Richard heard the black phone ring but didn't immediately take it out since Melinda was still embracing him with an embarrassed expression on her face.He chuckled as he extricated himself from her grasp. "What now?... Why are you embarrassed all of a sudden?" He teased.Melinda pouted as she replied. "Well…""Haha, it's fine," Richard remarked as he patted her head. "Now tell me, how much did we make from our winning?""Our?""You betted on me, correct?" "... Well.""Did you not?""Of course I did!""Good." Richard nodded in satisfaction. "So how much?""1.5 billion dollars," Melinda replied leaving Richard stunned for a moment.It seemed the realization of just how big the people at the museum were had just struck him.Was this the purchasing strength of those hidden families in the Golden Circle?They were indeed quite free with money, weren't they?Shaking his head, Richard remarked. "Alright, you share it as you wish.""Are you sure?" Melinda revealed a sly smile as she continue
The auction hall was currently filled with representatives from the hidden families within Intercity.Numbering 30 in total, the auction wasn't rowdy or packed as each attendee was placed in a reserved room.Richard and Melinda were seated in room 4 with the latter taking the time to explain how the auction works."This black card is normally used during the auction to pay.""How does it work?" Richard inquired."You transfer the amount you wish into the card and then when an object you want is shown, you bid for it by sliding the card over this card reader and inputting a number."Then pointing at a black screen hanging over the center stage, she continued. "The number would be shown over there and the highest bidder's input would be shown there.""Ah, I see." Richard nodded in understanding before asking. "So what exactly is sold at such secret auctions?"Melinda revealed a sly smile as she remarked. "You'll see."Just then, the lights in the hall dimmed just as a middle-aged man in
"Would you like to buy the Longevity pill?" Melinda inquired softly, her expression a lot less judgmental compared to earlier.Richard glanced at her. "Why?" "Well, my grandpa's birthday is coming up soon and I'd like to get him something good. I know you healed him and I don't doubt that your treatment was effective, but… the Longevity pill will ensure he lives a long and healthy life.""You must love him," Richard muttered.Melinda leaned back in her chair as she nodded. "He has treated me better than I could ever imagine. In our family, boys are considered superior but grandpa always made me feel like I was strong enough to compete with the boys.""That's because you are," Richard commented.Melinda slowly nodded. "I guess you are right. So, would you be purchasing the Longevity pill?... I believe it would be a nice gift for Grandpa.""Don't worry, you can buy it." Richard decided to leave it for Melinda to get, considering Miranda was already quite healthy and devoid of any probl
"Richard!... Richard, wait up!" Melinda cried out as she rushed to catch up with Richard, the latter taking wide strides in his quest to leave the building.When he finally reduced his pace, allowing Melinda to catch up to him, at which point, a few people had already seen her run, she grabbed his arm and dragged him to a stop."What the hell happened there?... How could you reject the offer to invest in the museum?.... Do you know how many people would want a chance to invest?"Rolling his eyes, Richard replied. "Am I the only one that didn't fall for that man's bullshit?""What are you talking about?" Melinda raised a brow in confusion.Richard sighed. "Don't you consider the reason why only big families have the guts to invest in the museum?""Why?""It's because they won't dare to screw them over, no matter what. I'm guessing families like yours, would want them to not just give out investing rights to anyone, ensuring that only the elite would do so.""Yeah…""So what happens whe
Richard fled the scene with Melinda not because he was afraid of the attackers but because he wished to ensure Melinda's safety first before anything.As he made his way deeper into the forest, Melinda soon came to a stop, her breathing uneven as she bent down to recover."Are you okay?" Richard asked.Melinda gritted her teeth as she glared at him. "Okay?... Damn it, I'm not okay!... I warned you about getting that tablet yet… now look at us. We are being hounded by gunmen!""Calm down, Melinda.""Don't tell me to calm down, Richard!... You say you are smart so why did you have to do something so dumb this time around?" Melinda was at the point of tears as she nearly fell over, completely exhausted.Richard calmly helped her, unwilling to offer a response as he understood that she was only saying such things because she was scared.So he decided to take responsibility to ensure no harm would come to them."I'm going to need you to find a safe place and hide," Richard remarked after M
Vincent was in his study at home, indulging in some personal reading when his phone rang.He promptly picked it up and answered. "Yes, Melinda?... How was the auction?"As he asked, he had a doting smile on his lips, a clear sign of his joy at speaking to his adorable granddaughter.However, his expression soon shifted as he heard what the other party had to say.By the time Melinda was done, Vincent erupted into a fury as he bellowed. "How dare that bastard come after you?... Does he think that I am so easily beaten?"[...]"Tell me where you are, I'll send our men to come and pick you up immediately!"[...]"Richard Smith is there?... Is that so?... That's good.'[...]"He should come along with you as well."[...]"He said what?"[He would like to speak with you]"Alright then, put him on the phone."***"Hello, sir," Richard remarked as he took the phone from Melinda. [Thank you, Richard. My Dawson family is eternally indebted to you for protecting our heir.]"It's my mistake so
"Father, you called for me," Mirabel remarked as she walked into her father's office in their family company.It had been a long time since he stepped into the office with Mirabel tasked to take his place but with the current situation, he was needed in the company now more than ever.His expression revealing his tiredness, he replied. "I did. Take a seat."Mirabel quickly sat down and then Diego began."Richard has agreed to come for the celebration next week. I hope everything has been prepared on your end.""Yes Father, there's no way Richard Smith will be able to escape what we have planned for him," Mirabel remarked before adding. "It's regretful that we were unable to catch him off guard with the divorce papers but it's fine, this time, we won't let him be.""That's good. Unfortunately, I had to agree to his offer to own shares in our company. The money has already been transferred and 25% of controlling shares have been sent to Maria.""It's fine, soon enough, he'd be giving us
Richard watched the news on his cell phone, a brilliant smirk on his lips as he hungered to see the looks on the Martinez's faces.They had treated him with contempt once upon a time and it was because they were rich and powerful, so he was going to ruin them and watch them suffer for their sins.He pocketed his phone as he was walking only to pause as he grew hungry.But then, taking a look at what he was wearing, he decided to pause and get something comfortable to move in before heading to a restaurant.He strolled over to a nearby store and after purchasing a t-shirt and jeans, he quickly got dressed before making his way over to Gauloises, which was a popular restaurant chain in town, only second to Jade Panda Restaurant.As he walked through the gates, he couldn't help but notice the look of contempt with which the guards regarded him.Considering he no longer utilized [Adam] and was dressed in ordinary clothes, it seemed they didn't recognize who he was.Ignoring them since th