The Return Of The Sole Heir

Chapter 3 His Plight

Richard had no choice but to show up for the dinner date just this once to satisfy his grandfather who is still in sadness because of the death of his father. Richard had said to himself that this is the last inconvenience he will be taking for his grandfather.

His flashy car was parked outside of the fancy restaurant and one of his guards came to open the door for him. According to the plan his father made, no single soul can be found in the restaurant except for the workers and his guards who came along with him.

Richard is a public figure being one of the youngest billionaires and only heir to the Big E dynasty and the death of his parents which was just a week ago his grandfather decided to keep the pre-wedding a low key so as not to draw unnecessary attention to his son until the wedding day.

"Welcome to Top-notch restaurant." A woman in white welcomed Richard the moment he stepped foot into the big building. Without sparing her a look or saying a word Richard walked past her with a deep frown on his face like someone who was forced here. Of course, he was forced.

The waitress followed him behind and she showed him a place where his date for the night was seated.

She was putting on heavy makeup that can make one not to remember without makeup and she was putting on a pink dress that makes her look like Barbie in Disney world.

"Hello." Elizabeth raised her head from her phone the moment she heard the cracking of a chair on the well-tailed floor and Richard sat opposite her.

"Hi." Richard greeted her nonchalantly.

They both state their orders and they went back to pressing their phones and total silence descended on them as if they were here to observe the silence.

"I'm Richard, the grandson of Erich Donald, your grandfather's closest friend." Richard introduces himself while trying to create a conversation between them.

"I'm Elizabeth Hallow the only daughter of the Hallow household my father is the second richest man in Nethercity, he has real estate, he has numerous schools in the city and across other places, he has…"

"He has many companies all over the world. He is in charge of their family's golden treasure that is worth over 40 billion dollars." Richard cut her off and he rolled his eyes at her pompous attitude and her stupid show-off.

Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise. She didn't expect Richard to know about her family's secret treasure and even its worth which they have never said to the outside world.

"You don't have to look that way, I already did my research," Richard said as he started feasting on his food.

Elizabeth couldn't help but let out a sigh of frustration. "I can't believe this is the best restaurant in town," she said, wrinkling her nose at the modest decor as she looked around with a frown.

Richard chuckled and shook his head. "You know, money doesn't buy good taste," he said, trying to keep the conversation light.

But Elizabeth was not amused. "Oh please," she said, rolling her eyes. "You may have money, but you have no class."

Richard's smile faded a bit at Elizabeth's rude comment. "I'm sorry you feel that way," he said, trying to keep his cool.

She only huffed and looked away, scanning the menu. "I'll just have the caviar and champagne," she said pushing her food to the side with disgust

Richard couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the lady's arrogant demeanor. He had thought they might have a nice evening together, but it was clear that she was only interested in his wealth and growing her family business. He made a mental note to never see her again.

"Where are you off to?" Elizabeth asked, seeing how suddenly Richard got up from his chair.

Checking his wristwatch and shifting his attention back to her he said "My time for this date is ten minutes so my time is up and nice having this time with you." Without waiting for her to utter a word Richard turned around and he started walking away with about three guards following him behind, all dressed in black.

"Hello, Felicia," Richard said, picking up his ringing phone from his suit pocket. "Okay, I will send you the money now."

Richard walked inside the big mansion and tossed his car key angrily on the chair as he made his way inside his room. He didn't bother to go check on his grandfather in his room because he knew he would be asleep since it was getting late.

Just when he was about to take the stairs up to his room his grandma's voice stopped him from going further.

"How was the date?" Mr. Eric asked, coming out from one of the numerous rooms in the building.

"Not great," Richard said angrily and he turned to walk away.

"Wait." His father stopped him and he took a closer step toward Richard when he was close enough he gave him a hard slap across his face.

"You stupid boy!" He yelled, "Did you know how many years it took me and your father to grow this family up to this stage."

"Grandpa," Richard called with a sad expression, this is the first time his grandpa would be getting angry with him.

"Now that your parents are gone, for us to keep the Big E dynasty at the top you need to step up and take your responsibility as the only heir of this family."

Richard stood at a spot confused at his grandfather's rash reaction. He had attended the date just to keep his mind at peace because of the tragic moments he is passing through, so why the anger?

"I went on the date…"

Before Richard could complete his words Mr. Eric moved closer to him and gave him a hard slap across his face again and this got Richard stunned for a while.

"You are supposed to make Elizabeth happy, why did you leave her alone at the restaurant?"

"Oh." Richard raised a brow at his grandfather as his hand clenched in a tight fist beside him he was angry with the fact that his grandfather hit him for the first time because of her.

"She is not my type of woman and I will let you go this once because you are my grandfather no one will hit me this way and go scot-free." With that, Richard turned around to leave.

"Stop there!" Mr. Eric yelled but he paid a deaf ear to his command. "If you don't marry Elizabeth then you can't be the heir to the Big E dynasty." Mr. Eric declares as if the time stop moving Richard paused.

At this mention of these words, Richard's legs remain stuck on the floor and he paused for a while before turning to face his grandfather, his expression looking shocked and cold.

He wasn't like this because of the threat but he was surprised that his father was ready to throw him away easily because of one pompous spoiled brat like Elizabeth.

"Fine…I will leave, you can go find another heir but I won't be trapped under your command." With that Richard walked past his grandfather towards the door but before he could open the door his father stopped him.

"Richard." He called with his voice engraved with sadness that touched Richard's heart and he promised to forgive his grandfather if he asked for forgiveness and revise his statement.

Slowly he turned around and faced the old man with so much emotion in his eyes though he was trying to hide it.

"Drop the car key and your card. If you really want to break out from the Big E dynasty then you should be ready to start your own life from afresh."

Richard's heart skipped a bit at his grandfather's blunt words. He knew this man to be a strong person that doesn't allow his emotions to sway him but he never expected him to be this mean in a situation like when he is the only heir of the family.

Even at an old age, Mr. Eric is still the same strong-headed man.

Giving his grandfather a last heartbreaking look Richard walks over to the table and he drops his debit card and car key on the glass table.

"Take care of yourself grandpa and don't expect me back, not until I become the man I wanted to be on my own without our family influence."

And with that, he walked out of the cold street of Nethercity that night, and as Mr. Eric watched his grandson leave the tears he had been holding came streaming down his cheeks heavily.

I will become a great man even without the Big E dynasty and when I have made it I will come back and fight those who caused my parent's death. Richard promised himself as he walked away from the big mansion to start a life from scratch.