Rudiger was a man who had clawed his way from the bottom of the barrel to the top with nothing but his ability to bully the weak and fear the strong.His greatest accomplishment was getting into the good books of powerful families in Intercity who wished to be in control of the media and to be in charge of what was known by the populace.He worked with them to overthrow the former owner of Golden Sparrow and with that, he ended up becoming the new owner.Ever since then, he'd always dreaded losing what he'd gained because he knew what would happen to him if he lost it.Unfortunately, his worst nightmares were coming true before his eyes but he didn't want to give up yet.Which was why he'd rushed to meet with the new owner.If he could get in his good books, perhaps he could retain work as a General Manager.But imagine his disbelief when the person who stepped out of the car was Maria, the General Manager of Serenity, the same company Diego got him to slander.He trembled at that mom
There were several things Mark had done in his life that could be considered wasteful but losing an annual income of 400 million dollars was by far the greatest of them all.After losing Grant's family stake in Serenity, he didn't have the mind to return home for fear of getting into trouble and instead lodged in a hotel to pass the time.Unfortunately, he underestimated the capabilities of his family and his father in particular.Within a few hours, he'd been found and now he knelt before the domineering figure that was Jacob Grant, his father and head of GrantCo. His female companion had already been sent out and he was left with his father and two bodyguards that looked ready to pounce on him the moment his father said the word.Mark gulped as he waited patiently for his father to speak and finally, after an agonizing minute passed, Jacob spoke up."So you're telling me that you lost the stake we had in Serenity, a stake we've held onto since the company's inception. Is that corre
Diego returned home and without answering those that approached him, quickly made his way to his room before closing the door while informing the butler to forbid anyone from disturbing him.With that, he locked the door and moved to a shelf of books in the corner.He moved one of the books and the next moment, the shelf moved out of the way to reveal a secret room with screens.After entering, the shelf moved back into place and the room was immediately illuminated by red lights.Diego took his seat before turning on the monitors.Immediately, the five monitors turned on revealing the faces of other aged men with substance, one of which happened to be Jacob Grant.Each one of them were movers and shakers of Intercity.Though to the public eye, they were rivals and indeed, they were, they had long since realized that apart, it would be difficult to control the city as they wished so they decided to come together, forming an organization aptly called, Black Hand whose sole purpose was
Paul was one of the reporters Diego contacted to head over to Richards' conference to disrupt it.He'd been paid a substantial sum and he'd already given a promise that no matter what, the conference would end up with Richard losing out.But upon arrival, he found himself entranced by the ambiance of the hall and afterward, Richard's charisma left him unable to recall the lines he'd prepared.By the time he recovered, he realized that Richard was already done with the first portion of the conference, and by the looks of it, the scandal he was embroiled in would surely go away now.Paul grew frantic as he knew he had only one shot to ensure the conference ended on a bad note.Thankfully, Richard hadn't left yet and so, he spoke up."Mr. Smith, I have a question."Richard looked in his direction as he replied. "A moment please.""..." Though he didn't wish to, Paul found himself unable to do anything but listen and at that moment, he realized.He might have to refund the money he was gi
Mirabel was left dazed as she sat in the sitting room with other members of the Martinez family to watch the current trending news.Normally, it was a time for bonding with the family members but seeing the news, none had the guts to smile or even utter a word.The sitting room was as silent as could be with a few even holding their breaths in shock.[... And I will be opening a charity organization to help the less privileged find their way in this great city]Indeed, that was Richard's voice and the news the Martinez household was watching was his press conference.Everyone had already heard about it and a few calls had already come in from those acquainted with the household, praising the Martinez family for having such a glorious son-in-law but only those within the house knew that it was hardly the case.Each of them had maltreated Richard endlessly, not even giving him a chance to breathe up until he was forced to move in with Anna.It was a case where they knew well enough that
After the meeting with her father, Mirabel stepped out of her father's study with a complicated expression on her face.She picked up her phone and made a quick phone call."Hello?... Yes, it's me. Is she still there?... Alright, quickly get her here. I need her."The call ended quickly and after, a sinister grin played on Mirabel's lips as she sneered. "Now, let's see what you'll do with what I've planned for you."***Richard drove as fast as he could, worried that he wouldn't get there on time.With the press conference, there was no one in Intercity who wouldn't know about him now, including Mirabel and her disgusting family.He had a gut feeling that if he didn't move fast, she would use Anna as a way to make him subservient to her again and that was something Richard couldn't allow to happen.Anna was a good woman who had supported him when he was scorned by the rest of the Martinez household.Two peas in a pod, that was what she called them.He couldn't allow such a friend to s
James grew worried as he noticed the number of doctors standing before his target's door.He'd been informed by Mirabel to take care of Anna and so, he planned to take her out of the asylum once there was no one checking on her.Previously, he'd administered a drug that caused Anna to fall into a deep sleep to facilitate his plans of taking her away.But then with the doctors currently standing at the doorway, he couldn't help but grow worried.Had his plans been found out?However, as he got close, he realized that it wasn't that he was caught but instead, the enemy had already arrived.He was quite familiar with Richard Smith due to his connection with Mirabel which meant there was no way he wouldn't recognize him.Taking a moment, he quickly decided to use the doctors' presence to send Richard away long enough to finish the job.However, from the looks of it, it didn't seem to be an easy task.***"Who are you?" One of the doctors questioned harshly.Richard calmly replied. "You ma
[Name: Anna Lopez][State: Currently in a critical state. Due to continuous intakes of poison, her mental state has devolved to the edge of full-blown insanity]Two things stood out to Richard.First was that the black phone also regarded Anna as a Lopez, instead of a Martinez, causing him to wonder about her origin.Secondly, was the fact that she was being fed poison instead of drugs which led to her current critical state.Which was why he was so cold to James.Hadn't the latter confessed to being the one in charge of Anna's case?This meant that he knew that her state was beyond saving and so wished for Richard to humiliate himself in the process of trying to save Anna.Richard thought to get James arrested immediately but decided against it.He might be able to use him later to take care of Mirabel.So even though it vexed him, he decided to reign in his emotions.Just then, the nurse returned with the water and smelling herbs.Richard took them with gratitude and set them before
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