RICHARD’S POVI was cruising back into the city after our trip to Las Vegas, feeling pretty damn good about myself. Winning that blackjack game was one thing, but knowing I was a few steps away from inheriting my father’s fortune was a whole different level of satisfaction. I was already imagining the day I’d cut my brothers out of the inheritance and make them pay for everything they’d done. They’d be left with nothing, while I took it all. It was going to be sweet.I’d decided to pick up a few things for my mother. I figured, why not show a little love while I’m at it? But when I got to the local market, I was met with a big fat nothing. The place was a ghost town, with remnants of what used to be a market now just piles of rubble and debris. “Well, this is great,” I muttered to myself. “Now what?”I remembered hearing about a smaller, rural part of the city that might still have something. Figured it was worth a shot. I headed there, but as I drove through the area, something caug
RICHARD'S POVI hadn't expected them to come at me so quickly, but there we were. Three thugs immediately rushed in, trying to surround me. They didn’t realize who they were messing with. As the first one swung his fist toward me, I caught it mid-air, twisted his arm back, and heard a satisfying *snap*. He screamed, and before he even hit the ground, I was already moving on to the next guy.Another thug lunged at me with a rusty metal pipe, swinging wildly. I dodged to the left, grabbed his arm, and slammed my elbow into his face. The crunch of his nose breaking under my elbow was almost as loud as his scream. I threw him to the ground like a sack of potatoes.The third guy, a bulky dude with tattoos covering his arms, charged at me like a bull. I sidestepped him, kicked the back of his knee, and he fell forward. Before he knew what was happening, I grabbed his head and smashed it into my knee. He was out cold.“Are you guys seriously this bad?” I shouted, looking around at the mess.
RICHARD’S POV My tires screeched as I pulled up to my father’s house. I didn’t even bother to park straight. I was out of the car before the engine shut off, slamming the door so hard it echoed through the quiet neighborhood. My blood was boiling, my fists clenched so tight I could feel my nails digging into my palms.As I stormed through the front gate, I spotted Jonathan in the garden, lounging on a chair like he didn’t have a care in the world. I saw red. Without a second thought, I charged at him. “Richard? What—” was all he managed to get out before my fist connected with his jaw. The sound of the impact was like music to my ears. I didn’t give him a chance to recover. I punched him again, right in the nose, feeling the crunch of bone under my knuckles.“Are you out of your goddamn mind?!” I shouted, my voice echoing in the open garden. “What the hell were you thinking, huh?!” Jonathan tried to shield his face, but I wasn’t letting up. I hit him again and again, each punch mor
RICHARD’S POVI arrived at Chairman Dennis’s grand mansion, flowers in one hand and a fancy gift box in the other. I took a deep breath, trying to push down the nerves gnawing at my stomach. For some reason, facing the chairman was more nerve-wracking than going up against those thugs.The butler let me in, and I was immediately hit with the smell of rich mahogany and fresh lilies. The place screamed wealth, but not in an obnoxious way—more like an old-money vibe. I followed the butler down the hall, my shoes sinking into the plush carpet.We reached the drawing room, and Chairman Dennis was standing by the window, looking out over his perfectly manicured lawn. When he saw me, his face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Richard! My boy! Come in, come in!”I stepped inside, offering him the flowers and the gift box. “Good afternoon, Chairman. These are for you and Cathy. Just a little something to say thank you for… well, everything.”He took the flowers and sniffed them, a broad
RICHARD’S POV I slumped against the cold, sterile wall, feeling like the wind had been knocked out of me. Tears poured down my face, my vision blurring as I tried to process the news. An hour ago, he was alive. Breathing. Yelling at me for the same crap he always did. Now, he was gone. Just like that. Jonathan’s voice cut through the fog in my head, sharp and panicked. “Are you sure he’s dead?” He was talking to the doctor, his voice breaking. “Isn’t there anything you can do?”The doctor looked at him with that same tired, pitying expression. “I’m sorry. We did everything we could.”I knew my brothers were guilty, and I could see it all over their faces. William was shaking his head, staring at the floor, his lips moving as if he was muttering something to himself. Jonathan looked like he was in shock, his mouth hanging open, eyes wide.They knew. They fucking knew.My heart pounded in my chest, a rush of blood surging through me like a dam had just burst. I didn’t even think—I jus
RICHARD’S POV Jonathan and William were on their feet, shouting like lunatics. “What the hell are you talking about?” Jonathan yelled, his face red and contorted with rage. “You must be out of your mind! There’s no way Dad would leave everything to Richard!” William was right behind him, eyes blazing. “This is bullshit! You’re lying! There’s no way he’d do that. He’d never cut us out like this!” Mr. Harding raised his hands, trying to calm them down. “Gentlemen, please—” “No, we’re not calming down!” Jonathan screamed. “This is a joke! Richard’s just a—” “Don’t you fucking say it,” I warned, stepping toward him. “I dare you.” Jonathan glared at me, chest heaving with every angry breath. “You’re just a bastard! You don’t deserve any of this!” I clenched my fists, trying to keep my temper in check. “Say what you want, but Dad’s will is clear. He made his choice.” William shook his head, practically vibrating with fury. “No, he didn’t. There’s no way. You must have done
I stepped closer, my voice low and icy. “Watch your mouth. I’m not asking for your respect, but you will do as I say. Otherwise, you’ll find out exactly how serious I am.” William’s eyes narrowed. “You’re going to regret this.” “I doubt it,” I shot back. “Now, get your stuff and get out. The clock’s ticking.” Mr. Harding watched with a resigned expression. “I suggest you listen to him. It’s not worth the fight.” Jonathan’s and William’s faces twisted with rage. Jonathan lunged forward, his hand gripping a knife with a crazed look in his eyes. I barely had time to react. The lawyer jumped in front of me, trying to wrestle the knife out of Jonathan’s hand. I joined in, pushing and shoving, the adrenaline pumping through me like a freight train. “Stay the hell away from me!” Jonathan screamed, trying to slash at us. “You can’t do this!” “Shut up and drop the knife!” I shouted, my voice tight with anger. After a tense struggle, the lawyer managed to knock the knife from Jonathan
RICHARD’S POVThe moment I pulled up to my mother’s house, I saw them—reporters. They swarmed the entrance like vultures, cameras flashing, microphones shoved forward, desperate to catch a piece of my misery. I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white. The last thing I needed right now was to face a barrage of questions, but there was no way around it.“Mr. Richard! Any comments on your father’s passing?” one shouted as soon as I stepped out of the car.“Mr. Richard, what’s next for the family business?” another called out.“Can you give us a statement?”I pushed through them, barely acknowledging their existence. I wasn’t in the mood to entertain their relentless probing. They didn’t care about me, about my father—they just wanted a headline. I felt a headache starting to pound behind my eyes as I finally reached the door, slamming it shut behind me.Inside, the house was quieter, but only slightly. I immediately noticed Amelia standing near the window, her face soft wit