RICHARD'S POVThe waiting hall buzzed with a mix of tension and anticipation as we, the aspirants, sat there, clutching our forms. The air was thick with expectation, and the murmur of whispered conversations filled the room. I'd been through many nerve-wracking moments in my life, but this was different. This was the beginning of a new chapter, one I wasn't entirely sure I'd survive. The officials processed our forms with commendable efficiency. One by one, they called out names, and we approached the desk to complete our initial registration. My heart pounded in my chest as I waited. I glanced around, taking in the expressions of the other aspirants. Some wore masks of confidence, while others, like me, betrayed a hint of nervousness. Finally, my name was called. I stepped forward, handed over my form, and watched as the official stamped it with a satisfying thud. The initial registration was done, but the real test was yet to come. We were ushered into another room where the crit

RICHARD'S POVI leaned back in my chair, the remote clutched in my hand like a lifeline. The news anchor’s voice droned on about local politics, but my focus was squarely on the screen. Any minute now, they would show the interview which the news anchor had just mentioned. Amelia’s interview. I knew it was coming, and I knew Gregory would use her against me. Still, the anticipation gnawed at my nerves.I exhaled slowly, trying to steady my breath. The camera cut to a shot of Amelia, her eyes wide and innocent, her lips painted in a demure pink. She looked every bit the part of the victim. I could almost hear Gregory’s coaching in her practiced pauses and the subtle quiver in her voice. “Thank you for speaking with us today, Amelia,” the reporter began, her tone sympathetic, almost conspiratorial. “Can you tell us about your experience with Richard?” Amelia took a deep breath, her eyes glistening as if she were holding back tears. “Richard was never the man he appeared to be,” Amelia

RICHARD'S POVGregory glared at me, his eyes burning with hatred. For a moment, I thought he might actually try to attack me, but he seemed to realize it would only make things worse.The tension in the room dissipated, replaced by a sense of anticipation. Mayor Thompson cleared his throat and addressed the crowd once more. "Let's proceed with the election, shall we? The electronic voting machines are ready." People began to line up, eager to cast their votes. I watched as the first voters approached the machines, their faces lighting up with curiosity and satisfaction as they used the new system. The room buzzed with excitement, the air thick with the promise of change.As the votes were tallied, it became clear that the new system was a success. There was no room for doubt, no possibility of tampering. For the first time in a long time, the election felt truly fair. My heart pounded like a wild drum, each beat a reminder of the stakes. I stood among the crowd of aspirants, my eyes

RICHARD'S POV The sun was barely up when Jenny shuffled into the kitchen, her hair tousled and her eyes still heavy with sleep. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of frying bacon, waking me up more effectively than my alarm ever could. "Morning, sunshine," I greeted, sliding into a chair at the kitchen island. "Morning," she mumbled, her voice muffled by a yawn. "Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes." I watched her move around the kitchen, marveling at how effortless she made it all seem. Despite the chaos of the past few days, she brought a sense of normalcy that I desperately needed. Before I knew it, she set a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me, a broad smile forming her lips. “Eat up.” "This looks amazing, thank you, Jen. You didn't have to do this," I said, taking a bite and savoring the deliciously crispy bacon. "Well, someone has to keep you fed," she replied with a wink. "What's the plan for today?" "I need to find a new pla

RICHARD'S POVWe'd barely had time to settle into the new surroundings when Senator Jonas' first son, Alexander, started flirting with Jenny. And I had noticed his intentions right away. His eyes were those of a predator, scanning Jenny like she was a prize to be won. It irked me, especially since he had just met her that day.As the dinner went on, I watched Alexander closely. His charm was undeniable, but there was an undercurrent of arrogance that grated on my nerves. He monopolized Jenny's attention, steering the conversation back to himself at every opportunity. Whenever she tried to include me, he would subtly shift her focus back to him. "Jenny, have you tried the hors d'oeuvres?" Alexander asked, offering her a plate. "The chef here is world-class." "They Look delicious!" she replied, taking a bite and smiling. "You have such good taste, Alexander." "I like to think so," he said, his eyes flicking to me briefly. "It's important to appreciate the finer things in life." I bi