**Richard’s POV**After a long day, I finally got home, and the first thing I did was call Mom. “Guess what, Mom? I won the horse-riding challenge against Quinn!”“That’s wonderful news, Richard.” Her eyes lit up, and she managed a tired but genuine smile. “I knew you could do it,” she said softly. “I’m so proud of you.”I grinned, feeling a mix of pride and relief. “Thanks, Mom. I couldn’t have done it without you.”It felt good to see her so happy, especially after everything we’d been through. Just as I was settling in, my phone buzzed with a message from Chairman Dennis, inviting me to dinner at his villa. I raised an eyebrow, surprised but curious. I accepted without hesitation.The chance to unwind and maybe smooth things over with everyone was too good to pass up.Later that evening, I found myself heading out to honor the dinner invitation. Dressed in a sharp suit, I drove to the chairman’s villa, which was as grand as ever.The butler greeted me at the door, his expression a
**Richard’s POV**The next morning, I got a call from Dad. He was in one of his “let’s make it interesting” moods. “Richard, come by the villa. We need to have a little chat.”I knew what that meant: another round of “you’re doing great, but let’s see how you handle this.” I showed up promptly, precisely at my father's study, and there they were—Dad, Jonathan, and William. I was expecting the usual banter, but today, I felt different.“Ah, Richard,” Dad said as I walked in. “Glad you could make it. Have a seat.”I took my usual spot, trying to suppress my smirk. I knew today’s news would rile up my stepbrothers. Dad cleared his throat. “So, I wanted to let you all know how things are going. Richard here is still ahead, as usual.”Jonathan and William’s faces turned a few shades redder. Jonathan’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, really? Can’t you just give it a rest?”“Relax, Jonathan,” Dad said. “This is just how it is. You guys have had your chances.”William scowled. “Yeah, and every time Rich
RICHARD’S POVThe evening of the bidding event arrived, and as I drove up to the venue, I couldn’t help but notice the sea of luxury cars lined up outside. Ferraris, Lamborghinis, you name it. It was like a parade of wealth, and it was clear that this was not your average event.I parked my car and made my way inside, feeling the buzz of excitement in the air. The place was abuzz with chatter and the clinking of glasses. I was weaving through the crowd when I bumped into someone unexpectedly—Cathy.“Richard! Fancy seeing you here,” she said, flashing a bright smile.“Cathy,” I replied, smiling back. “I didn’t expect to run into you.”“Well, my father is the chairman of this event,” she said, almost with a hint of pride. “He sent me to supervise things and make sure everything runs smoothly.”“That’s a big responsibility,” I said. “So, are you enjoying the role?”“Absolutely,” she said, her eyes scanning the crowd. “And are you here to bid on the painting?”“Yep, that’s the plan,” I sa
RICHARD’S POV The room buzzed with excitement as the MC stepped up to the microphone. His voice cut through the chatter, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight’s event! We’re here for a truly special piece—a painting by the renowned artist Banksy. Owning this masterpiece will not only grant you prestige but cement your legacy in this city.” The lights dimmed slightly, and a spotlight illuminated the painting. It was a striking piece, bold and thought-provoking, exactly what you’d expect from Banksy. I could feel the energy in the room shift as everyone’s attention focused on the artwork. The MC cleared his throat. “We’ll start the bidding at one million dollars.” The room erupted as paddles shot up from all corners. I raised mine, ready to play my part. Jonathan and William were already in the thick of it, their faces set in determined expressions. And then there were the other big players—top businessmen who didn’t mind throwing around their cash. The bids climbed quickl
I walked up to collect the painting, trying to ignore the envious glances and murmurs around me. As I reached the front, I could hear the businessman muttering curses under his breath. I met his gaze and gave him a nod, savoring the moment. “Congratulations,” the auctioneer said, shaking my hand. “You’ve made quite an impression.” “Thanks,” I replied, trying to keep my tone humble. “I just came here to make a statement.” When the room settled, people began to mingle and chat. I was basking in the afterglow of victory when my brothers stormed over. Jonathan’s face was a storm cloud, and William was right beside him, his fists clenched. “Richard!” Jonathan’s voice was sharp. “You think you can just waltz in here and steal the show?” “Steal?” I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “I outbid everyone fair and square.” William’s eyes narrowed. “You’re a thief. You’re a poor, illegitimate son who somehow manages to pull thirty million dollars out of nowhere. Where the hell did
RICHARD'S POVI walked into my father’s house, already hearing the yelling from the hallway. Jonathan and William were at it again, their voices carrying through the walls. I couldn’t help but smirk as I approached the study.“You can’t be serious, Dad!” Jonathan’s voice was heated. “This is rigged! Richard’s just an illegitimate son. How is it fair to make us compete with him?”William chimed in, his frustration clear. “Yeah, and you’re saying we have to deal with these impossible tasks while Richard gets a free pass? It’s not right.”My father’s response was calm, almost too calm. “If you’re unhappy with the tasks, there’s a simple solution: hand over your inheritance to Richard.”Jonathan and William were livid. “Are you kidding me?” Jonathan shouted. “You think we’d just roll over and let him take everything? This is bullshit!”William’s face was red with anger. “You’re making us compete against someone who’s not even your legitimate child! How is that fair?”I leaned against the
RICHARD’S POV Breakfast was usually my time to zone out. I had the news on in the background, just to drown out the quiet. But this morning, as I shoveled scrambled eggs into my mouth, the news anchor's voice cut through my haze.“Today, we’re covering the ongoing challenge from the city’s most famous chess prodigy, Victor Tusk. Tusk has remained unbeaten for five years, and now, there’s a chance for anyone who thinks they can outplay him to make history.”I nearly choked on my coffee. “Victor Tusk? Seriously?” I muttered, staring at the screen.The camera zoomed in on Tusk, a smug grin plastered across his face as he accepted a trophy. He looked like he was one short step away from claiming he was the messiah of chess. The whole thing was a spectacle, but something clicked in my mind. This was the challenge I needed.“Damn, that’s interesting,” I said, setting my coffee cup down with a decisive clink. My mind raced. This was exactly the kind of public challenge I needed. A chess pr
RICHARD’S POVI’d just gotten home and was kicking back when my phone rang. Amelia’s name popped up on the screen, and I answered with a casual, “Hey, Amelia.”“Richard, I just saw the announcement on TV! You really went big with this challenge, huh?” Her voice was a mix of surprise and excitement.I grinned, feeling a bit smug. “Yeah, I figured if I’m going to take this guy down, I might as well do it with style. Somebody needs to knock him off his high horse. And if I can publicly expose him while I’m at it, all the better.”She laughed, “You’re really something. I didn’t expect you to go this far. It’s impressive.”“Thanks,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “I’ve got to make a statement. It’s not just about winning; it’s about showing everyone that you can’t mess with me. How can I help if you don’t go all out?”“Well, I’m really happy you took my advice,” she said warmly. “I’ll definitely be there to support you. Wish you luck!”I chuckled. “Luck’s nice and all, but I’m more abou