Chapter 466

Grelle's departure contrasted sharply with her vibrant entrance. Barely had she crossed the threshold when she heard the servants murmuring behind her: "Hurry up and clean up. Don't leave a single footprint."

"Does it have to be disinfected?"

"Definitely."

As the murmurs faded, Grelle stood, embarrassment evident on her face. 'I've put in so much effort,' she thought, 'and this is how I'm treated?' Resentment and grievance welled up in her heart.

She made a decision: she wouldn't leave. She would stay at Royal Bay's door until Richard returned and saw her.

On the top floor of Royal Tower, the floor-to-ceiling windows gleamed. In his clean, tidy, and luxurious office, Richard sat lazily in a leather chair, impeccably dressed in an expensive, custom-made suit. His every movement was noble and elegant, exuding a forbidding aura—cold and charming. Yet, his perfect face held a shockingly horrible expression; a cold glint shone in his dark eyes.

The CEO's office felt oppressive, as if a storm were brewing.

Tyrone nervously placed documents on the desk. Trying to steady his breath, he said, "Mr. Hampton, these are the documents requiring your signature"

"Put them down and get out," Richard said calmly, his voice laced with bone-chilling indifference.

Tyrone immediately left. The glass door closed, revealing Sidney, Garry, and John.

A tense silence followed. Finally, Garry said aggrievedly, "Richard, I handled company matters while you were asleep. Even if I didn't make significant contributions, I worked hard. I shouldn't be punished, right?"

"What do you think?" Richard asked with a faint smile.

Garry fell silent, daring not to answer. He secretly poked Sidney, urging him to speak.

Sidney rolled his eyes. Can't he see? he thought. A man who's been asleep for days wants to settle scores. Would I dare speak up now? This so-called brotherhood is so fragile.

John, however, stepped forward. "Mr. Hampton, it's my fault."

A few days earlier, the city's engagement party had been a spectacle, requiring extensive security measures. Roads were blocked, hotels closed. John hadn't anticipated anything going wrong.

He lowered his head. "Mr. Hampton, I failed to protect you. I accept my punishment."

As he spoke, a document fell at his feet. Richard's eyes were cold, filled with hostility. "You were wrong to terminate the contract with the Kelley family. You were wrong to allow others to suppress them! John, how dare you?"

John looked up, seeing a report from a subordinate at Royal Bay inquiring about future collaborations with the Kelley family following the assassination attempt at the engagement party. In his anger, John had ordered the collaboration canceled. This triggered other businesses to follow suit, suppressing the Kelley family. Their stock plummeted, causing massive losses. The Kelley family became the target of public criticism; Tiffany faced intense online backlash. Their villa was even vandalized.

"I didn't do anything wrong," John stubbornly replied. He accepted blame for failing to protect Richard, but not for the Kelley family fallout.

Richard rose, his shirt collar undone, his indifference masked by intense killing intent. With a sudden movement, John was thrown against the glass wall.

Richard ordered, "Get out and to the darkroom for your punishment."

"Yes," John replied, struggling to rise, blood on his lips. Before leaving, he stubbornly added, "Mr. Hampton, this can't happen again. If you continue to indulge that woman, I'm afraid"

Murderous intent filled the room. Richard's face was terrifyingly grim. "Another fifty lashes."

"Yes," John said, leaving.

Sidney and Garry exchanged glances. They'd planned to plead for leniency, but John's outburst had backfired.

They remained silent. This was the first time Richard had been so enraged. If John weren't close to him, he would have been killed.

Garry's heart pounded. He realized he'd tacitly approved John's decisions. Seeing Richard's sharp gaze, he bolted, fearing for his life. Sidney watched him flee, leaving him alone with Richard.

Sidney sighed. "Actually, I think John's concerns are valid. Do you know how serious your injuries were? If not for Grelle from Melvor Mountain Village sending medicine, you would have died!"

Richard let out a cold laugh. His eyes were emotionless. "Do you think my recovery was solely due to the medicine?"

"Wasn't it?" Sidney asked, confused. He'd witnessed it himself.

[The passage ends abruptly here.]