31 Leroy Richmond

After sharing a pleasant dinner together, Alex Maxwell and Lily Lambert stay at a prestigious hotel in the center of Leven.

Their room was located on the higher part of the high-rise building, giving a gorgeous view of the city. Although Lily and Alex were less impressed by the landscape, they were more engrossed in the taste of the sweet wine the hotel provided for the two.

And even if Lily was nervous at first about being alone in a room with a man, she loosens up quickly after taking a few sips from her glass.

Time passes, and the effect of alcohol makes the atmosphere around them warmer.

Caught by a strange sensation, the tipsy Lily looks at Maxwell and speaks. "A beautiful night, right?" She says suggestively, circling the tip of her slender finger on the rim of her glass.

Alex only nods. He made himself comfortable on the armchair close to the large frame window, nonchalantly rotating his wine glass.

Somehow frustrated by his lazy response, Lily, who was on the opposite side of Maxwell, suddenly gets up and pounces aggressively on him.

Lambert was now on top of Maxwell. The scent of the wine gave her a naughty mood. Her arms wrap around his neck, gluing her chest on his. Her face draws close to his as her breathing quickens, and her body weighs on his thighs, purposely grinding herself on him.

"Why aren't you doing anything?" She protests, puffing her pinkish cheeks to express her displeasure.

Lily is drunk.

It's not that Maxwell was disinterested in Lambert. But since earlier, he has already noticed Lambert wobbling, obviously intoxicated by her drink. He thinks it would be classless to take advantage of a defenseless young lady.

Even so, at the moment, Lily was the one attacking him.

"I know about you and Eli." She states, still on top of Maxwell.

"Or, am I not good enough?" She peers into his eyes with a saddened face.

Maxwell raises his eyebrows, taken aback by the surprising declaration. But before he could respond, the now aroused Lily seals his lips with a deep kiss. And Alex just let her do as she pleases.

For a moment, Lily lets herself be absorbed by kisses, undressing little by little.

Although Maxwell didn't force himself out of her embrace, he couldn't also get Lily off.

And from there, the aroused Lily begins to grind her crotch on Maxwell's, leaving a sticky trace of her fluid on his pants. Her expression shows that she is drowning in ecstasy as she relentlessly moans from pleasure.

But suddenly, she begins to uncontrollably twitch and accelerates her rubbing movement, disregarding Maxwell's opinion. Her breathing quickens as she nibbles on Maxwell's ear, letting him hear her salacious panting.

It isn't after a while that her naughty action ends with her loud gasp. A bursting wave of pleasure made her cum.

Exhausted, Lily passes out on top of Maxwell, still hugging him firmly. Alex just discovered the unexpected wild side of the usually collected young lady.

____

The following morning, Lily Lambert is sleeping soundly on the large bed of the well-furnished room. After last night's one-sided action, Maxwell was the one to tuck her to bed.

Alex is the first up and is already taking his breakfast in the room's sitting area. He looks at Lambert's peaceful and innocent sleeping face and still can't believe what he witnessed the previous night.

As he takes the baking pastries, his phone vibrates. He steps aside, a little further from the bed to not wake Lambert, and receives the call. "Mathiew! What is it?"

"Alex, we have bad news," Mathiew speaks in a solemn tone, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

Maxwell peeks at Lambert to make sure she is still sleeping. Then he turns back to look outside the windows, bracing himself for what is coming next.

"What is wrong?"

Alex could hear Mathiew taking a deep breath. "Hopkins has been bailed out!"

"You must be kidding me," Alex says, almost shouting from the shock. "How is that possible? We gathered everything against him. Gina even dug out every single dirt under his feet. And you are telling me he could go out?" His intonation begins to show his frustration.

Mathiew waits for Maxwell to finish then calmly responds.

"Richmond!"

The simple notion of the name made Maxwell silent. Everything clicks in his mind as he begins to understand what is happening.

"Jasir came to the office earlier this morning. And I confirmed things with prosecutor Hamilton. He couldn't have done anything, he said. It's from higher up." Mathiew explains.

Alex stays silent, pensive. He massages his temple, thinking about what to do next.

"And apparently, Richmond wants to meet you," Mathiew added before he could answer.

Maxwell frowns and curses in his mind. The thought displeased him greatly. But at the same time, he expected things to turn out this way.

Alex sighs and reluctantly asks. "When?"

"Tonight at the nightclub."

"I know you don't like him, Alex. You have your differences. But I think it best to meet him. See what he wants." Mathiew continues carefully.

"I know! I will meet him." Alex replies. Anyone could feel his annoyance through his voice. His expression turns sour, masking any shred of confidence he may have had before.

____

**** Flashback ****

Five years ago, Alex Maxwell started his second year of middle school. At that time, the Richmonds were close family friends of the Maxwells. They often organized parties and events together.

During one of these events, Alex met Leroy, whom he later came to consider like an older brother.

Leroy Richmond is the eldest son of the Richmond corporation. At the age of twenty, he was already famous in the social circle of the upper class for being a promising young gentleman. He had the charisma and the look, contrary to how Alex Maxwell was during that time.

Alex was entirely different from how he is now. He lacked confidence, was terribly shy, and had a severe case of social anxiety.

Even if he was introverted, however, as the Maxwell corporation's sole heir, it was inevitable that people often came to him with good or bad intentions.

Alex met Leroy during one of the Maxwells' charity events. Noticing Alex's lack of social skill, Leroy came to his help to get him out of a delicate situation.

Since then, Alex followed Leroy every time he got the chance to, looking up to him.

Leroy took good care of Alex, considering him as a little brother. He was the one to teach Alex how to interact with others. He was also the one to teach him how to talk with ladies.

In his third year of middle school, Alex had eyes for a charming older girl, Miranda Loux. She was a university freshman coming from a middle-class family. And she came to his school as an intern teacher.

Miranda was plain but possessed a charming aura. She was always modestly dressed. Nevertheless, her look was elegant. She knew how to exhibit her beauty without overdoing it.

Alex liked her.

He didn't take long to tell everything to Richmond, asking him for advice. He presented her to Leroy, and after a few months, the three became good friends, often hanging out together.

Unfortunately, however, Miranda never reciprocated Maxwell's feelings. She considered him as a younger sibling. Instead, she became more interested in Richmond.

Alex resolved himself and gave up on her. He understood their age difference and her viewpoint. Also, being on good terms, he did not mind that she and Leroy would be together.

But shortly after, Miranda suddenly traveled abroad.

Maxwell was saddened. But before long, he moved on and began a relationship with another older woman, a senior high schooler.

The new girl, Rose Laurens, was beautiful with a gentle and innocent appearance. Her demeanors were proper, illustrating her well-established background.

In contrast to the more reserved Miranda, Rose was outgoing and outspoken.

Similar to before, Alex, Rose, and Leroy became acquainted. The three organized several outings and trips together.

But unfortunately, Maxwell quickly discovered a horrible revelation. Even before Maxwell met Rose, she and Richmond had an affair.

**** End of Flashback ****

____

In the evening, after taking Lily home, Alex goes to his office and meets with Mathiew Calaway. They were organizing themself before heading to see Richmond.

Because of his past, Maxwell holds a deep grudge against Richmond. But despite his resentment, Maxwell still thinks that Richmond is someone he owes his current self.

He believes that without him, he would still be the naive, timid young man he once was. This mindset is deeply etched in him, birthing a feeling of intimidation and fear towards the man.

Alex wants to surpass Richmond in every way possible.

Bigger, Alex wants to take everything that Richmond possesses. Robs him of everything that he owns. He couldn't go for less to satiate his grudge.

But before he could achieve that goal, first, he must be able to face Richmond directly on his own.

So far, Alex is trying to throw little disruption in Richmond's direction, interfering in everything he does without openly antagonizing him.

And in truth, his plan to conquer Lambert was none other than one of these disruptions. Indeed, Maxwell overheard talk about a union of the Lamberts and the Richmonds through marriage, so he decided to woo the Lamberts' daughter first.

However, the situation has escalated with the real estate and Hopkins case.

Richmond has made it clear that Hopkins is his man. And the fact that he wished to meet Maxwell after all of this signifies he acknowledges him as an opponent.

Even if fear still lingers, Alex knows he can't run anymore.

It is now the time to fight Richmond face to face.

____ End of Chapter 31 ____