Richard Day's Legacy

Chapter 001

“Richard Day! You're under arrest for fraud, bribery, and corruption!”

Inspector Finn’s words rang out, and Richard leaned back in his chair, unfazed. Slowly, he turned to face the officer.

“Finn,” he drawled, “ To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Uhm… A case has been brought against you, and I’m simply here doing my duty,” Finn replied, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

‘Is that so?’ 

Richard raised an eyebrow, and his gaze flicked briefly to his assistant, Benson, whose hand hovered over his waistband, ready to act. With a subtle shake of his head, Richard signaled him to stand down.

Sighing, Richard looked around at the officers before focusing on Finn. 

“What crime did you say has been levied against me?" he asked, voice calm but edged with steel.

Inspector Finn swallowed a little before he replied.

“You've been accused of misappropriation of funds, bribery, corruption, and various other crimes" 

He started with a clearer voice, but his confidence wavered as he continued under Richard’s intense gaze.

The more the crimes were listed, the more Richard's brows creased further.

Just two years ago, Dalton City had been a desolate place, crippled by poverty, plagued by attacks from rival cities, and run by a corrupt government more interested in lining its own pockets than protecting its citizens.

 The streets were empty, businesses had crumbled, and people had fled for their lives.

But all that changed when Richard took control. 

For the sake of his fiancée Cassie’s father, the ailing mayor, Richard stepped up as acting mayor and initiated an unprecedented transformation.

 Under his guidance, Dalton City rose from the ashes; infrastructure flourished, security was restored, and economic growth soared.

 Richard’s leadership turned the city into a model for others, and he became widely known as its savior—a man who had sacrificed much of his own life to rebuild and protect it.

And now this was his reward.

“Who made all of these accusations?" 

He simply asked in a low voice that still sent chills down Finn's back.

Finn shifted from foot to foot, and before he could respond, the clacking sounds of stiletto heels sounded from outside, and immediately his fiancee, dressed in a beautiful red gown with head held high strutted in, smirked at him, and said,

“That would be me, Richard.”

She announced with a loud voice and a smirk, Richard blinked rapidly at her, as though he couldn't process what she was saying,

Still smiling, Cassandra Delaney waltzed to Richard's evacuated seat, and regally sat on it, placing her hand on the table as she formed a steeple and smirked at her dazed husband.

“Richard, I do not know why you're acting like you know nothing. It's no hidden knowledge that you've constantly mismanaged funds, bribing corrupt officials like yourself, it's all documented. There's evidence you know?”

Cassie tsked, as she set some documents before him, nudging with her head for him to glance at it. 

Richard could hardly believe his ears as he glanced at the woman who was supposed to be his wife and stand by him,

Yet, here she was digging a grave for him and casually throwing him into it with no hesitation. 

He frowned at the realization that it was nothing but a set-up, but to what gain? That he couldn't fathom, and he needed to know why, lifting his head, he glanced at her with cold eyes,

“Why?" was his one-word question, and Cassie burst into a loud laughter and stood to her feet,

“Why, you say?? Richard, don't be a fool. Take a good look around you. Do you think you are worth any bit of this prestige, position, or wealth?!”

Scoffing she sneered at him and continued,

"Don't be delusional Richard, you're not deserving, far from it. No one wants an association with one who can't determine his roots, an orphan with no family backing.” 

Straightening herself, she strode towards him, looking him dead in the eyes as she cupped his chin with her fingers, leaning to his ears, she whispered,

"You're absolutely nothing, and you're worthless. We have no use for you anymore Richard Day, where I'm headed, you can't take me there, and that's why I have decided to marry Andrew Morris, he's got all I need, and through my marriage to him, the Delaney name is about to become a household not only in Dalton City but in the whole country!”

At her revelation, it was as though cold water had been poured on Richard.

He had been a pawn in their game; all of his sacrifices and fight for justice and freedom were nothing to them; he was to be discarded as a used tissue.

 A bitter smile appeared on his face, and he shook his head and sighed heavily.

They would come to regret this decision. They had no idea the reason Dalton had been in so much peace, and they would in due time. 

“Take him away!!" Turning to glare at the by-standing officers, Cassie shrilled.

The men nodded and hurried to cuff Richard’s hands, as they clasped his hands with the cuffs.

 Richard said nothing as he felt the coldness of the metal on his wrist, glancing at Cassie who was smirking.

With a shake of his head, he let the police push him harshly out the door, ignoring the stares and glares of those who had worked under him.

Back in the office, Cassie spread her arms wide and grinned, returning to sit regally onto Richard's old seat, taking out her phone, she smirked and dialed, at the receiver's pick, she gleamed and said,

“It's done" 

Cassandra Delaney grinned as she delivered the news to her father Harold,

"Dad, it's done. The worthless prick has been taken away!! Now I'm free to marry Andrew, and build the life we've always wanted!”

Over the phone, Harold grinned and laughed loudly,

“That's great! I'm glad we finally got rid of that parasite, we have to work quickly so you can finally get married to Andrew and have power over Dalton City and beyond”

Cassie nodded enthusiastically, grinning from ear to ear. She couldn't wait to finally be with Andrew and be married to him, he was the son of the number one family, the revered Morris family of Savon City, their capital.

Being married to him was going to give her the wealth and access to power she had always craved.

With a gleaming smile, she leaned her back onto the seat, imagining the joyful events that were about to take place in her life.

She dialed the secretary and promptly gave an order,

“Get me the most expensive wine you can find, while at it, I'm celebrating my freedom!!" she announced giddily, splattering the whole place with papers that she had thrown up. 

Meanwhile, back in the police van, Inspector Finn glanced at Richard at intervals, with furrowed brows and a worried expression.

He viewed Richard as an enigma. He hadn't attempted to resist arrest and had followed them willingly.

He found himself wondering what the acting mayor was up to. 

Seated in his position, Richard took a peek at his phone and scoffed.

 Just the other day, he had received concerning news that one of Dalton City’s known rivals was trying to make an ambush but was refraining because they knew Richard would overcome them.

Now that he was out of the mayoral seat he knew the former enemies of Dalton City were bound to attack.

Shaking his head, he glanced at his phone as a message chimed in,

‘I have words that Primse is forming an army to attack Dalton. What's your command?’

At those words, Richard smirked. 

Franklyn was one of his trusted troops, as well as an ally from another country, with this information, he was certain of an incoming attack.

 Not bothering to reply to the text, Richard rested his head on his seat.

It was time for a long-needed vacation, and he was about to take advantage of it.