Gerald didn't know why but as he met the masked man's gaze, his heart skipped a beat.He furrowed his brows as he watched the man's lips curl into a disdainful smirk before he casually shifted his attention.'Who is he?... Why does he look so familiar?' Gerald couldn't help but wonder as he fought the nagging feeling of foreboding welling up within him.Just then, the curator who stood beside Miranda spoke up. "Who are you?""I am Zero and I am here to attend this birthday party, I hope I am not too late.""Zero?""Is that a name or is he trying to hide his identity?"Murmurs flew around before Linda suddenly spoke up."I don't care who you are but the Smith family doesn't take it lightly with those that try to cause problems for us.""I am aware." Richard calmly replied."Then…""But I don't believe there has ever been a time your family prevented outsiders from attending and even participating in the gifting ceremony, am I correct?""Well, that…""No." Miranda suddenly spoke up, her
"Grandma!" The entire hall went into an uproar at seeing Miranda struggle to stand up.Some were even worried she'd been so insulted by Zero's gift that she intended to leave."Mrs. Smith, please don't do this." The curator cried out worriedly.However, Miranda ignored her as she glanced at Richard with the latter nodding calmly before shifting her gaze back to the paper in her hand.Before anyone could say anything else, she limped forward and without hesitation, embraced Richard, leaving everyone within the hall stunned.Did Grandma just hug a stranger?... What's more, a stranger that gifted her a piece of paper?... It was incomprehensible for anyone to understand.Even Gerald and Linda who were about to move forward ended up stopping in their tracks, unable to make sense of the situation before them.There had never been an instance of this happening with Miranda remaining as an aloof figure in their eyes yet today… Today she broke that aloofness to hug a stranger… Gerald could bar
Numerous ways to pay back his siblings had crossed Richard's mind after he'd survived falling from the cliff that fateful day, but at that time, he was worried that he'd end up hurting Miranda if he went ahead with his plans.But now there was no reason to worry any longer, after all, she gave him her blessings to return tenfold to all those who mistreated him.Now he realized that instead of hiding his identity, it was time to reveal himself.But he wasn't about to do so immediately, instead, a grand show was in order.A smile lingered at the corners of Richard's lips as he watched the stunned expressions on Linda and Gerald.He thought that soon, it would get even bigger.***"Grandma… you, how are you walking?" Gerald asked, breaking the silence in the hall.Miranda flashed a smile as she slowly made her way down the stairs, taking each step with confidence as Richard followed closely behind.Inadvertently, Gerald and Linda found themselves backing away in fright.Finally coming to
Gerald stepped back, his eyes wide open as he stared at Richard's face.His lips quivered as he muttered under his breath. "Impossible, it can't be…"Flashing a knowing smile, Richard inquired. "Why can't it be me?""... Because you are supposed to be dead!" Gerald exclaimed.Naturally, most in the hall shared the same sentiment.Those of the Smith family had gotten the memo from the Martinez family about Richard's death.They were already planning a funeral for him but due to certain factors, they were unable to carry it out yet.But now, the same man that they thought was dead had come back, and not just that, he had come back a veritable powerhouse in the business world.How else would he dare to enter a partnership with Smith Industries?But then, the question remained… How did he do it?Also, did his presence here mean that the Martinez family had lied about his death?... If so, why?So many questions and yet very few answers.Richard snickered inwardly, enjoying the shock on eve
Veronica stumped out of the hall after Richard's provocation, her chest heaving as she walked, she didn't even turn back as she heard her children call out to her.Has she ever been so humiliated in her life?... What's more, by a mere illegitimate child? She couldn't accept it.She could still recall the day her husband brought him the boy, declaring him as his heir.As dirty as Richard looked at that time, Veronica had sensed danger from the boy.He could hold up to what her husband thought of him.She'd always felt her position in the family was shaky, precisely because it wasn't a love marriage that brought her into the Smith family, but instead a contract marriage.The true love of her husband was left alone and so, Veronica had always despised her and everything that came out of her.But now it would seem everything she had done was wasted.She soon arrived in one of the adjacent rooms connected to the Smithsonian.She barged in and only stopped after she stood before a mirror,
In the Smithsonian hall…"Do you have to go, Richard my boy?" Miranda asked in a melancholic tone.Flashing a warm smile, Richard replied. "Don't worry, Grandma. Soon I'll be back and then we can live together like old times. It's just a matter of two days.""Two days…" Miranda trailed off as her expression shifted slightly, revealing the unease in her heart.Richard noticed this as he inquired. "Is something wrong, Grandma?... Are you not feeling well?""It's not that, with the miracle you performed, how can I not feel well?""Then?""It's just… are you sure about the auction?... Everything we have is on the line and… I'm worried that we won't be able to get it back.""Don't you trust me anymore, Grandma?""Of course I do… but do you have that amount of money, Richard?... It might very well be worth more than a billion dollars yet… I'm just worried that you are overdoing things for revenge."Richard chuckled softly as he stepped forward and embraced Miranda. "Don't worry about anythi
Driving on the highway, Richard found himself falling into deep thought as he pondered Maddie's words to him before he left the Smithsonian.No matter how much he wanted to ruin those who looked down on him in the family, he couldn't go ahead to destroy everything his grandmother held dear.There was no way he would pay back her goodwill with such wickedness but then if he couldn't ruin them and he couldn't just cut them off, then how was he to punish them?He found himself in a dilemma concerning the issue and for the time being, was unable to figure out a way to get out of the predicament.Soon enough, he let out a sigh, deciding to put aside the issue for the time being and focus on what was important.He knew that now that he revealed himself at the birthday party, it wouldn't be long before the news would spread and the Velazquez family would come to know about him still being alive.At that time, he had to make sure that they wouldn't have anything to leverage against him.Espec
Richard paused, a frown already etched on his face as he felt like the person calling to him was looking for trouble.Ignoring the person due to his current mental state, he decided to leave the shop but before he could do so, a hand grabbed his shoulder and he was forced to turn back.He prepared to give the culprit a tongue lashing only to pause as a blonde lady came into view.His frown quickly died down as he muttered. "It's you.""Oh, you remember me." The blonde lady said with a sweet smile."Uhmm… Linda, right?" "Remarkable. You recalled the name I have that day."Richard raised a brow at the strangely worded sentence. "What do you mean?""Linda isn't my full name.""Is that so?""... What?... Only my friends call me Linda so it's a privilege." Linda replied rather nonchalantly.Richard raised a brow. "Uhmm.""Look, you gave me hope that I'd be able to see my grandfather healthy again so naturally I let my guard down.""Hah, alright then. How's your grandfather?" "That… I'll