[Breaking news: Mr. Richard Smith has been absolved of the crime of kidnapping Ms. Selene with new evidence pointing to Veronica Carson, his stepmother]The scene on the TV switched to show the police station where Robert was currently addressing the reporters."Inspector, inspector. Is it true that Richard Smith didn't kidnap Ms. Edith Selene?""He didn't. It was a dastardly scheme put together by his stepmother and her father, Don Leonard Carson, to smear Mr. Smith's good name. Mr. Jared, Edith's Manager, unfortunately, was an accomplice in this scheme.""Is there evidence to prove this, Inspector?""Of course and everything will be revealed in due order.""Inspector, is it true that Mr. Leonard Carson is the head of the crime syndicate, Red Wing?""That…"Richard calmly turned off the TV, feeling satisfied that the situation was finally sorted.It had taken him a lot of time and effort but thankfully it paid off in the end.Letting out a tired sigh, he was about to take out the bla
Selene remained silent for a moment before she calmly inquired. "You are Mr. Smith's stepsister?""...Mn," Maddie answered with her head down."I don't hold anything against you. Your mother and my manager were the ones at fault. So I forgive you.""...Thank you," Maddie muttered with tears welling up in her eyes.She'd wondered how she'd be able to live with herself and now, with Edith's forgiveness, it no longer felt so hard.Edith spread out her arms and gestured for Maddie to embrace her which she did.As the women enjoyed each other's company, Richard soon returned with good news that the doctor had agreed to discharge Edith.With the formalities sorted out, Richard took Edith and Maddie before leaving the hospital.They first went to a restaurant to sate their hunger at which point Edith informed Richard of her desire to complete the transaction to become the face of Orion Corp.Richard called Maria to prepare the necessary documents to facilitate the process before Richard took
Richard's presence caused the crowd to go mellow instantly.Everyone was well aware of how he'd somehow managed to bring down a mafia in a bid to clear his name.Someone that resourceful naturally wasn't someone to be trifled with.However, Rita grew even more excited upon seeing him because she knew that he was the reason Maddie was no longer rich.Considering what had happened in the Smith family, Rita guessed that Richard would be happy to see Maddie suffer but hardly had she begun to expect Richard to capitalize on Maddie's predicament when he suddenly went on his knees and lovingly embraced Maddie, allowing her to stop panicking.Pulling away, Richard inquired. "Tell me Maddie, what's going on?" "I didn't steal anything, Richard. I didn't, I was framed.""That's a lie!... She stole an expensive dress from my mother's boutique and would have gotten away with it if I hadn't found her out. I guess you can say like mother, like daughter." Rita mocked from the side.Unfortunately for
Richard, in a bid to ensure that everyone learned of the Listers' terrible acts, asked the security guards to project the footage for all to see.On the projectors, the video revealed Rita putting the dress in Maddie's bag before going ahead to frame her for theft.Instantly, the public's opinion was swayed as they glared hatefully at Rita and her mother.Wishing to save face, Karol remarked. "Alright, that's fine. Since Madison's name has been cleared, I guess there's no need to prolong the matter. How about we part ways here?"Richard snorted. "Do you take me for a joke?... Since you and your daughter are at fault, I believe you know what to do next.""You expect me to kneel and apologize?... Damn it, you bastard, don't overstep your boundaries." Karol icily replied.Maddie tried to tell Richard that it was okay, worried that the situation might spiral out of control but Richard wasn't about to let this slide."Will you not apologize?" Richard probed.Karol snorted. "Do you know who
"Please forgive us, Madison, we made a big mistake," Karol begged on her knees.Maddie hesitated to respond, perhaps because she was torn between forgiving Karol and Rita for their acts or putting them through the same humiliation she endured because of them.Pursing her lips, she glanced at Richard, like she hoped for him to give a verdict but he remained silent.It seemed he was serious about her being the judge of the situation.Taking a deep breath, she finally replied. "It's fine, I forgive you.""Thank…""But I don't." Richard suddenly said causing the atmosphere to grow oppressive.Maddie glanced at Richard, worried that she had made a mistake but Richard wasn't looking at her."Maddie is a kind soul so she'd forgive you, however, I won't. For insulting my family, you will pay the ultimate price. I will give you two options; either you join Lister Brand as an employee or you leave.""What?" Karol couldn't believe her ears at Richard's words.Richard snorted. "I've spoken to you
Richard nodded as he got to his feet. "Alright then. I'll take care of the unearthing process as well as the valuation and subsequent sales. As agreed on, you'd take 40% and I'll take 60%.""No, Mr. Smith. If possible, I'd like for you to hold on to the money, perhaps open a bank account to which we can have access.""Oh?... Why?" Richard couldn't help but inquire.Lauren hesitated before she explained. "First City Bank is a dangerous institution, Mr. Smith. They might end up doing something bad even though the land is no longer in their hands to take." "Are they really that despicable?" Richard had always thought the Martinez family were the height of despicable but it seemed other organizations were waiting to prove him wrong.Lauren nodded. "First City Bank has ruined many lives, Mr. Smith. I won't lie and say that I'm not scared because I am." Richard furrowed his brows before ultimately nodding in agreement."As you wish. But don't worry, First City Bank won't dare to do anythi
"Oh my gosh, it's Mr. Raymond Young.""Is that him?""The son of the Young family from overseas?...it's said that their family is in the World's top 3000 richest. The Dawson's are connected to such a prestigious family?... Unbelievable."Raymond arrived with a convoy in his car, the Phantom Boat which was the same brand Richard had owned once upon a time but because of circumstances, ended up getting destroyed.It reminded him he still had a pound to receive for what was done to him that day.Regardless, Raymond was in the company of several guards dressed in expensive tuxedos and carrying weapons.He grinned as he walked, taking in the admiration of everyone present.Unlike others, however, Melinda rolled her eyes in indignation, earning a glance from Richard."Do you know him?""What gave it away?""?""Ugh, fine, we went to the same college together. He was such an obnoxious ass that chased anything in skirts. He had sex with a record 500 women and he wanted to add me to his list.
"What is going on here?" Commissioner Gordon inquired calmly as he walked, accompanied by quite a few special ops.Everyone gave way to him for fear of getting in his way, allowing him to quickly reach Richard's position."Commissioner Gordon," Richard called out cheerfully. "Glad to see you here.""Likewise, my friend. Now tell me, what's going on here?"Raymond at this point couldn't help but get worried considering Richard looked to be on good terms with the Commissioner.Richard sighed as he replied. "I was teaching that man over there a lesson but unfortunately his bodyguards decided to stand in my way.""Is that so?... That won't do at all." Commissioner Gordon remarked as he gestured for his men to move.Immediately, Raymond's bodyguards had themselves surrounded causing them to immediately back away from Richard."Much better," Richard muttered before glaring at Raymond who immediately backed away in fright."You…you better stay right there. Do anything to me and you'd surely
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