The Minister of Intercity was a major position in the empire.Intercity, though, incomparable to the capital, was a major city in the empire, touted as one of the most advanced cities in the world.So it was understandable that those in such a position would have money, power, and connections to do whatever they wanted.This was why Xavier would have never expected what he saw when he stepped out to receive his son after he'd returned from the auction.In all his life as the minister, no one had ever dared to touch what he was his but today that record was shattered."What!?" Xavier could barely believe his eyes as he watched Tony, his son, get carried into the ministerial estate by his servants.He looked quite beaten and was in a generally terrible state."Who did this?" Xavier asked in a furious tone. *Who dared to touch my only son?... Give me a name now!" The head of Tony's security, Morris stepped forward to reply seeing as how Tony was still unconscious to do so. "Sir, it was
"Do you need anything else, Richard?" Melinda inquired after she'd completed the massage.Richard let out a relieved sigh, feeling rather refreshed from Melinda's handiwork.He considered the possibility of employing her as his permanent masseuse but quickly got rid of the thought to avoid passing across the wrong message.Coughing awkwardly, he remarked. "To be honest, I'm quite parched and I don't know if I'd be able to sleep immediately so maybe if you could get me some warm milk, it would help me sleep better."For some reason, his words caused Melinda to blush as she turned away her face almost like she was embarrassed about something."Uhmm, did I say something bad?" Richard inquired with a raised brow."... No, not at all. It's just… are you sure that's what you want?""Yeah, of course. Warm milk will get me sleepy in no time.""... I see. Well, I guess if it's just milk, I could… I've never done this before so you have to be gentle." 'Huh?...Gentle?... What is she talking abo
"What do you mean by the company is about to be shut down?"[Sir, it's all my fault, please punish me] Maria replied from the other side, her worried tone a clear indication of her mental state.It wouldn't be a shock if she began to cry based on how she was sounding."Okay, calm down, Maria. I need you to explain the situation."[It's like this. After the embezzlement case that left Serenity nearly bankrupt, we were unable to pay our taxes and that left us in a tight spot. Thankfully you came on when you did but I made a terrible mistake]"What mistake?"[It skipped my mind that we still had a backlog of unpaid taxes yet to be accounted for and now it's been brought to light for which reason the company accounts have been frozen]"So that's how it is."[Sir, I'm so sorry. It was my mistake]"It's fine. Understandably, such a small thing would be forgotten. The fact that it's been brought up now is quite suspicious. Who froze the account?"[The Minister gave the order for it to be fro
Lester was a member of the Imperial Revenue and Customs Agency branch in Intercity.He was responsible for auditing companies and ensuring they paid their taxes on time.Unfortunately, he was a corrupt official who worked for the minister, helping him take down companies that didn't conform to the Minister's wishes.This time, he had been sent to take down Orion Corp after what Richard had done to the Minister, causing him to lose out on the properties he wished to appropriate for himself.The minister had given him charge to ensure that he forced Orion Corp to shut down for the time being while also letting him know that Richard wouldn't be able to do anything about it because he would be attacked on his way to the office.Which was why he was currently at Orion Corp headquarters to pressure them to shut down."Good day, Mr. Lester. Nice to meet you." Maria greeted with a warm smile as she approached.Lester snorted. "Hmmph, what's good about the day?... Your corrupt company dares to
'What's going on?...didn't the minister say he won't be coming in today?... So what's the meaning of this?... How come he is here now?... He managed to survive the Minister's attack?" So many questions streaked through Lester's mind as he found Richard standing at the entrance to Orion Corp, his hands in his pockets.Richard regarded him for a moment causing Lester to step away from Maria in fright.Noting this, Richard sauntered over, his gaze trained on Lester as he came within arm's length.Intimidated by Richard's imposing aura, Lester didn't dare to say anything immediately but knowing he couldn't remain silent, he had to say something to save face and so, he did."Well well, if it is the new owner of the so-called big corporation that somehow doesn't know how to pay taxes. You should be ashamed of yourself. People like you disgust me." Lester spat coldly, his gaze filled with disdain for Richard.Richard raised a brow as he inquired. "And you are?" "Huh?""I presume you are som
Lester was dumbfounded by the news he received.The unpaid taxes had been cleared?... No less by Richard Smith?But how?... How had he done so when his accounts were frozen?He glanced at Richard who met his gaze with a grin, clearly mocking him for overestimating himself."You…" Lester began but never finished as he knew there was nothing he could say that would change what had happened.Richard caught this and remarked. "So tell me, have you confirmed the payment?"It was almost like he was mocking Lester and of course, he was."... How?""A magician never reveals his secrets. Now, I believe you owe me and my employees an apology for the ruckus you caused this morning."Lester froze, realizing that he'd be humiliated if he allowed Richard to continue.Thankfully, he still had something up his sleeves."Why should I apologize?... Your actions just now prove that you are involved in money laundering which the minister has accused you of. I will arrest you right now!" Silence reigned
Richard got to the IRCA and got them to unfreeze the company accounts with the man in charge begging for mercy with regards to Lester but Richard wasn't about to allow the fool to go scot-free.That was Richard's motto; only those that are good to me are worthy of my sympathy, every other person should watch their backs!After ensuring the man in charge understood things clearly, Richard left the IRCA and put a call across to Maria.[Sir?]"The accounts have been unfrozen so I was thinking of going out to inspect the new properties I purchased to find out suitable enough to build a new HQ for Orion Corp. Would you be free to join me?"[Of course, sir!... I'll quickly clear up my schedule.]"That's good." Richard nodded before promptly ending the call.Considering everything that had happened, he was thinking of giving Maria an incentive for how well she handled the situation.If not for her, the situation would have quickly devolved into something else but that didn't happen.Even the
"Sir, it's been done." Gary, Xavier's butler remarked with his head bowed.Xavier nodded. "Good. Once James leaves, Richard won't have anyone important in the police force to control as he wishes. Once that happens, I'll be able to take the next step.""Yes sir.""Tell me, who will be coming to replace James?""Major General Watson, Minister.""What?... That tough warmonger from the north?... He is a no-nonsense individual. We would have to be careful around him but it's fine. As long as he isn't on Richard's side, that's enough for me. Now let's see what you'd do, Richard Smith. You threatened to destroy me, yes?... I'll make sure you eat those words." Xavier muttered coldly.***Richard didn't bother too much with James leaving as it didn't change anything.If anything, he only felt bad that a friend of his would be heading off to a dangerous battlefield.Thinking of the best thing to give as a farewell gift, Richard decided to utilize the Wish Store.After purchasing two Rejuvenati
Snorting derisively, Richard glanced at Queen Mother who was staring hatefully at him. “Due to your antiquated beliefs, you have allowed nonsense to remain, ensuring that progress is not made. Do you think that if this man rules, he would do a better job than his father?... I mean, at least the Emperor is sufficiently strong, but this fool?... Ah, well, what can I say?”Seeing as how everyone was silent, Richard continued. “My mother should have sat on that throne, she was the natural choice, but you all decided that because of her gender, she would not rule. Foolish. Too foolish. Now she lays dead, having tried her whole life to ensure that her family was safe and secure, a feeling she would have extended to everyone here had she remained.”The silence indeed deafening as no one knew what to say.The fact that Tabitha was dead was also quite shocking.“Regardless… I am here now and I plan to make changes. The first change I shall make as Crown Prince…”“You are not Crown Prince and w
Richard sat in his bedroom, already prepared for the bout that would bring everything to a natural conclusion.His expression is impassive, he sat before a mirror and wondered what he would do after he had won.It was a question he needed to answer before he could take the right to the Crown in good faith.He was no leader, so was he willing to become one all because he wished to avenge his mother?Letting out a sigh, he thought to call his beloveds only for someone to knock at his door.“Come in.” He calmly responded.Moments later, Gina entered alongside her father, Elder Wu, both of whom had their heads down as they found themselves unable to meet Richard's gaze.Seconds passed before Richard inquired. “Why are you here?”“... I… no, we are sorry, your highness. We were scared and…”“And so you decided as long as you survived, an innocent man paying the price would not be too bad.”“That…”“Sums it up nicely. If only you had stood your ground, I would have made sure you both got th
“Ahem, Princess Liliana.” An elder who could hardly control his curiosity any longer called out, drawing the attention of the first Princess. “Yes, elder?”“... Can you see me?” He inquired as it was common knowledge that the first princess had gone blind at some point as a result of her condition.Silence followed for a moment before the princess replied. “Of course, I can see you, older.”A flurry of gasps escaped the lips of everyone present as one exclaimed.“It's a miracle!”Soon enough, many more began to comment causing the hall to turn rowdy.“The princess is cured of her condition?... How is this possible?”“It makes no sense, the Princess couldn't have been healed just like that.”Just then, the Emperor erupted. “Silence!”Immediately, the hall went pin-drop quiet as everyone shifted their attention to the Emperor who had his eyes on Lily.“Are you truly cured, Liliana?” He inquired softly.Lily pursed her lips. “Yes… I am.”“But how?... Even your aunt Tabitha who was a pow
Eve could never have fathomed that Richard had anticipated her sabotage and carried out measures to make up for it.In her long life, she had never met someone who was able to match her cunning which was why even though Richard proved himself smart, she still considered herself superior.She had superior intellect, superior resources, and superior manpower and most importantly, Richard was on her home turf.There was no way he could pull a fast one on her yet here he was, doing exactly that.Her mind turned fast, trying to figure out how exactly she missed these drones but despite her efforts, she found herself pulling up repeated blanks with no end in sight.She'd made sure she destroyed all the drones after Richard had unceremoniously revealed that he had a network of drones currently spying on every portion of the capital.Of course, he hadn't said it outrightly but she had deduced it judging from what she had learned about his life so far.Which was why she had gotten her most tru
“It's not even been a week since he arrived yet he does something like this, so despicable.”“If he couldn't control himself, couldn't he have gotten a courtesan?... So cheap, utterly disgusting.”“I can't believe such a person is the Legacy. If he truly is the Legacy, he needs to have the Black Book stripped from him before he turns into a monster.”A lot of murmurs flew around amongst those Richard saw on his way to his destination, with many giving scathing remarks as they hurried past him.Whatever the first prince and Queen Mother were planning, its initial effect seemed to be quite good.They'd played an incredibly good card.Soon, he arrived at the courthouse where several elders both from the Right Hand and the Left Hands were gathered.Several looked upon Richard with scorn and absolute disgust with some even voicing their discontent.“I knew we should have never allowed him into the city. He looks like the textbook definition of a hooligan.”“To dare do such a thing and to E
Lily hadn't ever thought she'd be able to live a normal life again.From birth, she'd already been tagged as a child with little prospects and so was left to suffer alone for years.Few of her step-siblings ever showed any form of care, instead treating her as an opponent out of the race.That was the unfortunate thing.Every single member of the Royal family saw themselves as opponents to be defeated and not as a family.It was a situation born out of a desire to rule over millions.Very few were like Maverick, who didn't bother with anything and instead just tried to enjoy as much of their lives as they could.But here comes someone who has no connections to her, doing what no one else had ever deemed necessary to do.No, perhaps, she indeed had a connection to him.Hadn't he said it himself?... This was his attempt at finishing what his mother had started.Tears clouded Lily's eyes as she muttered softly. “Thank you.”Richard managed a smile as he reached out and cleaned a tear tha
The lady, having finished her heartfelt melody, took a deep breath before proceeding to empty her lungs, a look of satisfaction etched on her face.However, she soon paused with her expression shifting as she seemed to sense something, then she asked.“Who's there?” Her voice sounded hoarse, almost like it wasn't used as much as it was supposed to.Richard pondered on how best to respond before deciding to be straightforward.“My name is Richard Smith, I was attracted over by your zither playing. I must confess, it was incredible listening to you play, you are a genius.”The lady seemed to relax only for her expression to shift to curiosity as she inquired. “Smith?... You mean the man who claims to be the Legacy?”“I have been called that.”“I see, it would explain why I didn't detect you immediately. You carry a presence that despite being so immense, can be easily ignored… almost like a ghost.”Richard was unsure of how to respond and so, remarked. “Do you play this every night?”“
In a certain way, Richard had come to rely on the camouflaged drones as the best way to ensure he was never blindsided.If evidence couldn't be gotten from other sources, why not make your own?That was his understanding and so he didn't hesitate to apply it with necessary, hence the reason why he had already unleashed a good number of drones into the capital the night before.Ensuring they covered every corner of the city, nothing was happening in the capital Richard wasn't aware of.How he knew that Elder Wu wasn't doing as he had instructed and was instead meeting with his fellow Rights to discuss what he considered to be a potential disruption of the Order of the city.It seems he feared that Richard would cause chaos in his desire to get revenge.It was understandable why he would think that way but Richard was no madman and he had no desire to implicate innocents in his quest for justice for his mother.Regardless, that wasn't the point right now as he watched Prince Harry's exp
When was the last time he'd been so casually insulted that it felt like a compliment?Harry couldn't remember, perhaps because it had never happened.Those that had dared to look down on him had paid the price without question yet the man before him made him feel like that wouldn't be the case no matter what he did.Harry turned livid as he hated the fact that someone else, a nobody for that matter, would lead him to feel so wary.“How about we put that claim to the test then?” Harry inquired, unwilling to back down just like that.Richard raised a brow. “Wasn't this meant to be a party?”“Plans changed, let us compete. I believe it's a better way to decide if your words are true or you just have a big mouth, don't you agree?”“I see.”“Or perhaps, are you scared?” Harry asked in slight provocation.Richard shrugged. “Alright then, if you really wish to humiliate yourself, then sure, let's fight.”Harry snorted. “Good. We shall exchange three blows. Whoever can remain standing without