“It would seem I won't be joining your ranks then.” Richard calmly remarked causing the elders in the chamber to frown.“Why do you say so?” One of them asked.Richard flashed a smile as he replied. “Because I see no benefits for me.”“You arrogant fool, do you think you can just come in here and say whatever you wish?.... Joining The Golden Circle is the greatest privilege any wealthy clan in Zion Empire would have the honor of obtaining, yet you dare say there are no benefits for you?... Do you not know how much low we have to go to accept you into our ranks?”“That's why I say there's no need. There's no need for you to lower your standards and there's no need for me to marry into any of your families to join. You see, I see no reason why I should join an organization that acts so stuck up with most of their members capable of cheating their own family if it were to gain some benefits.”“You bastard!... Do you think you are worthy to utter such words?”Richard chuckled. “Regardless

Richard woke up the next morning to an unexpected call from an unexpected number.It seemed become a routine now to be woken up by calls.“Hello.”[Richard Smith, I must say you put it quite the show yesterday. I was beyond impressed.]“I had a guess you were one of those that wished to bring me into the Circle, Mr. Dawson.”Vincent scoffed on the other end. [What do you think of me?... I specifically told you to stay away, so why would I want to invite you in now?]“Well the whole idea about marrying a daughter sounded like the kind of thing you'd come up with.”[Don't slander me so shamelessly boy!]“I tell no lies.”[Hmmph, regardless, you have to be careful going forward, Richard. Though your actions were warranted, the Golden Circle isn't an organization to be trifled with. We may be a branch but that does nothing to reduce how lethal they can be when pushed]“I couldn't show weakness, even if I knew that they were dangerous. You know, Vincent, just how badly it would have turned

Richard prepared to head over to the gym to get some exercise only for Maria to call him up just as he was done bathing.“Yeah, Maria?”[Sir, we have a problem.]“Maria, I feel like whenever you call me now, I should be expecting some form of bad news.”[Ah, sir, it's not like that. It's just…]“Don't worry, I'm just kidding,” Richard remarked with a chuckle.[Ah, sir.]“Alright, tell me, what's wrong?”[It's the proposed estate you asked to be built to accommodate the employees. The leader of the project informed me this morning that there was a slight hiccup and asked for assistance]“Is work still ongoing?”[Yes, but he says he might have to stop the work based on what's happening over there]“Hah, fine, I'll get there and see what the problem is.”[Thank you, sir]“It's the least I can do. Ah yes, help me draw up a plan for a security company. We would soon be having a subsidiary joining us. I'll forward you the benefits I've got planned for them and other needed details as well.”

Bruce glanced at Richard for a moment before bursting into laughter.Hunched over, he remarked. “You think you can beat me?... Are you a fool?” “It wouldn't be much of a competition if I didn't think that.” Richard calmly replied.Bruce sneered. “You have no sense to know your place. You may have done a few things here in this city but know that I've been around, I am known around the country compared to you who's acting like some local champion. Out there, you'd be nothing but a frog in a well, so you'd best know when to stay within your limits.”“Regardless, what happens if I win?” Richard pressed causing Bruce's expression to distort.“Fine then, since you won't listen, I'd be more than happy to entertain you. If you, by some miracle manage to beat me, then I'll do what I said you'd do if I win, happy now?”“Very,” Richard replied.Snorting derisively, Bruce got into his car and started the engine before glancing at Richard. “Aren't you getting in?”“Sure thing.”“Don't tell me yo

It didn't take long before Maria sent the list over with Richard quickly perusing its contents.The remaining investors for First City Bank were mostly foreign because the local ones were behind bars for one crime or the other which didn't surprise Richard at all.Birds of a feather flock together, after all.Regardless, he immediately reached out to each investor and after an extensive process, managed to get them to pause investments entering First City Bank on the condition that Richard would bring proof of fraud and embezzlement occurring in the bank.The first part was done, now it was time for the second.***Zach had seen it all, from people getting cheated out of their money to his superiors enjoying stealing what wasn't theirs to begin with.He'd initially thought that First City Bank was the place to be, which was why after his studies abroad, he'd returned to Intercity to apply for a position.Having studied Business Administration, he was quickly employed and the benefits