2025-10-08 02:11:45Richard stared at the words on the holographic panel in front of him. He could not make sense of what was happening to him right now.
"Hahahahahaha! I get it, those thugs must have hit me so hard that I'm seeing things right now." As he was about to stand up, the words and the holographic panel dissolved as if they were never there.
"Yep! I knew I was hallucinating." Richard stood up, he could see his clothes didn't look anything presentable. He couldn't walk around the street of the estate looking like he committed a genocide.
«Ding!
System Integration Complete.»
The holographic panel was back again. "Seriously!?"
«Startup package awarded.
Bonding reward (Lvl 1): For every hour Host has the Trillionaire System, $500 will be awarded to host.»
Richard was stunned. He was thinking of taking off his bloodied T-shirt and then jog back to the Warren mansion, but now, he's considering staying put, for at least an hour.
"Not like I've got anything to lose. Might as well check if this system of a thing is real, or simply something my banged up brain conjured."
ONE HOUR LATER!
Richard had found a clean place to sit. He had also taken off the bloodied T-shirt as it had begun to stink.
Just then, his phone vibrated. Richard reached his pocket and brought out his outdated Apple iPhone. On the screen was a message he was waiting for but still didn't believe it will come.
'Credit Alert:
United Bank of Alvarez:
$500 has been transferred to your account.
Sender: xxxxxxxxx'
"Hehehehe. Now this is something I never expected to see." Richard chuckled. There was no way he won't believe in the system stuff now. Seeing the transfer alert on his phone, he knew it was real.
"Five hundred dollars for every hour, huh?" Richard muttered and did the math.. "That's twelve grand everyday!!!" Richard's eyes went as wide as a Martian saucer, "HOLY FRIGGIN COW! In a month!!!?? That's $360,000! And that's just for level one.. what happens when it levels up!" A crazy grin found its way to his lips. He was a pauper no more.. but then his mind went back to what had happened earlier. He was targeted because he was poor and without backing.. he was a nobody.. and worse he didn't even know who sent those thugs.
"Someone certainly wants me death for some reason, and I haven't offended anyone. Hmm, for the meantime, no one must know of what I posses, not even Diane." Richard muttered, "Well, first things first, let me get a clean set of clothes."
*
Richard walked into a cafe. He had left the Valerian Estate and decided to get some coffee and clear his head a bit. He had bought a plain T-shirt at a Mall inside the Estate.. but just like the Estate itself, the commodities in the mall were expensive.. the cheapest was $500. Having about $750 in his account, Richard had bought the cheapest T-shirt for $500. Now in a clean plain T-shirt and a dirtied trouser, Richard walked into a cafe a few minutes walk from the estate.
"What can I get you, Sir?" A sweet voice asked him. The waitress smiled at him, but he could see the smile wasn't genuine, just a mask. Not like he was complaining, his dressing gave off the impression of a homeless man.
"Cappuccino, and Brownies." Richard replied. The lady's smile didn't fade until she turned and went to get his order.
Just then, a lady in her early twenties walked in. The chiming of the bell at the door drew Richard's attention, but the moment he saw the face of the lady he walked in, he wished he hadn't looked up.
"Oh, if it isn't Richard Tucker. Didn't fancy seeing you here." The lady spoke, but her tone was laced with disdain. "Are you running an errand for your inlaws or you're here on break?" She then chuckled at her own words.
"Hello Jenna." Richard greeted her, the lack of enthusiasm in his voice made it apparent he didn't want her near him.. but she still took a seat at his table and sat in front of him.
Jenna Parker, Richard's former college classmate, and crush. She had once told him back in college, that unless he had a million dollar in his account before graduation, she will never accept him as her boyfriend. When the scandal between Richard and Diane was released, she was the one who spread the news on the school forum, which made Richard to leave the group.. and now she was here of all places.
"Found a job yet?" She asked with feigned concern on her face. Richard didn't respond.
"Honestly, I didn't know I'll meet you here.. will you mind buying me a cup of coffee, for old time sake." Her eyes fluttered and her face had a pleading expression, but Richard didn't fall for it. She knew he was penniless.
"Oh my!" She softly exclaimed with feigned surprised. "Oh goodness me! I forgot you have no money on you! My bad." She smiled.
Richard simply stared at her with a bored expression on his face, 'Great, I have just returned from a physical death, and now I'm about to be psychologically murdered.. hopefully I get another system.'
Just then, the waitress brought the cup of cappuccino and a plate of brownies to Richard. Richard thanked her and quietly sipped his cappuccino.
"Tsk! A cup of cappuccino and brownies, I can't believe this is what you've been reduced to. Its a good thing I didn't accept you then, if I did, who knew what part of the slums I'd have found myself living in by now." She gestured to the waitress to come.
"Latte, single-origin coffee, and a gourmet sandwich." Jenna said an air of authority. The waitress flashed a genuine smile and scurried off to get the order. Her attitude inflated Jenna's ego, and she turned back to Richard who quietly munching on the brownie.
"Unlike your penniless self, I happen earn annual salary of $60,000." Jenna said with pride.
Richard almost burst out laughing.. did she just say annual? That's a fraction of what he now makes monthly. Right then his phone vibrated again, Richard knew the system had sent him another $500. Richard checked the time and realized it was getting late. He should get back to the mansion.
"My birthday is in a week from now. If you do show up, I will consider filling your belly, but in return you'll serve my guests." She said as if she was certain Richard will be at her birthday party. She opened her purse, took a piece of paper and pen and scribbled on the paper, then slid it towards Richard.
"That's my address, I'll have food ready for you, and perhaps a few hundred dollars, but you'll get it only after the party is over." She didn't even look up at Richard while saying this, but rather went back to her sandwich.
Richard didn't even glance at the paper, he simply stood up, walked to the counter and made a transfer to pay for the coffee and brownies, then walked out of the cafe. To him, Jenna no longer mattered, she was now beneath him, just as the Richardsons will soon be beneath him.
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CHAPTER 137: A Joyous Room
Morning came with grey clouds and heavy air.The kind of morning that made even strong people feel small.Richard stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie slowly. His face looked calm, but his eyes carried weight. Not fear. Not yet. Just deep focus, like a man walking into fire with his head up.Behind him, Diane watched quietly.“You don’t have to look so calm,” she said softly. “It’s okay to show that you’re human.”He smiled faintly. “If I show them I’m afraid, they will feed on it.”She stepped closer. “And if you’re not afraid?”“Then they’ll try to make me afraid,” he replied.Downstairs, Victor was already on his third cup of coffee. His screens were alive with feeds, legal updates, security pings, social media heat, and quiet messages from people who were watching the board meeting closely.Andrew paced like a restless lion.“They smile too much in those rooms,” he muttered. “I hate rooms where people smile before they strike.”Kathleen held her Bible close to her chest
Chapter 136
Morning arrived without warmth.The safe house felt smaller than it had the night before, as if the walls had shifted inward while they slept. The television was muted now, flashing headlines in bold red banners:MARKET UNCERTAINTY DEEPENSMAJOR FOUNDATIONS UNDER REVIEWFINANCIAL INTEGRITY QUESTIONS RAISEDThey never mentioned Richard by name.They didn’t need to.Victor stood near the dining table, a tablet in his hand, reading through overnight updates. His expression was controlled, but his jaw was tight.Andrew paced.Kathleen hadn’t slept.Gerald was trying to look composed and failing.Diane walked into the room quietly, her hair tied back, her face pale but steady. She looked at Richard first.He was already awake. Already dressed. Already thinking.He hadn’t slept either.“They’ve escalated,” Victor said finally.Richard nodded once. “Tell me.”“The audit panel expanded its authority at midnight. They’re requesting emergency compliance hearings within seventy-two hours.”Andre
CHAPTER 135: The Weight of Silence
Night settled like a heavy blanket over the city, thick and restless.At the safe house, the air felt tight, as if even breathing too loudly might trigger something terrible. The television played quietly in the background, showing news anchors discussing “ongoing investigations,” “powerful families,” and “possible financial misconduct.” They never said names, but everyone in the room knew exactly who they meant.Diane stood by the window again, the same place she had been in the morning. The city lights blinked like distant stars, cold and indifferent.Kathleen sat close to Gerald this time, her hand gripping his arm as if she feared he might disappear.Andrew leaned forward in a chair, elbows on his knees, eyes fixed on the floor.Victor worked silently, typing, listening, watching.Richard stood near the center, arms crossed, listening to everything and everyone, but saying very little.The silence was finally broken by Kathleen.“I can’t take this,” she whispered. “Every sound mak
Chapter 134: Uncovered Secret
Morning did not come with peace.It came with tension that crawled under the skin and refused to leave.At the safe house, no one had truly slept. Even when their eyes closed, their minds stayed awake, running through possibilities, dangers, and silent threats.Diane stood by the window, watching the sun rise slowly between buildings. The light was beautiful, but it did nothing to ease her heart.Kathleen sat on the couch, holding a warm cup of tea she had not touched. Her hands shook slightly.Gerald paced the room, stopping every few steps to check his phone, then starting again.Andrew leaned against the wall, arms crossed, jaw tight.Victor sat before his screens, eyes sharp, fingers ready.And Richard… Richard stood in the center of them all, calm on the surface, but carrying the weight of everyone’s fear inside his chest.The silence was heavy.Then Victor spoke.“He’s reacting.”Everyone turned.“Sean?” Richard asked.“Yes,” Victor said. “His network is moving. Quietly. But fas
CHAPTER 133: Meeting In The Dark
Night wrapped the city in a thick, uneasy silence.The rain had stopped, but the streets were still wet, reflecting lights like broken mirrors. Cars moved slowly. People hurried under umbrellas. Nobody knew that, in one quiet corner of the city, two powerful forces were about to sit across from each other.Richard arrived first.The place was an old private lounge on the top floor of a hotel that no longer welcomed the public. It was clean, quiet, and empty, except for one table and two chairs facing each other. Soft yellow light hung from the ceiling. Thick curtains covered the windows.Victor had insisted on checking everything.“No listening devices. No hidden cameras. No extra staff,” Victor had said through the earpiece. “But remember, with men like Brian, the real danger is never in the room. It’s in what they already planned before they walked in.”Richard answered calmly, “I know.”He stood by the table, hands in his pockets, his face unreadable.A few minutes later, the door
CHAPTER 132: Breaking the silence
Rain fell harder through the night.Not the soft, gentle kind, but the kind that beat against windows and roofs like impatient fingers. Inside the safe house, no one slept. The storm outside matched the storm inside their hearts.Victor’s screens glowed in the dark like watchful eyes. Lines of data moved, messages popped in and out, calls were made, calls were ignored, calls were returned in low, urgent voices.Diane sat curled on the couch, her arms around her knees. She watched Richard stand by the window, unmoving, staring into the rain like he could see the future written in it.She finally spoke. “When you said you would talk to Brian… what exactly do you plan to say?”Richard didn’t turn at first. “I plan to remind him who his real enemy is.”Andrew scoffed softly. “He thinks you are his enemy.”Richard nodded. “Yes. And that is why he will listen. Because he believes I am strong enough to hurt him. Men like Brian only respect danger.”Kathleen shifted in her seat. “But he hates
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