RICHARD's POV The marble floors of the courthouse echoed under my shoes as I walked towards courtroom 408, a battleground where my integrity was on trial. My lawyers, a team as polished as the briefcases they carried, surrounded me, whispering last-minute strategies and adjustments. I felt like a gladiator armed for an uncertain fight."Remember, Richard, steady and calm. Let's let the facts speak for themselves," whispered Sarah, my lead attorney, her voice a soothing balm amidst the storm brewing. The doors to the courtroom swung open, revealing a room brimming with anticipation. I could feel the eyes on me, some curious, some judgmental. At the plaintiff's table sat Amelia, her face an unreadable mask, flanked by her grandmother, Grandma White, whose eyes bore into me like daggers. The sight of them, steeped in their deceit, tightened my chest with a cocktail of anger and betrayal. Judge Martinez called the room to order with a stern bang of her gavel. "We are here to address th
RICHARD'S POV The sleek glass doors of the Council building slid open with a whisper, ushering me to the stark modernity of it's lobby. I was here, physically present for the meeting with the business development council, but mentally, I was miles away in a courtroom waiting for a verdict on a case that would have ended my life.The council building was silent except for the low hum of the air conditioning, but the noise inside my head was deafening. Today, they would deliver James’s verdict, the man who had slept with my ex-wife and had made an attempt on my life. I should have been at the courthouse, watching justice being served, but duty had me chained.As I approached the private elevator, my phone buzzed insistently. It was Jenny, my assistant, and given the timing, I knew it wasn't a reminder about the meeting. My pulse quickened as I swiped to answer."Richard, I have news," Jenny's voice came through, tinged with an indefinable emotion. "Tell me," I said, bracing myself ag
RICHARD'S POV A jolt of disbelief surged through the room. It was Like watching dominoes topple; one by one, the businessmen who had once mocked me stood up, their faces contorted in shock and indignation. "This has to be a mistake!" Mr. Clarkson, always the ringleader, barked, his eyes bulging slightly as he pointed an accusatory finger at the council. "You need to recheck those results!" Marianne, unflinching, adjusted her glasses with a calm that bordered on cold, and replied without a hint of doubt in her voice. "The results stand as announced. We have thoroughly vetted all proposals, and it's clear that Richard's idea will bring substantial revenue and new businesses to our city. Unfortunately, your submission did not meet the same standards." "But this is absurd!" another one of the men chimed in. "He's just a small-time player. How can his idea be better than ours? You need to double-check those results!" Their protests grew louder, but so did the firmness in Marianne's to
RICHARD'S POVThe morning after the unsettling discovery of the photographs, I was greeted by an unexpected but entirely welcome notification on my phone. The message was from the ultra-billionaire system."Congratulations, Richard. You have been granted $5 million to enhance your business ventures. Spend this to unlock a new skill point." A smile tugged at my lips. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. With threats looming and projects expanding, this was the windfall I needed. But it wasn't just about the money; it was the skill point that intrigued me most. The ability to acquire a new skill could be a game-changer.I sat at my desk, the morning light casting long shadows across the room, and dialed Jenny, my assistant who had proven herself indispensable time and again. "Good morning, Richard. What's on the agenda today?" Jenny's voice was crisp, the sound of someone who thrived on efficiency. "Morning, Jenny. I need you to transfer all files related to my partnership wit
RICHARD'S POVTension crackled in the air Like the sizzle of hot oil. The stainless steel counters reflected not only the bright overhead lights but also the high stakes of the competition laid out before us. I stood at my station, a collection of ingredients lined up like soldiers ready for battle. Across from me, Chef Baptiste was a picture of concentrated arrogance, his knives laid out with surgical precision.I could feel the skeptical glares burning into my back. Just hours ago, I had made a secret purchase from the Ultra-billionaire system—a comprehensive set of elite cooking skills. It felt like cheating, but in this cutthroat world, I needed every advantage. I tied my apron, the murmur of the staff around me was impossible to ignore. “That’s the guy? He doesn’t look like he’s ever held a knife properly,” sneered a sous chef as he expertly diced vegetables. “Must be one of those rich brats who thinks cooking is just another plaything,” another chimed in, her voice dripping wit
RICHARD'S POVChef Baptiste was still on his knees, his pride crumbling like a poorly baked soufflé. The room was a mix of hushed whispers and stifled chuckles, the energy shifting between sympathy and disbelief."Please, Richard. I—I can do better. Just give me another chance," Baptiste pleaded, his voice breaking under the strain. This was my moment of triumph, and I wasn't about to let it slip away. But as he pleaded with me, desperation etched into every line of his face, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. It was time to put an end to this charade."Enough," I said firmly, my voice cutting through the air like a knife. "You've had your chance. Now leave. I believe the stipulation was clear enough from the start."But to my surprise, instead of obeying my command, the chef began to laugh—a low, mocking sound that grated on my nerves. I narrowed my eyes, my patience wearing thin. Did he truly think this was a laughing matter?"What's so funny?" I demanded, my tone lace
RICHARD'S POV Walking out of the kitchen, I felt a mix of elation and anxiety. I had proven myself in this fierce arena, not just as a boss but as a chef. The road ahead would be challenging, but tonight, I had earned something invaluable- their respect and, unexpectedly, my own passion for cooking. By the time I got home, exhaustion clawed at my body, but a triumphant grin was plastered across my face as I flopped onto my bed. It had been a monumental day, not just in terms of business, but personally. I'd finally put Chef Baptiste in his place after his unwarranted arrogance and disrespect towards me. The thought alone had me chuckling into the soft pillow. Just as I was about to drift into sleep, my phone lit up with an incoming email notification. I groaned inwardly, knowing it was probably just another boring reminder or update. However, as I read the sender's name—Jenny, my personal assistant—a spark of alertness surged through me. The meeting with Rhodes Inc. tomorrow mornin
RICHARD'S POVMy mind raced, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over me like a heavy fog."Henderson," I began, my voice steady but tinged with concern, "can you provide me with a list of all the parties involved in this bidding process?"Henderson raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Of course, Richard," he replied, reaching for a folder on his desk. "But may I ask why?"I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. "I need to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest," I explained carefully. "I want to make sure that we're approaching this project with caution."The paper felt heavy as it slid across his glossy table, the names typed in a stark, impersonal font. My eyes widened, catching on two familiar names—Jonathan and William, my stepbrothers. I felt a surge of anger rising within me. I knew them—they would stop at nothing to get what they wanted, even if it meant playing dirty. The room suddenly felt colder, the air thic