Richard and Melinda returned to Riverdale's capital that afternoon, leaving behind the contingent of armed fighters used to rebuff Quinton's attack on the Lopez to assist Anna in maintaining peace, utilizing a private jet to ensure time wasn't wasted.Lucia, as she had mentioned, was ready at the airport to receive them, a convoy prepared to ensure they were swiftly transported to the Ramirez Manor.“How is the situation here?” Richard inquired as he settled comfortably in the limo with Melinda seated beside him and Lucia across from him.Lucia replied. “Better than expected, after what happened before you left, the other Mafias have done well to not cross their boundaries, even paying tribute to avoid getting ripped apart.”“That would be best. I'd rather avoid getting into a fight with them to ensure the stability of the situation here in the capital.”“I agree. As for the enclave holding in two days, I've already begun to make preparations. I would like to know if I would be coming

Lumian Lafayette hadn't expected Richard to react so calmly to the situation.When he'd learned of Richard's survival, he intended to use this incident to gauge Richard's reaction.Did he know about the masterminds behind the attack?... And if he did, how would he react to seeing them trying to bully him mercilessly?A single word spoken out of turn would have doomed Richard to a sure attack from all members of the upper echelon.Surprisingly, he didn't react aggressively and was even calm enough to twist the sword in their direction.One wrong move and everything would go to shit and that was something Lumian needed to avoid.Even with the money he collected, Richard not only managed to get compensation for the insults and destruction of property, he got it to look like he was being magnanimous.“A dangerous opponent indeed.” Lumian thought to himself as he managed a fake smile to avoid revealing too much of what he had in mind.Meanwhile, Richard hardly cared for what the old geezer

Richard sighed before shoving Sergio aside after which he began to move in a different direction with Lucia.“You coward!... Run as much as you like but know that you will always remain a coward!”Richard finally paused in his step, Lucia's gaze on him as she seemed inclined to do whatever he wanted.Sergio grinned from ear to ear knowing he'd done well in ensuring Richard's disgrace at the party with several already looking upon Richard as a coward, instead of the deadly man the Golden Band was proclaiming him to be.What Reaper?... He was just a pathetic fool parading as a great man.As Sergio prepared to say even more slandering things, Richard turned to face him and most reasonably, took off his suit jacket and handed it to Lucia who calmly took it.Then he took off his tie which Lucia took as well, then he unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them before finally adjusting his hairstyle.Sergio immediately realized what he wished to do and so, didn't hesitate to reach for the spirit

“You are here,” Lumian muttered as he watched Marco close the distance to take a seat across from him.“Your plan failed.” Marco began harshly. “I had told you. Man that could do what Richard Smith had done wouldn't be so easy to defeat. You insisted on continuing with your little games. Now where has it led us?”“It would have worked.”“But it didn't. I'm not here to speak about what would have happened. I'm here to speak about what can happen.”“Destroying such a special specimen would be a monumental loss!”“But allowing it to grow under anyone but us would lead to losses as well. I am not willing to take that chance so though regretful, Richard Smith must die.”“Damn it.”“Why are you acting so caring now?... Hadn't you also placed a bounty on his head with the Hitmen?”“That was for capture, not killing. Richard Smith is a treasure that must be owned.”“I have heard enough of your nonsense. My men are in position. I expect to see you make a move when the time is right.”With tha

The next hitman to rush in was a woman.Confronted with the room covered in sleeping gas, she was quick to react, utilizing a nose mask to protect herself as she looked around the sitting room to find no one there.Then she turned her attention to the bedroom and rushed over, intending a sneak attack only for the door to swing open and the muzzle of a gun to aim at her head.BangLucia didn't hesitate to shoot, her eyes glowing with rage at what she felt was the most humiliating point of her life.She was faced with death and if not for Richard, she would have died.She could blame him for the current situation considering the enemy was after him but she didn't dare to even think like that.What she had in mind now was ensuring those who dared to block the path Richard wished to take would be met with hot lead from the gun she held.Just then, yet another grenade was tossed into the sitting room through the broken window but this time it wasn't a smoke bomb but was an actual grenade.