“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.”
Thomas Wayne was an ambitious man in Intercity.He was a man who could never be satisfied, always seeking to go higher, irrespective of who had to suffer for his goals.A man who cared for nothing more than benefits, it was like a blessing when First City Bank came completely under his control and this was because of Richard's act of putting away several of his competitors.Unlike the others, Thomas didn't dare to leave evidence of his misdeeds and so to outsiders, he seemed clean but Richard could tell at a glance that he was not.He claimed to be an investor but all the companies he'd ever invested in always ended up becoming his, with the owners mysteriously dying or losing out of their own company.Richard couldn't be sure if it were a supernatural attack or a natural one but he could tell that Thomas was dangerous.Perhaps this would be his first hurdle after the realization of how dangerous the world is but Richard wasn't one to be caught off guard.He prepared and was ready for
Bruce glanced at Richard for a moment before bursting into laughter.Hunched over, he remarked. “You think you can beat me?... Are you a fool?” “It wouldn't be much of a competition if I didn't think that.” Richard calmly replied.Bruce sneered. “You have no sense to know your place. You may have done a few things here in this city but know that I've been around, I am known around the country compared to you who's acting like some local champion. Out there, you'd be nothing but a frog in a well, so you'd best know when to stay within your limits.”“Regardless, what happens if I win?” Richard pressed causing Bruce's expression to distort.“Fine then, since you won't listen, I'd be more than happy to entertain you. If you, by some miracle manage to beat me, then I'll do what I said you'd do if I win, happy now?”“Very,” Richard replied.Snorting derisively, Bruce got into his car and started the engine before glancing at Richard. “Aren't you getting in?”“Sure thing.”“Don't tell me yo
“You'd better watch your tongue, Mr. Smith!” Bruce bellowed angrily only to pipe down as Richard glared at him.“Or else what?”Bruce didn't dare to say anything more as he didn't want to admit it but he was terrified of Richard.Bruce had watched the clips from the terrorist attack and could quickly tell that Richard wasn't an ordinary man.He'd thought that he could use his superior skills in racing to beat Richard but now that it was clear Richard was better than him, he had nothing to use.Feeling humiliated, Bruce didn't dare utter another word with Richard snorting derisively at his silence.Glancing at Thomas, Richard remarked. “You were the one that pushed an agenda and now that it doesn't work for you, you would change it?... Regardless, I don't care much. It's not like I expected much from the Wayne family.”“You are overstepping a boundary, Mr. Smith.”“I could care less about that. Now, how about we get to the real reason I'm here?”“Hmm.”“Your act of seizing lands I'd al