Marcus couldn’t help but feel a swell of gratitude for Cynthia’s hospitality. The warmth of the drinks and her thoughtful gestures did little to ease the storm brewing inside him, but it was a small comfort.However, his phone buzzed, an urgent call from the office flashing on the screen. He glanced at Richard, who was still sipping his drink, lost in his own thoughts.“I’ll be back shortly, let me answer this call from the office,” Marcus said, his voice strained as he excused himself. He knew the call was important, but the guilt of leaving Richard alone weighed on him. Still, he needed to answer it.Richard nodded absently, his mind drifting back to the conversation with Amelia that had shaken him to his core. The image of her face, filled with disbelief and hurt, haunted him. How could I have kept this from her? The weight of the secret he’d been carrying for so long now felt unbearable, especially after today’s confrontation. Amelia’s anger was justified, but it left him with an o

After the class ended, Charles and Oliver made their way toward Richard, eager to hear what he had promised to share with them. Richard had previously mentioned that there was something important he wanted to discuss, and the weight of that statement had left them both curious and concerned.Richard was already packing up his bag when Charles and Oliver approached him.“Hope you enjoyed the class, Richard,” Charles asked, his tone casual, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.“Yes, I did,” Richard replied, his voice steady. “I really enjoyed how the lecturer explained body metabolism, especially using those structures and pathways. If I hadn’t attended the class today, it would have been a problem for me, but now I feel like I completely understand what was explained.”Charles smiled, nodding in approval. “It’s always good to attend class and learn, huh? But about what you said earlier… Can you tell us now? What’s this important thing you wanted to discuss with us?”Richard

Richard had made up his mind. It was time to show his friends the new life he had stepped into. They had stood by him during the toughest moments of his life, and now it was time to share with them the truth about who he had become.“Will you guys come with me to see the mansion I got for myself?” Richard asked, his voice carrying an air of finality.His friends were still grappling with the truth he had revealed earlier, processing the fact that he was no longer the Richard they had known—the struggling orphan working as a waiter—but instead the heir to the Morgan Empire. The reality of it was sinking in, and the idea of visiting his new mansion seemed almost too surreal to believe.“We would definitely love to,” Christabel replied, her voice filled with excitement.Her words were filled with the kind of enthusiasm that reflected how everyone felt. They were eager to see what kind of life Richard had now entered, especially considering his new status as the heir of one of the most pow

Richard had meticulously planned his next steps to deal with Maxwell Crane, but he wasn’t ready to share every detail with his friends just yet. The final arrangements still needed to be made, and he wanted everything to fall into place before bringing them fully into the fold. For now, he kept the plan to himself.It was already late morning, and the clock was ticking. Mr. Ethan's class would start at 10:00 a.m., so Richard and his friends had to head back to their dorms to prepare.“Thank you so much, Richard, for this luxury treatment you’ve given us,” Christabel said, her voice full of genuine appreciation. “We might never experience this kind of treatment again.”Richard chuckled softly, a hint of pride in his smile. “You don’t have to say it like that. You’re always welcome here. We’re friends, after all. This is what friends do for each other. Whenever you feel like visiting, just let me know, and I’ll make sure everything’s ready for you.”His words rang with sincerity, and his

Christabel and Emily sat there, waiting for Richard to reveal the roles they would be playing in the mission. The excitement in the air was palpable, but so was the anticipation. Each of them had agreed to support Richard, but now that the plan was taking shape, they wanted to know exactly what part they’d be playing.“Christabel, you’ll be working as a waitress,” Richard began, his voice steady and confident. “You’ll assist Charles in gathering information for me, keeping an eye on any potential danger, and ensuring everything stays on track.”Christabel nodded immediately, the role aligning with her strengths. She was used to thinking on her feet and managing multiple tasks at once. She could do this without hesitation.But Emily’s face darkened as Richard moved on to the next part of the plan. She had been listening carefully, but when her name wasn’t mentioned right away, confusion turned to frustration. She opened her mouth, her voice tinged with hurt.“Richard, how could you comp