RICHARD’S POVThe silence in the room was thick enough to choke on. Mr. Grant’s laughter echoed off the walls, but I didn’t move a muscle. I just sat there, watching him as if he were the most boring show on television. When he finally noticed my deadpan expression, his laughter died in his throat. “Wait, you’re serious?” he asked, eyes wide with disbelief.I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. “Do I look like I’m joking?”He blinked, struggling to process. “But… Langston’s deal is practically done. He’s already outside my office, waiting to sign the papers.”I shrugged. “But it’s not done, is it? Until that signature hits the page, it’s just a bunch of empty promises.”Mr. Grant stared at me, his mind visibly racing. “You can’t expect me to just throw him out like that. He’s been a good partner, reliable—”“Reliable?” I cut him off, my tone laced with sarcasm. “You mean the same guy who’s been sinking faster than a rock in quicksand? The man’s a chronic gambler, Mr. Grant. An
RICHARD’S POV The moment the words left Grant’s mouth, I felt the tension in the room spike. “What kind of offer did you get that’s better than the potential profit we talked about?” Langston’s voice wavered slightly, but he tried to keep his usual swagger. Mr. Grant leaned back in his chair, chuckling. “Potential profit? You and I both know there’s a lot of risk in that word ‘potential.’ I was offered $10 million, upfront. No risk, no losses.”Langston’s face twisted, disbelief clear in his eyes. “My companies can double that, triple it! You’re making a huge mistake, Grant!”Grant’s smile faded. He leaned forward, his gaze sharp. “And how much of that would be on the table if you hit another losing streak at the casino? I’m not willing to find out. You’re a chronic gambler, Langston. I’m done doing business with someone who’s always one bet away from ruin.”Langston’s bravado crumbled in an instant. The color drained from his face, his eyes wide with desperation. “Please, Grant,”
RICHARD’S POV I’d barely pulled up to Amelia’s house when the system pinged me: Task complete. 2 Ultra Points awarded. Well, that was a nice bonus. I barely had time to think about what those points might get me when I spotted Langston’s car parked outside. Of course, he’d run to Amelia’s place. Probably hoping to cry on her shoulder about how his golden goose just flew the coop. As I walked up to the front door, there he was, standing in the doorway like some washed-up old actor who didn’t know when to exit stage left. The moment he saw me, his eyes flared with pure hatred. His face was a shade of red that I didn’t think existed in nature. “You!” he roared, pointing a shaky finger at me. “You ruined everything!” Before I could even open my mouth, he lunged at me like a madman. If it weren’t for Amelia’s brother and father holding him back, I swear he would’ve tried to strangle me right there in the front yard. “Whoa, easy there, old man!” I said, half-laughing as he stru
RICHARD'S POVI took a deep breath, deciding it was time to put everything on the table. “The truth? Langston’s companies are going bankrupt. That deal was supposed to save his dying empire. And let’s not forget his gambling problem.” I turned to Amelia, who was watching everything with wide eyes. “You were supposed to marry a man who would’ve gambled away everything, including your future.” Langston laughed loudly, trying to cover his obvious embarrassment with bravado. “Gambling? You’re a liar! I’ve never gambled in my life! You think you can stand there and tarnish my name?” “Your name’s already tarnished,” I shot back. “That’s why you’re so desperate. That’s why you’re here, trying to cover up your failures.” Langston took a step forward, his eyes wild with rage. “You’ve got a big mouth for a little nobody. You think you can just walk in here and ruin everything? You’re nothing!” “I’m something now,” I said, taking a step forward to meet him, my voice cold and steady. “I’m th
RICHARD’S POVI was sitting in my father’s ornate sitting room, leaning back on the plush sofa, waiting for him to finally show up. This room always felt suffocating to me—filled with dark wood and heavy curtains, a perfect representation of my father’s tastes. Cold and uninviting, just like him. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been here without feeling a knot in my stomach.I sat there, uncomfortably tapping my foot against the polished hardwood floor. The clock on the wall seemed to be ticking slower than usual. My father was taking his sweet time, as always. The room, filled with old family portraits and heavy furniture, felt like a museum of someone else’s life—a life I was always kept on the outside of.Jonathan and Williams, my stepbrothers, were across the room, whispering to each other like two conniving rats. I could feel their eyes on me, their whispers slicing through the awkward silence.Finally, Jonathan cleared his throat, and I looked up. He had that smug look on
RICHARD’S POVI woke up the next morning with a plan in my head and determination in my veins. Getting a visa couldn’t be that hard, right? Just fill out some forms, smile, and maybe make small talk about the weather. Easy. I grabbed my keys, downed a cup of coffee, and headed straight for the embassy.The line outside the building was already forming when I got there. People were shuffling around, looking at their watches and tapping their feet. Everyone was impatient, but I was in a good mood. I even smiled at the security guard who gave me a once-over before letting me through.Inside, it was a different story. The air was thick with tension, the kind that made you feel like you were back in school waiting for your name to be called for a surprise test. I took a deep breath and found a seat. I could do this. I just needed to be polite and patient. After what felt like an eternity, my number was finally called. I walked up to the counter, trying to keep my cool. The staff member, a
RICHARD’S POV I watched as the manager went back to her desk, her heels clicking sharply against the tile floor. She sat down, her face all business as she tapped away at her keyboard. I could feel the tension in the room, the hush of everyone waiting to see what would happen next.The young staffer beside me leaned over, whispering, “Man, I’m sorry about all this. That guy really screwed up, huh?”I nodded, my eyes fixed on the manager. “Yeah, well, let’s see if he gets what’s coming to him.”She typed my name into the system, her eyes flicking over the screen. After a moment, she frowned and tapped the keys again, double-checking. I held my breath, hoping that this wasn’t some kind of elaborate trick. Finally, she looked up, and I could see the anger in her eyes. “Mr. Thorne, you are not blacklisted. There’s absolutely nothing on your record.”I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Thank you,” I said, my voice tight. “I knew there had to be some kind of mistake.”The man
RICHARD’S POVFEW DAYS LATERI arrived in Vegas a day ahead of my stepbrothers, Jonathan and William. They were the kings of smugness, but I had a plan to knock them down a peg or two. It started with getting to Vegas before them and booking us all rooms at the hotel right next to the casino. I knew they’d never expect me to show up, especially not after that little stunt they pulled at the embassy. The receptionist at the hotel was a young guy, probably in his mid-twenties. He checked me in with a friendly smile and handed me three sets of keys. “Here are the keys for the rooms booked under Thorne,” he said, his eyes bright. I smirked. “Thanks. I’m sure my dad and brothers will be very surprised to know I got here before them.” The receptionist chuckled, not knowing the half of it. “Have a good stay, sir.” “Oh, I plan to,” I replied, heading to the elevator. My brothers had no idea what was coming.The next morning, I was in the hotel lounge, sipping on some overpriced coffee, wa