Lyra didn't want to say anything at first to Richard about her personal life but with what just happened, she found herself unable to hold it in any longer so she told him.“My mother is dead.”“... I'm sorry for your loss,” Richard remarked, having not expected such sad news.Lyra managed a sad smile as she replied. “It's fine. Even though she'd suffered for most of her life, I'm glad she died happy.”“That's good.”“But her death brought with it certain changes, one of which I'm still struggling with right now.”“Tell me.”“I guess you don't know this but… I'm a sickle cell patient. I'm prone to illness and it's difficult to get things done as my body easily breaks down. This is why I haven't been able to assimilate the family's legacy of martial arts.“From a young age, I was already touted as a disgrace since I wouldn't be able to live long enough to take over the family business. My dad, disappointed as he was, did what all men would and abandoned my mother to marry another woman
It didn't surprise Richard at all when Yakob said the patent wasn't for sale.He already knew that this was the case.The deal between Yakob and Milton wasn't to buy the patent but to share the profits from utilizing the patent for their benefit.It was a disgusting act by a man who didn't care one bit about the poor girl he'd be cheating if he went ahead with his plans.But now, Richard had sunk his teeth in, and no matter what, there was no way he'd lose.Meanwhile, Yakob felt insulted seeing Richard laugh so mockingly.After a few seconds, he inquired. “Did I say something funny, Mr. Smith?”“Of course you did. You must be a clown Mr. Yakob, considering what you said.”Gritting his teeth, Yakob questioned. “And how am I a clown?”“Oh come on, you were just speaking about the patent and how you intend to share profits with Mr. Milton which means you don't plan to sell, only to cheat Lyra. I never knew Circle members were so despicable to their own family. Makes me wonder if there's a
Lyra stared at Richard, unable to understand what he meant by his words.“What do you mean by that?” Lyra inquired.“Exactly as I said. Do you wish to change your fate, Lyra?” “That… it's not possible, Richard. My sickly status isn't something that can be fixed. We've tried but the Alchemists we went to all said the same thing, there's no stopping this.”Richard snorted. “As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing impossible as long as we keep pushing. So I ask again; do you wish to change your fate?”Lyra blinked a few times, still unable to come to terms with Richard's bold statement.Soon after, she slowly nodded. “I want to. More than anything else.”“Then give me your hand,” Richard remarked as he put out his hand.Lyra hesitated but ultimately placed her hand in his own since she had no other choice.If there was even a little chance that her sickly state would disappear, why shouldn't she take it?She'd suffered enough already… it was time to take a stand.And almost like fate h
“It would seem I won't be joining your ranks then.” Richard calmly remarked causing the elders in the chamber to frown.“Why do you say so?” One of them asked.Richard flashed a smile as he replied. “Because I see no benefits for me.”“You arrogant fool, do you think you can just come in here and say whatever you wish?.... Joining The Golden Circle is the greatest privilege any wealthy clan in Zion Empire would have the honor of obtaining, yet you dare say there are no benefits for you?... Do you not know how much low we have to go to accept you into our ranks?”“That's why I say there's no need. There's no need for you to lower your standards and there's no need for me to marry into any of your families to join. You see, I see no reason why I should join an organization that acts so stuck up with most of their members capable of cheating their own family if it were to gain some benefits.”“You bastard!... Do you think you are worthy to utter such words?”Richard chuckled. “Regardless
Richard immediately took off once the car completed the transformation with Lyra stunned by what had just happened.“What did you do?”“You come from a mystical world and you are asking that?”“Well, I've seen healers and combatants, but never someone change the actual structure of a car!” Ignoring her shock, Richard focused on the road ahead, intent on losing the attackers on their tail.He didn't wish to clash with them due to Lyra's presence.She could potentially get hurt and that wasn't something he wished to happen so even if it would be annoying, he had to focus on escaping instead of fighting.Of course that didn't mean he intended to remain passive as he took out the black phone and immediately inputted some commands which the black phone executed instantly.Unfortunately, the attackers weren't about to let him go as they pulled out weapons and opened fire on his car.Thankfully the car Richard was driving was upgraded so the bullets bounced off though the noise was enough t
Richard woke up the next morning to an unexpected call from an unexpected number.It seemed become a routine now to be woken up by calls.“Hello.”[Richard Smith, I must say you put it quite the show yesterday. I was beyond impressed.]“I had a guess you were one of those that wished to bring me into the Circle, Mr. Dawson.”Vincent scoffed on the other end. [What do you think of me?... I specifically told you to stay away, so why would I want to invite you in now?]“Well the whole idea about marrying a daughter sounded like the kind of thing you'd come up with.”[Don't slander me so shamelessly boy!]“I tell no lies.”[Hmmph, regardless, you have to be careful going forward, Richard. Though your actions were warranted, the Golden Circle isn't an organization to be trifled with. We may be a branch but that does nothing to reduce how lethal they can be when pushed]“I couldn't show weakness, even if I knew that they were dangerous. You know, Vincent, just how badly it would have turned
“Sir, it's Arturo. Can I come in?” Arturo remarked from outside the bedroom.Richard promptly replied, “Of course, do come in.”“Alright.” Arturo stepped in and closed the door behind him before turning to face Richard.“Sir.”“I presume you have decided since you came to see me.”“Indeed I have sir. I was hesitant yesterday because I was worried about my men but they managed to make me understand that there was no reason to worry. You, sir, have managed to perform miracles time and again so far. We believe it would be an honor to accompany you on this journey to the peak.” Arturo said.Richard nodded, feeling rather satisfied. “That's good. I'm glad you decided to join me. I was worried I'd have to look for someone else that's as trustworthy as you.”“Thank you, sir.”“It's not a compliment, it's the truth.” Richard simply said before adding. “Anyway, since you and your men are on board, I believe that there should be some changes coming up. Equipment, weaponry, tactics… everything
Richard prepared to head over to the gym to get some exercise only for Maria to call him up just as he was done bathing.“Yeah, Maria?”[Sir, we have a problem.]“Maria, I feel like whenever you call me now, I should be expecting some form of bad news.”[Ah, sir, it's not like that. It's just…]“Don't worry, I'm just kidding,” Richard remarked with a chuckle.[Ah, sir.]“Alright, tell me, what's wrong?”[It's the proposed estate you asked to be built to accommodate the employees. The leader of the project informed me this morning that there was a slight hiccup and asked for assistance]“Is work still ongoing?”[Yes, but he says he might have to stop the work based on what's happening over there]“Hah, fine, I'll get there and see what the problem is.”[Thank you, sir]“It's the least I can do. Ah yes, help me draw up a plan for a security company. We would soon be having a subsidiary joining us. I'll forward you the benefits I've got planned for them and other needed details as well.”