up fighting. His mother was always sentimental about family, and while it was embarrassing, he knew she meant well.

After a moment, he turned to April and Nicole. "You two packed already?"

They both nodded in unison.

"Yep," April said. "Unlike you, we don't procrastinate."

Sandro rolled his eyes. "I don't procrastinate, I just—"

Before he could finish, footsteps from upstairs signaled another arrival. Jack descended, buttoning the cufflinks on his tailored shirt, exuding his usual composed authority. He took a glance at the photo album and smirked slightly but didn't comment. Instead, he got straight to business.

"I canceled your flight tickets," Jack said smoothly, looking at the three of them. "Media and paparazzi attention is going to be on you now, Sandro. You won't be able to move through a public airport without causing a scene." Sandro sighed internally. He had anticipated this, but it still felt like another reminder of how different his life had become overnight.

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Name: Alessandro Zhang

Age: 19 (2009)

Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA

Brand: FCW

Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style

Faction: Dragon Boom (Tag Team)

Championship History: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions & 1 FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion