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
Richard returned to the meeting room after an hour, prepared to hear the responses of the stakeholders."I believe everyone has made their choices." Richard inquired casually.The stakeholders exchanged looks with one another before one of them asked."At what rate will the shares we own be sold?""The normal rate, of course," Richard replied. "Don't worry, I might want to change the hierarchy but I'm not a thief neither am I about to cheat you though you cheated us. The money you've spent will be reimbursed immediately.""Then I'll sell the shares." "Wonderful." Richard shifted his attention to the others as he inquired. "Anyone else?"There were still some amongst them who were unwilling to let go of the golden goose that was Serenity.Only they understood the profits they had enjoyed for a long time now.Just then, Mark got the courage to speak up. "What about the Grant family?... Though we do have shares in Serenity, our position can be seen as more like partners. I believe we do
Snorting derisively, Richard glanced at Queen Mother who was staring hatefully at him. “Due to your antiquated beliefs, you have allowed nonsense to remain, ensuring that progress is not made. Do you think that if this man rules, he would do a better job than his father?... I mean, at least the Emperor is sufficiently strong, but this fool?... Ah, well, what can I say?”Seeing as how everyone was silent, Richard continued. “My mother should have sat on that throne, she was the natural choice, but you all decided that because of her gender, she would not rule. Foolish. Too foolish. Now she lays dead, having tried her whole life to ensure that her family was safe and secure, a feeling she would have extended to everyone here had she remained.”The silence indeed deafening as no one knew what to say.The fact that Tabitha was dead was also quite shocking.“Regardless… I am here now and I plan to make changes. The first change I shall make as Crown Prince…”“You are not Crown Prince and w
Richard sat in his bedroom, already prepared for the bout that would bring everything to a natural conclusion.His expression is impassive, he sat before a mirror and wondered what he would do after he had won.It was a question he needed to answer before he could take the right to the Crown in good faith.He was no leader, so was he willing to become one all because he wished to avenge his mother?Letting out a sigh, he thought to call his beloveds only for someone to knock at his door.“Come in.” He calmly responded.Moments later, Gina entered alongside her father, Elder Wu, both of whom had their heads down as they found themselves unable to meet Richard's gaze.Seconds passed before Richard inquired. “Why are you here?”“... I… no, we are sorry, your highness. We were scared and…”“And so you decided as long as you survived, an innocent man paying the price would not be too bad.”“That…”“Sums it up nicely. If only you had stood your ground, I would have made sure you both got th
“Ahem, Princess Liliana.” An elder who could hardly control his curiosity any longer called out, drawing the attention of the first Princess. “Yes, elder?”“... Can you see me?” He inquired as it was common knowledge that the first princess had gone blind at some point as a result of her condition.Silence followed for a moment before the princess replied. “Of course, I can see you, older.”A flurry of gasps escaped the lips of everyone present as one exclaimed.“It's a miracle!”Soon enough, many more began to comment causing the hall to turn rowdy.“The princess is cured of her condition?... How is this possible?”“It makes no sense, the Princess couldn't have been healed just like that.”Just then, the Emperor erupted. “Silence!”Immediately, the hall went pin-drop quiet as everyone shifted their attention to the Emperor who had his eyes on Lily.“Are you truly cured, Liliana?” He inquired softly.Lily pursed her lips. “Yes… I am.”“But how?... Even your aunt Tabitha who was a pow
Eve could never have fathomed that Richard had anticipated her sabotage and carried out measures to make up for it.In her long life, she had never met someone who was able to match her cunning which was why even though Richard proved himself smart, she still considered herself superior.She had superior intellect, superior resources, and superior manpower and most importantly, Richard was on her home turf.There was no way he could pull a fast one on her yet here he was, doing exactly that.Her mind turned fast, trying to figure out how exactly she missed these drones but despite her efforts, she found herself pulling up repeated blanks with no end in sight.She'd made sure she destroyed all the drones after Richard had unceremoniously revealed that he had a network of drones currently spying on every portion of the capital.Of course, he hadn't said it outrightly but she had deduced it judging from what she had learned about his life so far.Which was why she had gotten her most tru
“It's not even been a week since he arrived yet he does something like this, so despicable.”“If he couldn't control himself, couldn't he have gotten a courtesan?... So cheap, utterly disgusting.”“I can't believe such a person is the Legacy. If he truly is the Legacy, he needs to have the Black Book stripped from him before he turns into a monster.”A lot of murmurs flew around amongst those Richard saw on his way to his destination, with many giving scathing remarks as they hurried past him.Whatever the first prince and Queen Mother were planning, its initial effect seemed to be quite good.They'd played an incredibly good card.Soon, he arrived at the courthouse where several elders both from the Right Hand and the Left Hands were gathered.Several looked upon Richard with scorn and absolute disgust with some even voicing their discontent.“I knew we should have never allowed him into the city. He looks like the textbook definition of a hooligan.”“To dare do such a thing and to E
Lily hadn't ever thought she'd be able to live a normal life again.From birth, she'd already been tagged as a child with little prospects and so was left to suffer alone for years.Few of her step-siblings ever showed any form of care, instead treating her as an opponent out of the race.That was the unfortunate thing.Every single member of the Royal family saw themselves as opponents to be defeated and not as a family.It was a situation born out of a desire to rule over millions.Very few were like Maverick, who didn't bother with anything and instead just tried to enjoy as much of their lives as they could.But here comes someone who has no connections to her, doing what no one else had ever deemed necessary to do.No, perhaps, she indeed had a connection to him.Hadn't he said it himself?... This was his attempt at finishing what his mother had started.Tears clouded Lily's eyes as she muttered softly. “Thank you.”Richard managed a smile as he reached out and cleaned a tear tha
The lady, having finished her heartfelt melody, took a deep breath before proceeding to empty her lungs, a look of satisfaction etched on her face.However, she soon paused with her expression shifting as she seemed to sense something, then she asked.“Who's there?” Her voice sounded hoarse, almost like it wasn't used as much as it was supposed to.Richard pondered on how best to respond before deciding to be straightforward.“My name is Richard Smith, I was attracted over by your zither playing. I must confess, it was incredible listening to you play, you are a genius.”The lady seemed to relax only for her expression to shift to curiosity as she inquired. “Smith?... You mean the man who claims to be the Legacy?”“I have been called that.”“I see, it would explain why I didn't detect you immediately. You carry a presence that despite being so immense, can be easily ignored… almost like a ghost.”Richard was unsure of how to respond and so, remarked. “Do you play this every night?”“
In a certain way, Richard had come to rely on the camouflaged drones as the best way to ensure he was never blindsided.If evidence couldn't be gotten from other sources, why not make your own?That was his understanding and so he didn't hesitate to apply it with necessary, hence the reason why he had already unleashed a good number of drones into the capital the night before.Ensuring they covered every corner of the city, nothing was happening in the capital Richard wasn't aware of.How he knew that Elder Wu wasn't doing as he had instructed and was instead meeting with his fellow Rights to discuss what he considered to be a potential disruption of the Order of the city.It seems he feared that Richard would cause chaos in his desire to get revenge.It was understandable why he would think that way but Richard was no madman and he had no desire to implicate innocents in his quest for justice for his mother.Regardless, that wasn't the point right now as he watched Prince Harry's exp
When was the last time he'd been so casually insulted that it felt like a compliment?Harry couldn't remember, perhaps because it had never happened.Those that had dared to look down on him had paid the price without question yet the man before him made him feel like that wouldn't be the case no matter what he did.Harry turned livid as he hated the fact that someone else, a nobody for that matter, would lead him to feel so wary.“How about we put that claim to the test then?” Harry inquired, unwilling to back down just like that.Richard raised a brow. “Wasn't this meant to be a party?”“Plans changed, let us compete. I believe it's a better way to decide if your words are true or you just have a big mouth, don't you agree?”“I see.”“Or perhaps, are you scared?” Harry asked in slight provocation.Richard shrugged. “Alright then, if you really wish to humiliate yourself, then sure, let's fight.”Harry snorted. “Good. We shall exchange three blows. Whoever can remain standing without