Richard raced out of the house like a man on a mission. The early morning air brushed against his face as he buttoned up his blazer and hurried toward the main road. His mind was filled with only one thought—Sarah Robertson. He was already late. The system’s warning still ringed in his head like a ticking bomb.He hailed a taxi and jumped in before the driver could even ask where he was going. “Golden Crest Cafeteria,” Richard said quickly.The driver whistled softly. “That place’s for rich folks, sir. Are you sure you’re heading there?”Richard smiled faintly. “Just drive. I’ll pay.”He leaned back, running his hand through his hair. The suit he wore was clean and well-fitted, one of the ones he had bought from the boutique earlier. His wristwatch shined under the sunlight, and the faint scent of his new cologne filled the air inside the cab. He looked expensive, and that was exactly what he wanted.Still, deep down, he was a bit nervous. The Golden Crest wasn’t a place just anyon

Richard stood still, his heart pounding fast. The words echoed in his head like thunder.A kiss.He stared at Sarah, unsure what to say. For a moment, he thought she was joking, but the calm and confident look on her face told him she wasn’t.“I don’t understand,” he said slowly. “You mean you’ll give me the contract… if I kiss you?”Sarah folded her arms, watching his every move. “Yes. One simple kiss. That’s my condition.”Richard looked away. He didn’t want this. He had promised himself never to betray his wife, Dianne. She was the only person who stayed with him when everyone else turned their back. She was the reason he kept fighting. Even when her family threw him out and called him worthless, she still held his hand and said, ‘We’ll make it.’And now… this?“I can’t,” Richard said, his voice low. “Please, don’t do this.”Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Don’t do what? It’s just a kiss. Not a marriage proposal.”“It’s not just a kiss to me,” Richard replied, his tone firm. “I’m marrie

Richard stood by the large iron gate of the Robertson mansion, staring at the signed papers in his hand. His fingers trembled slightly as he touched the edges of the document.The Denali Clean Energy contract.He still couldn’t believe it was real.He had done it. He had finally achieved what everyone said he could never do. The signature on the last page was clear and sharp—his own.For a moment, pride filled his chest. He had won. He had done it all on his own without anyone’s help. But it was all thanks to this mysterious system which bestowed him with what he had wanted. Money..But then another thought crept in.He had signed the contract in his own name. The Warren family had said he was useless, that he would never be anything more than a poor man living off their daughter. They made fun of him, called him weak, and threw him out of their house.Now, this contract could change everything. It could make him one of the richest men in the city. If he wanted, he could build his ow

The slap still rang in Richard’s ears as silence filled the large company hall. Kathleen Warren stood firm, her chest rising and falling with anger, while Dianne clung to Richard’s arm, trying to keep him steady. His cheek still burned from her hand, but he didn’t move. He knew this fight wasn’t over — not yet.Kathleen’s eyes were sharp as knives as she looked between Richard and Brian. “You think you can walk in here and embarrass my family? You think one little scene can change what we already know about you?”Richard said nothing. He only stared back, calm and quiet. He had earlier wanted to speak up but the firm hands of Dianne pressed against his arms had him under control. Kathleen turned to Brian with a softer tone. “Don’t mind him, Brian. He’s just desperate. Trying to make himself look good in front of everyone.”Brian adjusted his tie and tried to recover from his earlier shock. “Mrs. Warren, you don’t have to explain anything. Some people just don’t know when to accept d