RICHARD'S POV The police car screeched to a halt in front of the station. They hauled me out, the flashing lights illuminating the growing crowd of onlookers. I could hear their whispers, feel their eyes on me. Humiliation burned through me like acid. “Isn't that Richard Thorne?” “Why would he do something like this?” I kept my head down, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. Inside, they booked me, the process a blur of fingerprints and mugshots. Finally, they shoved me into a small interrogation room. I sat in the cold, metal chair, my hands cuffed to the table. The door clang shut behind me, the sound echoing in my ears. The room was dimly lit, the only light source being the fluorescent light overhead. The walls seemed to close in on me as I waited, my mind racing. How did I end up here? How did everything go so wrong? My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. I looked up to see an officer standing outside my cell, a manila folder in his h
RICHARD'S POVThe crowd of inmates parted like the Red Sea when they saw me approaching. My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept my face stoic, hiding the anxiety bubbling beneath the surface. This was it. The showdown. The final test of whether I could survive this hellhole or become another statistic lost within its concrete walls. "Yo, Richard! You sure you wanna do this?" someone called out. I didn't bother acknowledging the question. My focus was locked on one person—Big Tony, the prison's undisputed bully. He stood there, a towering mass of muscle and menace, with a smirk that made my blood boil. Big Tony cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing ominously. "You got a death wish, little man?" he taunted, his voice dripping with condescension. The crowd chuckled, their eyes gleaming with the anticipation of bloodshed. I accessed the system within my mind, the one thing that set me apart from everyone else. With a single ultra point, I bought the ultra strength skill. I felt an
JENNY'S POV Even though the fear of the police watching me gnawed at my nerves, I pressed on, sneaking through the shadows as I crept towards Richard's house. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest. The night was quiet, almost too quiet, and every creak of the floorboards under my feet sounded like a thunderclap. The files containing the evidence that Richard needed were inside, the evidence that could clear his name. I had promised to get them. But the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. As I turned the knob and slipped inside, I was immediately struck by the sight of a woman and a little girl in the living room. The dim light from a single lamp cast eerie shadows on their faces. Panic surged through me, and I opened my mouth to shout but the woman raised her hand. My heart skipped a beat. “Who are you?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady. “Definitely not his wife. Richard isn’t married." The woman quickly put a finger to her lips. "Please, don’t sh
RICHARD'S POV I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was in a hospital room, but something felt off. The machines beeping around me, the sterile smell of the hospital, it all seemed surreal."Welcome back, Richard," a robotic voice said in my ear. It was from the Ultra system. "You've been out for a while. I can restore you to full health for just 2 ultra points."I hesitated for a moment, but the promise of full health was too enticing to resist. "Deal," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.Suddenly, I felt a surge of energy coursing through my veins. My vision cleared, and I sat up with a start.The doctor standing over me jumped back, his eyes wide with fear. "Richard! Oh my...you're...you're alive!"I rubbed my head, trying to clear the fog. "Where am I?" I asked, my voice shaking.The doctor composed himself, his eyes still fixed on me in disbelief. "You're at the hospital, Richard. We...we declared you dead two hours ago."I laughed, a dry, humorless
Richard's POV The courtroom was packed, the air heavy with tension. I could see everyone’s eyes on me, but I kept my gaze fixed forward. My heart pounded in my chest, but I forced myself to remain calm. This was it—the moment that could make or break everything. Steve’s wife, Margaret, took the stand. Her eyes were red-rimmed, but there was a fire in them, a determination that made me feel a flicker of hope. The judge nodded for her to begin, and the room fell into an uneasy silence. “Mrs. Steve, please tell the court what happened the night of the fire,” the prosecutor said, his voice gentle but firm. Margaret took a deep breath. She glanced at me, her eyes full of gratitude, before turning to the judge “That night, we were at home, as we usually were. We were supposed to be asleep. But Steve had been coming home late for weeks, stressed and paranoid. He told me that Vincent Armitage had been threatening him, and was after him for refusing to approve faulty construction proje
Richard's POV The judge turned to the jury. “Ladies and gentlemen, you have heard the testimonies. We will now move to the closing statements.” My lawyer stood up, his face calm and composed. “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you have seen the truth today. Richard was set up by Vincent Armitage, who was desperate to cover his own crimes. The evidence is clear, and justice must be served.” The jury deliberated for what felt like an eternity. The courtroom was a sea of whispers and anxious glances. Finally, they returned, and my heart pounded in my ears as the foreman stood up. “We find the defendant, Richard, not guilty on all charges.” A wave of relief washed over me. I closed my eyes, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The courtroom erupted in whispers and murmurs. Some people clapped, others just sighed in relief. I felt tears sting my eyes as I turned to my lawyer, who gave me a reassuring nod. The judge banged his gavel once more. “Order! Order in the
RICHARD'S POV I had spent a week healing, both physically and mentally, from the hell I had endured in that wretched cell. The bruises had faded, but the determination within me had only grown stronger. Today was the day I would take my first step towards something good, something meaningful. I had a plan, and I was going to make it happen, no matter what.I stood in front of my mirror, adjusting my tie for what felt like the hundredth time. The reflection staring back at me was one of resolve. My suit was crisp, my shoes polished. I needed to look the part if I was going to convince the mayor. I smoothed my suit jacket and took a deep breath. “Richard, you got this,” I whispered to my reflection. “It's time to make a change.”The drive to City Hall felt longer than usual, every step echoing with the gravity of what I was about to do. The building loomed ahead, a symbol of the bureaucracy and red tape I was determined to cut through. The bustling streets of the city buzzed with life
Richard's POV As I pulled into my driveway, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Amelia stood at my doorstep, looking weary and lost. Her usually radiant skin was dull, and there was a sadness in her eyes that tugged at my heartstrings. I killed the engine and stepped out of the car, my mind racing. What could have brought her here? “Amelia?” I called out, trying to mask my surprise.She turned to face me, her shoulders slumping. “Hi, Richard,” she replied softly. Her voice was barely above a whisper, laden with a heaviness that made my chest tighten. “What happened?” I asked, concern lacing my words as I walked up to her. “Come on inside.” She hesitated for a moment but then nodded. I unlocked the door and led her into the living room. “Have a seat. Let me take your coat.” She handed it to me without a word. I hung it up and returned to find her perched on the edge of the couch, looking down at her hands. The silence stretched between us, thick and uncomfortable. “Are you hungry?” I a