Richard aimed his punching hand at Edmund, but the man was unable to parry it, which made him fall back quite hard."Argh, damn it! Damn man, how dare you do this to me!" His emotions peaked, and he turned around and charged towards Richard with quick steps.Richard's body was pushed away, but Edmund's punch, which had no clear focus, did not manage to hit him. Instead, it created a distance that made it easier for Richard to reverse the attack.Richard, who was already furious, no longer wanted to hold back. He then lifted his leg and kicked Edmund in the stomach, which made the man bounce hard and far away."Hey, you!" Steve and Bill exclaimed in unison when they saw their friend's body bounce.They knew they realised that Edmund was wrong. But they couldn't let Richard harm Edmund with that kind of attack. They then went to Edmund and ran towards him as fast as they could. He came up to the man, who coughed with a face of pain as the pain in his stomach completely immobilised him f
"What? No way." Edmund denied that. He stared fixedly at Darwin, who was still there with an unchanged expression.The man showed the same serious expression as when he met his father on the day Edmund accompanied his father to inspect the place, but his demeanour was much sterner, and his gaze was also sharper than usual."Are you kidding me?" He still could not accept the fact that what Darwin said was the truth.Darwin remained firm. He, who originally came to save Edmund from what his staff told him, also did not expect that the one dealing with Edmund was Richard. He also had no choice but to prioritise Richard and ignore Edmund, who meant nothing compared to Richard.Richard was her main priority at the moment. She had to make sure Richard's comfort was the thing she had to prioritise over others. Edmund, on the other hand, did not need to be paid much attention to because that one plague had already caused him more trouble by dealing with Richard."No. I am telling the truth, s
"You stay there for a while and keep in touch with me while I'm still here to do some work." He sat in the garden chair outside his room and looked at the morning sky.He still hadn't left the inn as he wanted to keep a close eye on the progress of the team he had created to monitor the Casino's security from cheaters. Brian had informed him about those who had signed and agreed to all the terms. But to see what their work was like, Richard wanted to judge for himself."Yes, sir. I'll do as you say." He replied on the other end of their phone line.After Richard ended their call, he took a sip of the tea in his cup, accompanied by a sweet piece of cake that matched the tea's slightly bitter and bland taste. He enjoyed his quiet and peaceful morning for a while there until he returned to his room.Richard placed his phone near the table and then undressed and cleaned himself in the bathroom. As soon as he woke up this morning, he immediately went to the front of his room and sunbathed
"Who are you? Why do you have my son's phone?" Daniel, Edmund's father, spoke over the phone loudly.Meanwhile, in one of the hospital corridors, a man who was Edmund's driver was nervous and panicked about his surroundings. "Sir, this is me, Aby." He mentioned himself in a voice that was rushed from nervousness."What's wrong with you calling me on Edmund's phone? Where is Edmund now?" Her tone of voice remained as before, completely unchanged.Aby stared into the infirmary. "That's what I wanted to tell you, sir. Mr. Edmund is currently in the hospital. Someone and his condition beat him up is quite severe, sir.""What!" The voice on the other end of the line spoke in a high tone. "What do you mean in the hospital? Who did that to him? How could anyone dare to do that to my son?" Even though their conversation was connected over the phone, Aby could feel Daniel's gripping anger, giving her goosebumps.Aby gulped, suddenly feeling her throat dry and choked. She struggled to continue
Daniel was silent, he held the phone but did nothing, his eyes moved with an indistinct gaze, glancing at his son who lay there holding the pain in his arm and other parts that also looked injured. He was furious, he was angry, but contacting Mr. Charles on this matter, he wasn't sure it was the right thing to do. He was worried he would instead receive an answer that surprised him.Smith saw the oria just staring doubtfully. "If you can't do that, then let me call him directly so you can talk to him." He took out his phone and connected a video phone call to Charles.The sound of the phone ringing was the background of the silence in that place. None of them spoke, each waiting with their own feelings and thoughts."Hello, Mr. Charles." Smith broke the silence as the tone disappeared and Charles' face appeared on the screen.The man who appeared on the phone screen with his usual appearance smiled at Smith. "Yes, Mr. Smith. How can I help you?" He had absolutely no idea about what w
"Alright, get back to work. I'll call you if there's anything else I need. I'll stay here for the time being." Richard confirmed that with Smith, who was on the other end of the line.He found the place suitable for him. The environment was still fairly beautiful, with various green scenery that made him comfortable."Of course, sir, enjoy your time," Smith replied to Richard, ending their call.Richard then left his room and went to an open space from the closed room. Ever since he was there, he kept wanting to be outside, breathing in the fresh air and experiencing firsthand the air in that place, which was much different from the city air.He thought a lot about how far he had come in making changes in his life with what he had done and whether his life was going the way he had hoped."What do people do when their minds feel exhausted?" That had been a frequent question for him lately.During the time he spent in that place, whenever he visited the place there, he always observed t
Edmund was currently still in his room, trying to move his hand repeatedly but his hand muscles were not responding at all. Prayer kept trying and trying until he felt frustrated. "Ah, shit, why is it so hard?!" He tried to grasp and move the drinking glass that was on the small table beside his hospital gurney.But no matter how hard he tried to move his muscles, even his fingers refused to do what his brain told them to do. The glass fell from his failing hand and shattered on the floor, with splinters scattered everywhere."Ah, asshole!" he cursed loudly in annoyance, his chest moving up and down with emotion, as well as his gaze, which seemed sharp and full of hatred. His memory returned to the moment when Richard had broken his hand and pretended to be in front of her. "You damn man! What has he done to me? I can't move my arm at all... argh!" Je screamed hysterically, walking around his bed while bent over, venting his emotions.His eyes reddened, his emotions overflowing with m
The stranger who was ordered by Edmund that day to kill Richard was currently waiting for the detailed information that Edmund provided in the form of Richard's identity, which they needed so that they would know their target precisely and not make a mistake."How have you received it? Have you heard from them?" One of the members who would be working with him was waiting impatiently.The man named Dave shook his head. "Not yet, still no details from them." He stared at his phone, waiting for Edmund's message.Dave at least went with three acquaintances who joined him in carrying out this plan. Together with him, there were a total of four people who would carry out the orders from Edmund. They were all ready in their all-black outfits and hats, wearing similarly colored masks and waiting in the van to get moving.Edmund had previously informed them when they would move. He had told them to get ready and just wait for the signal."Ah, here he is calling me." Dave showed his cell phone
One evening, after a few hours, more than one helicopter landed in the village area, and the whole village became crowded because of this.They did not expect that the missing person who had been searched for by the strangers who came to the village was still alive. To them, it was quite impossible; considering what the storm was like that day and the ocean was a fierce place, they did not think that the missing person was still safe and intact."Mr. Richard." Smith got off first and came to him hurriedly.The 45-year-old man hugged Richard so tightly and emotionally that he had almost given up hope in his quest to find Richard. He himself had even stopped hoping that the possibility of Richard being alive and somewhere was such a great miracle. He was alive and found somewhere.Smith released his embrace and looked at Richard with happiness mixed with emotion. "I'm glad you're okay, sir."After Smith let go, James, who was led by Rachel, hugged him tightly. "I trust you are doing wel
"Alright, then. Tomorrow, we will go to look for your family's whereabouts." Alexa made the choice; Richard looked at her, who seemed confused.Richard didn't understand why Alexa seemed so serious when they had never discussed it with obvious effort before. "Why all of a sudden?" he wondered if perhaps they no longer wanted him there. Is it possible that my presence is becoming inconvenient?"Alexa smiled with a shaded face, her head shook, and her hand rubbed lightly over the back of Richard's hand, trying to get his attention. "No, it's not. Your existence is not inconvenient at all; quite the opposite. I'm honestly grateful to have you here." Alexa pursed her lips tightly and turned her attention to stare straight back ahead.She stared at the vast and calm expanse of the sea. Her feelings about letting go of Richard were still quite reluctant. She had a great desire to keep Richard there, but she also didn't want to be selfish."Today my friend came to tell me that in the village
After finishing cleaning up, Richard went to Alexa, who also seemed to be cleaning up the glasses in their house's living room.Richard's eyes scanned the place, looking for the whereabouts of the guest whose voice had been heard earlier when he entered through the back door. "Has the guest gone home?" he glanced over and helped Alexa.Without hesitation, Richard's hand took over the tray Alexa was carrying and placed it in the kitchen. At the same time, Alexa followed suit, carrying the snack container. "Yes, they're home." She replied flatly, without any expression that sounded cheerful from her answer.Richard watched her, noticing something a little different about Alexa's demeanour compared to usual. He thought maybe the guests had affected her mood, or maybe something else was to blame. He wasn't sure exactly, but even he didn't want to ask if Alexa didn't seem to want to explain. "Who are the guests who came?" She made small talk while walking towards the dining table.Approach
"Jacob, where are you going?" one of the villagers greeted Richard, who seemed to be walking with an axe in his hand. "Are you heading to the forest?" he asked enthusiastically because he was happy to see Richard, one of the new residents there.Richard, who had just managed to turn around and look for who was talking to him, smiled and nodded. "Morning, Mr. Jack." He politely greeted the old man whom he recognized as Sam's friend."Yes, morning, young man." He smiled kindly in response to Richard's greeting. "If you have time, come to the house. You promised to help me yesterday when you were free."Richard nodded. "Later, when I am free, I will try to drop by, sir. " He selflessly helped some nearby neighbours who needed his help.It had been a month since he had been in that place, and now he was living a very normal life there. Just like everyone else, Richard also had his own activities. Sometimes, he joined some men to go fishing at sea, without him knowing that he used to be a
Sitting in his private room, James looked anxiously at the picture frame containing Richard's picture. For days, he had been waiting for news of Richard and conducted a massive search. But the search was ultimately fruitless. There were still no reports of Richard's whereabouts or any signs of him being stranded somewhere.Her worries grew as time passed. The first 24 hours after Richard disappeared were the golden hour to find his whereabouts and determine whether he was in good or bad condition.But a week had passed since then, and there was still no further news of his whereabouts."Is there still no sign of Richard's whereabouts?" James asked Smith in the room.His anxiety was rife with other things, his heart was in turmoil, and his feelings had become chaotic since Richard's whereabouts were declared missing.The news of Richard's disappearance made him not stop thinking about where Richard was and what the situation was like. His condition, which he continues to worry about, c
"What took you so long to come back?" Alexa, who was waiting there, turned her head and noticed Richard, who had just returned, walking over to her.Richard nodded his head. "In line." he took over the groceries held by Alexa.Telling her about what he experienced while inside earlier, for him, Alexa didn't need to know that the Baron was still bothering him. Apart from not wanting to make the woman anxious, he also didn't want Alexa to have a particular view of his attitude that could be considered rude by her.He smiled at the woman. "Do we have anything else to do? Or do you want us to go home?"Alexa helped Richard carry a few easy things to take to not burden Richard too much. "Let's just go home; it's too late. Tomorrow, I have to get up early to store breakfast because Dad will be leaving early in the morning." She started to leave the place, followed by Richard, who walked beside her."Tomorrow morning? Where is Sam going?""Dad said there is someone he needs to help. One of t
Alexa glanced at Richard with a gaze that stared strangely at him."Why are you looking at me like that?" Richard, who realized her gaze, then asked.Alexa headed back to stare straight ahead. "I was just wondering. How could you do that? When you did it earlier, I looked so expert. Unlike someone who just tried, your posture and then the techniques you used seemed to clearly show that you were an expert." She looked back at Richard in confusion. "Tell me, how did you do it?"Richard looked at her in silence for a while. Like Alexa, he was confused by what had been done. He did not expect that his ability was that great.The more he thought about it, the more astonished he became. He obviously didn't remember anything at all., but strangely, he could do it all so well. "I don't know., Richard shook his head as he replied. "I'm not sure myself what I'm doing and how I'm doing it so well. All I feel is that my body knows how to do it." He explained the confusion to Alexa.After hearing
"No, it can't be like that. I disagree that I should stay away from her." Baron rejected their agreement, which he agreed to without thinking.Obviously, Baron rejected Richard's request to limit his interaction with Alexa. He dared challenge Richard and felt hateful and annoyed at him because Alex was the reason. He didn't want any other man or Richard to get close to him.Baron has liked Alexa for a long time, and Jack, from their teenage stuff, has always followed and been attracted to her. But his feelings were unrequited because Alexa didn't show any interest in him at all.The Baron knew that. He knew that Alexa didn't like him, but he still tried to get close to her, hoping that someday Alexa would change her mind. He kept trying and never gave up because he thought that maybe his efforts would be rewarded with what he hoped for someday.But if he couldn't get close to her in the end just because he lost the bet, then his efforts all this time were futile and ridiculous.He sho
The two of them were now in their respective positions, wearing a set of arrows and getting ready in place. He arrows where they were. They were surrounded by people who wanted to witness the showdown between the two.On one side, Richard only came along with Alexa, who was currently so nervous and anxious about the possibility of Richard's condition getting a bad name with this challenge.On the other hand, Baron was surrounded by friends who were eager to see Richard defeated. The young men of the village clearly disliked Richard's existence and the way Richard behaved towards them.Specifically, they didn't need a reason to dislike Richard because even just looking at him could immediately make them dislike him and want to look down on him."Shouldn't you undo your intentions, Jacob?" Alexa approached him again and spoke in a worried tone.She was distraught, having promised her father that she would look after Richard. She would take Richard there with the insight that maybe from