“What are you still doing here?” Melinda asked as she stared at Bianca cowering in the corner.“I…”“Just get out of here already.” Bianca didn't need a second warning before she fled with her tail between her legs, her previous demeanor all but gone.Snorting derisively, Melinda finally glanced at Richard who had returned to his seat.“You didn't have to be so harsh.”“Hmmph, the idiot just wished to cause trouble. In any case, such guys only respond to unrestrained violence, nothing else would keep them in check.”“Hah, I guess you're right.”At this point, Marco and the rest of his staff, along with Lyra, were still standing in place, shocked by the incredible display of might Richard had given them.Now they understood why he wasn't the least bit fazed when Dario first arrived.He was also a powerhouse in his own right!Marco could only feel bitter realizing he had nearly offended such a figure.Gulping nervously, he turned to face Richard.“Sir…”“I understand your situation. Da
With the situation concluded Richard waited an additional three hours before he got his hands on the pendants he'd asked to be customized.Then he bought the necklaces and finally left the store with Melinda.Though Marco and the other workers had been kind enough to provide some more snacks for the wait, Richard and Melinda were famished and so, headed to a restaurant to sate their hunger.There, they were introduced to the delicate cuisine of Barracuda which consisted mostly of fish.It was a delight for both involved as they enjoyed their meals, reveling in the explosion of taste the dishes brought to them.By the time they were done, the day was mostly spent with a few hours left before night would fall upon the city.On their drive home, Richard got a call from Lucia.“Talk to me.” He remarked as he put the phone on loudspeaker.[I have spoken with the Assistant and she has tried getting across to the Lopez family to facilitate a meeting with Anna but… there's a problem]Richard'
The situation at the bar quickly garnered the attention of clubgoers close by as they began to murmur amongst themselves.“Aren't those guys members of the Green Gang?” “I think so too. Look at the tattoos on their right arms.”“Damn, poor guy, I haven't seen him here before so which means this is his first time here. Imagine coming to have fun only to end up having your girl taken from you.” “Hah, serves him right for coming in here without some backup. Everyone knows that first-timers have to go through a sort of ritual to get them acquainted with the air in here. Next time, he'd be smart to do the right thing.”“I agree. I mean, just look at the chick he's with. She is smoking hot. I wish she could spend a night with me.” “Stop dreaming you fool!... If you want her so bad, why not go and ask the Green Gang guys for permission?... I'm sure they'd be willing to listen.”“No thank you.”As the murmurs continued, Richard found himself torn between passing by quietly and making a sce
Judging from the King's physique, it was clear he was most likely a Combatant cultivator, which meant those who focused more on offensive skills when cultivating.He sat across from Richard and scanned him briefly before shifting his attention to Melinda.His gaze lingered on her for a moment, a lustful thought crossing his mind as it did before he returned to face Richard.“My boys told me you are a High-risk Individual. I rather doubt it so I'm here to test it out.”Before Richard could offer a response, he unleashed a powerful spiritual wave, intending to suppress him. However, his pathetic attempt at asserting dominance was met with a raised brow from Richard as he inquired.“What was that?”The King shook inwardly at the unexpected question.Was his spiritual energy so weak it was considered lesser than air by this new visitor?Now he understood why the bartender had labeled him High risk and he dared to antagonize him just now.Coughing awkwardly, the King remarked. “A rite of
Once Richard had left, the King let out a sigh as he muttered. “Let's hope this doesn't get me into trouble with the Lopez.”Just as he got to his feet to return to what he was doing before the meeting, another door leading into the room opened and a thug rushed in holding a piece of paper.“What is it?” The King asked, rather annoyed at the fool's entrance.“Sorry, boss, but it's urgent. Alejandro has a request.”“What request?”“To search for someone.”“What?... If it's about Anna, let him know that we are doing the best we can. He would have to exercise patience.”“No, boss, it's not about the missing lady though he didn't sound quite pleased when I told him we hadn't found her yet.”“Then?” the King raised a brow.“He wants us to look for a man. The man dared to beat up some of the Lopez thugs and humiliated them in public. Alejandro wants to find the man and put him in his place… which would most likely be six feet under.”The King's frown softened as he grew curious. “Who is thi
Richard was awoken the next morning by the telephone placed in the hotel room he and Melinda were staying in.Rubbing his eyes, he got out of bed and picked it up only to hear an unfamiliar voice.[Hello, Mr. Smith.]Raising a brow, Richard replied. “Who is this?” [Ah yes, where are my manners?... You may call me Alejandro Lopez]“Okay?... How can I help you?” [Actually, Mr. Smith, it's you that can help me, from committing mass murder, that is]“What are you talking about?”[How about you check the news, Mr. Smith?... It should give you some context]Still rather confused, he obliged as he picked up the TV remote and turned on the TV.At this point, Melinda had woken up and inquired sleepily. “Who's that?”“Some guy calling himself Alejandro Lopez.”Before Melinda could comment further, the news came on.[Breaking news; the popular jewelry store, Merrys, has taken quite a huge hit as their store is burned down and its workers declared missing. Authorities are looking into the situa
Richard glared at Alejandro while the latter chuckled in amusement.“Haha, what do you think?... It's a great plan, right?... This way, you get to pay for your sins and these poor workers don't have to end up six feet underground. Don't you agree?”Richard prepared to take a step forward but Alejandro immediately added.“No, no, dare to act against me and they all die, understood?... You are in my court now, Richard Smith. As it is, everything is going to be broadcast to the entire city with the hashtag, what happens when you mess with the Lopez family.”“...” Richard remained silent, shifting his attention to those on the screen before letting out a sigh.“Alright then, but understand this, fail to keep your word and you will pay the price.”“Haha, still talking tough?... That's good, I like that. Anyway, yeah sure, it's not like a bunch of insignificant fools are worth anything compared to the big dog. So get on your knees, Richard Smith, and get ready for the first beating.”***Ri
“You bastard!... Do you dare to go against the Lopez family like this?... Do you think we won't retaliate?... My family will find you even if you flee to the ends of the earth, they will drag you back like an animal and flay you, so you'd best go down on your knees and beg for forgiveness, do you understand me!” Alejandro bellowed as he glared hatefully at Richard.This was supposed to be just like the other times when people had dared to go against the Lopez family.Alejandro was considered the weakest in the main family bloodline but that also made him the most twisted amongst them.Others might opt to just kill but Alejandro enjoyed causing pain and torturing people, making them weep like babies and crushing their self-esteem until they were nothing more than vegetables.He intended to do the same today, to beat Richard, then make him beg then take him back to his torture chambers to have his fun with him.Just the face of terror Richard would have caused Alejandro to grow joyous a