Mr. Smith's Trillion Dollar System

Chapter 14

Richard watched the exchange between Maria and John with interest.

He'd expected the man to try something but he didn't expect him to go so far.

Even a person with half a brain could guess he had taken a liking to Maria and was trying to impress her by making a mockery of him.

It was slightly amusing and as a smile formed at the corner of his lips, a dastardly scheme came to mind.

***

Oblivious to Richard's machinations, John rattled off like a dog without an owner. "Can't you see how he looks?... Wearing a mask and hiding his identity?... It's clear he is only faking an identity and doesn't dare to reveal himself as it would immediately show that he is not who he claims to be. So give me the honors to put this beggar in his place and maybe afterward, I could show you around the building."

He was even shameless enough to subtly throw in his intentions at the end…. Richard shook his head in amusement.

Maria regarded him with annoyance, prepared to answer his disrespectful remarks when