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
Richard could tell there was a palpable tension in the air as he sat in the suite with Maria standing beside him with her head down.Though she tried to hide it, he could tell that something was bothering her and from all indications, it had to do with the man seated away from him.A frown graced Richard's visage as he turned to regard the man.Maria was an invaluable employee for him and he wouldn't take lightly anything that could affect her morale which was why he did his best to ensure her comfort yet some man came in and put a dent in that.Richard spoke up. "Who are you?""Oh, didn't Maria introduce me?" The man retorted with a sneer.The man spoke with disdain as he looked down on Richard and seemed to enjoy Maria's uncomfortable state."I didn't bother to ask her. So tell me, who are you?" "Tch, call me Derek. My friends call me Viper though.""I don't care." Richard curtly replied earning a frown from Derek.Ignoring the stare thrown his way, Richard continued. "Maria told me
"Could this be true though?... I mean, I saw him get thrown off the cliff. How could he have survived?" Jason asked while seated in Mirabel's room.Mirabel on the other hand didn't seem as relaxed as she paced around the room, unable to stay calm due to the news she'd received."Sis… come on, are you going to…""Shut your mouth!... What do you know?... Do you think they would call me if they weren't completely sure?" She retorted leaving Jason scared."... But you were there that night!... You saw him get thrown over. Do you believe anyone can survive falling from that height?""Damn it, I don't know!.... Shit, we have to do something.""We?""Damn it, you are so useless!"Mirabel was about to curse Jason out some more when her cell rang.She froze instantly, terrified by who could be calling.She picked up the phone seconds later only to let out a relieved sigh.It was Diego calling."Yes, Dad?" She answered.[How are things in the company?... Have you drafted the proposal I asked yo
Diego had already gotten news on the Smith auction coming up in two days because Veronica had called him asking for his help.He'd never thought the day would come when the great Smiths would be brought down to such a level.He guessed it all had to do with their current situation where every family member was trying to kill each other.This made it easy to rip them apart and take them out one at a time.Before, Diego wouldn't have considered this but ever since George's unfortunate demise, the Smith family was left lacking.Miranda was still alive but due to her circumstances, it was difficult for her to make a difference.Of course, there was a time when the Smiths seemed to be on the rise because of Richard but that was quickly shot down with a ploy from Diego, using the hands of Veronica to bring Richard down, despite knowing that it would not bode well for the future of their family.'Human nature is such a fickle thing.' He thought to himself as he came down from his car, having