The Deceitful Son-in-law

Chapter 3

 Richard crawled up the stairs to the room Ken requested to see him. When he got to the room, he was exhausted, streams of sweat running down his face. He unlocked the door and stepped into the room still on his knees.

 Immediately, Ken recognized his presence. He turned around and was shocked to see Richard on his knees. "Young master!" he exclaimed, helping Richard to get up.

 "Thanks, Ken," Richard appreciated.

 "Who did this to you," Ken requested.

 "There is no need to tell you, besides, if you knew, what will you do."

 "I will get the person arrested right away, these people are so inhuman, they have sold their souls to the devil.

 "There is no need for that Ken, I chose this path myself. So why did you call me up here?"

 "First master, I am very sorry for everything I said down there."

 "First, you don't have to be sorry," Richard chuckled. "You were only following my orders. Second, my name is Richard, I am not a young master, I will really appreciate it if you call me by my name."

 "Okay, young master... I mean Rich...chard," Ken stammered.

 "Was that why you called me up here, to apologize?"

 "Partially, I have a great burden in my heart young master."

 "It seems it takes long before you learn."

 "I am sorry young master, that is how I was trained."

 "If it's fine by you, then it is okay with me."

 "But young master, why are you doing this to yourself, Ken inquired.

 "I don't get you, doing what?"

 "I meant behaving like a poor man, allowing yourself to be trampled upon and ridiculed by the Weldoms who aren't even worthy to clean the  dust off your shoes."

 "I know you are sympathetic towards me but you don't have to, it is my choice."

 "For God's sake Richard Armstrong, your father is the leader of the highest-ranking family among the top ten families. They are not even among the top ten families In the country, they rank fifty with a net worth of two billion dollars. They are rated lower first class. I am sorry for that master."

 For the first time in twelve complete months, this is the first time someone was calling him by his full name. 

 "Don't be," Richard replied."

 "Young Master, your father can buy the whole of the Weldom's fortune without feeling it. I don't like the way they are treating you. A dog will be more honoured than you are before them, you have to return to your father."

 "Ken, my father's wealth is my father's wealth, I will be rich but not by the riches of my father. He went through a lot to get to where he is now." Richard remembered the story of how his father started as an automobile spare part dealer back then in the sixties.

 "Okay, if you don't want to return for your sake, at least for your father's sake."

 "What is wrong with my father."

 "My master is sick, he wants to see his only son. He didn't get much time to feel your presence when you returned from your studies. The family do not even know you, You were just sixteen when you left the country. If the master eventually dies today, his relatives will divide the spoils of his wealth among themselves. Everybody thinks you are not interested in your father's business," Ken lamented.

 Even Richard felt homesick, he also wanted to see his father. It was just a week after he returned from the United States, Mr. Davis Armstrong organized a get-together party so he will get to know his relatives. A day before the party, he went to Felix's lounge in the disguise of a poor man. He met with Victoria and he eventually fell in love with her. However, they talked about the Armstrong family and Victoria revealed her strong hatred toward the family. Richard was confused. Then, he returned to his father and told him he was going to another part of the city to seek for his own wealth . His father agreed but made him to accept Ken as his chief security officer. It was a sorrowful experience. And ever since, he has not set his eyes on the old man.  All for love.

 "I can't return to my father Ken, I need a little more time."

 "No master, I said your father is dying. He doesn't even know that you are married. Besides, you have gotten what you wanted, you are now married to Victoria. The one that struck your heart. Why not take her to your father before he joins his ancestors."

 "That is why I can't return to my father. How will I face him and lie to him that am still single? And Victoria won't hear anything about the Armstrong family, she will divorce me immediately I inform her that I am Mr. Davis Armstrong's only son. I need more time to convince Victoria that the Armstrongs aren't what she thinks they are."

 "But come to think of it, young master. Victoria said the Armstrong family treated any other family that is not ranked first-class like thrash. But isn't that the same way you are being treated now? Or even worse. Just look at the way are relatives are treating you, like thrash."

 "Sooner or later, they will persuade Victoria to start treating you like thrash," Ken noted.

 "I wish you knew," Richard thought. "Victoria treats me worse than her relatives."

 "That is true," Richard said trying to conceal the truth. "I will hurry up with whatever ever I am doing."

 "That's is what you have been saying for over six months now young master," Ken said frustrated.

 "This time, it is different Ken, when I said soon, I meant real soon. But before I reveal my true identity, I will surely make the Weldoms pay for every single pain they have caused. This time, I will turn the table around, and they will come to me on their knees. Especially Victoria's mum, Lady Tashia, and that Charles.

 "It is worth it but what do you intend to do master."

 "Bankrupt."

 "I didn't get you, master."

 "I intend to make them go bankrupt," Richard said smiling mischievously to himself. 

 "In the meantime, continue acting like the rich son in law while I buy more time. You are already doing a nice job but I want you to intensify your efforts. Once get downstairs, I want you to rain insults on me, call me names. You are forgiven already."

 "What.." Ken exclaimed.

 "You heard me right."

 "I can not do that young master," Ken argued..

 "You will Ken, it is an order."

 Ken sighed.

 "One more thing Ken, your relationship with Rachael will not last long, you will soon be breaking up with her."

 "As you wish master," Ken said with a slight bow. "I was engaged to her according to your orders."

 "Good to hear," Richard commended.