The Richest God of War

9. How Could This Be?

The smell of warm food drifted up from the tray. Rosetta was hungry. For a moment she forgot how strange Richard was acting. She picked up a pancake and took a bite.

Her eyes widened. "Richard, this is amazing!"

"I used special ingredients," Richard said. "There's crispy bacon and hash browns in the kitchen too. Eat them with the pancakes." He stood and set the newspaper on the table. "Read today's paper while you eat. The news is very interesting."

Then he took out a pack of cigarettes and walked outside.

Mrs. Williams exploded. "Look at him! Smoking now! That useless man thinks he's a big shot! I don't care how you do it, Rosetta. Divorce him today! I don't want to see that coward for one more day!"

Rosetta was used to this. She set down her plate and steered her mother toward the kitchen. "Mom, don't say that. I'm the one who made him marry into this family. How can I just divorce him? Go eat. Richard made good food today."

"What good food can a useless man cook? I couldn't swallow a bite of his junk all year!" Even so, Mrs. Williams went into the kitchen.

At last it was quiet. Rosetta sat down and began to eat. Then she paused.

The wedding had drained the family's money. All the maids and cooks had been let go, and Richard, the live-in son-in-law, had done the housework and cooking for a year.

But in all that time, his food had never tasted like this. It was as good as a luxury hotel's. What had happened? Had he suddenly become a master chef?

It was a silly thought. But it was true.

Now that his memory was back, so were his cooking skills. He had lived ten thousand years. He had learned the cuisine of every land, east to west and north to south. The best chefs in the world couldn't match him.

Rosetta's eyes drifted to the newspaper.

*The news is very interesting.* She remembered his words and leaned closer.

Then she gasped. "Yvette! Come look at this!"

Yvette ran out with a piece of bacon in her hand, her mouth shiny with grease. "What?"

"The newspaper!"

The headline was huge. An accident had happened at the Regal Hotel at midnight. Wilfred Wade, son of financial giant Fletcher Wade, had fallen from the building while drunk and died on the spot.

The Wade family wasn't the richest or strongest in Albany, but they were very powerful, and Wilfred was the heir. His death could shake the whole family's future. No wonder it was on the front page.

But to Rosetta, it was a shock. Wilfred had called her last night. He had told her to spend the day with him, or the loan would be blocked. And now he was dead.

"Sis," Yvette said slowly. "If Wilfred is dead, does that mean we can still get the loan?"

Rosetta hadn't told anyone about the call itself. But she had told Yvette that Wilfred was behind the blocked loan, without saying why. Yvette had guessed. She would never let her sister pay with her honor for a loan. And now the man who wanted her sister was dead. Maybe there was a new chance.

Rosetta didn't know what to say. Wilfred had blocked the loan, but he wasn't the one who approved it. She couldn't be sure of anything.

Then another thought struck her. *Why did Richard want me to read this paper? Why did he say it was interesting? Does he know about Wilfred's call?*

For no reason she could name, her heart skipped.

Then the doorbell rang.

Both sisters looked up. Who would visit this early?

"Richard! Where is that useless man? Get the door!" Mrs. Williams shouted from the kitchen.

But Richard was already outside. He opened the door.

A man in a suit and white shirt came in, looking nervous. His eyes went straight to Rosetta and Yvette, and he put on a wide, eager smile. "Miss Williams. Mrs. Williams. Good morning. I'm sorry to come so early."

Yvette's mouth fell open. "Mr. Martin? What are you doing here?"

"Yvette, who is it?" Mrs. Williams called.

"Mom, it's Mr. Martin. The general manager of Albany City Bank!"

Mrs. Williams jumped up and rushed to the door. "Richard! Bring Mr. Martin some coffee or tea!"

"No, no, Mrs. Williams." Mr. Martin quickly waved her off and even pulled her back. "Thank you, but I don't need anything. I'll go as soon as I'm done."

"What is this about, Mr. Martin?"

He opened his briefcase and took out some papers. "It's about your loan. The loan officer who blocked it was arrested last night for stealing from the bank. I'm handling it myself now. Please read the contract. If it looks fine, sign it, and we'll try to send the money today."

Yvette froze. She could hardly believe it.

Rosetta took the contract and scanned it. Her eyes widened. "Mr. Martin, are you sure this is right? Why is the interest rate so low?"

"What?" Yvette leaned in. Her eyes went wide too.

The rate was almost ninety percent lower than a normal loan. It was like being handed free money.

The general manager of Albany City Bank had come to their door at dawn to give them money.

*What is going on?*