Chapter 2 Death Certificate

At this time, a black Rolls-Royce with the license plate LBE 8888 slowly pulled over at the arrivals area of the airport.

A middle-aged man in a black suit got out of the car and went to open the back-seat door.

If the upper-class people of Linbourne saw this scene, they would be shocked because this middle-aged man was the richest man in the city, Trent Sanchez. But at the moment, he had to open the car door for someone else.

An old man with silver-white hair carefully stepped out of the luxury vehicle. He was in a dark blue suit and holding an exquisite cane in his hand. At the cane's hilt was a sapphire the size of an egg. The toll of time could be seen on his face, but he still stood chin up and spine straight. He exuded an aura of power and nobility.

"Mr. Valdez should come out soon."

With eyes shining brightly, the old man stared expectantly at the arrivals gate of the airport.

A few minutes later, two men walked out of the exit.

The old man fixed his gaze upon the younger one of the two men, the one walking ahead of the large, brawny one. To Trent's surprise, the old man quickly walked over and bowed deeply to the young man. Then, the old man said respectfully, "Good day, Mr. Valdez. My name is Omar Russell, the butler of the Schultz family in Bliostein. I have come to pick you up. The Schultz family is waiting for you. You are in charge now."

When he heard the old man introduce himself, Ryder instantly understood who he was.

However, at the mention of the Schultz family, he frowned. Anger bubbled up from his core and threatened to boil over the joy he felt now that he was back in his hometown.

Ryder looked at Omar defiantly and replied, "Funny. Ten years ago, the Schultz family banished me and my mother from Bliostein only because I was an illegitimate child and didn't have any right to inherit anything from the family. And now you're telling me that the Schultz family is mine to run? Eighteen years ago, when I was only nine years old, my mother and I spent an entire rainy night at the gates of the Schultz family's mansion, kneeling and pleading like a couple of vagrants. Did you lot take pity on us? Five years ago, my mother fell seriously ill. I begged the Schultzs to help her, but what did you lot do?"

After a pause, he continued, "And now that I have returned from Mapleley with great honor and power to my name, you want me to take charge of the Schultz family? Go back and tell your boss that the Schultz family means nothing to me! If he dares bother me again, I will go to Bliostein and make him regret it."

Those words had been buried in his heart for so many years. Five years of serving in the army had made his heart tough and strong, and since becoming a military man, he hadn't experienced such a powerful surge of emotions. But at this moment, all the long suppressed memories just shot up from deep within him and made him explode.

Omar let out a long sigh. He seemed to have expected such an answer from Ryder. He said, "When your mother was still in Bliostein, she founded a company and named it after you and herself. It's called Ryca Group, and soon, it's setting up shop in Linbourne. Now that your mother's gone and you're back, we're giving the company back to you."

With a cold sneer, Ryder corrected Omar, "My mother's company is not for the Schultz family to give to me. Ryca Group belonged to my mother, but it was ruthlessly taken away by the Schultz family."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ryder marched away.

"The Schultz family indeed owed you and your mother!"

Looking at Ryder's receding figure, Omar pressed his lips together in a thin line. Then, he ordered Trent beside him, "Trent, from now on, you must try your best to help Mr. Valdez."

Hearing this, Trent replied respectfully, "Mr. Russell, without you, I wouldn't have been where I am. Don't worry. I will wholeheartedly assist him."

Omar added, "By the way, he got married five years ago to the daughter of the Swain family. On behalf of the Schultz family, you should inform his wife that he has returned."

"Consider it done."

The taxi that Ryder hailed sped away. He sat quietly in the back seat, lost in thought.

Five years ago, his mother was hospitalized because of a serious illness. At that time, Ryder just graduated and was penniless. He was working in Zoey's company as a security guard to get by and pay his mother's hospital bills. He went down on his knees to the Schultz family to help his mother, but they didn't move a muscle. And to top it all off, somebody set him and Zoey up to sleep together, causing a scandal that turned both their worlds upside down.

In order to maintain his family's reputation, Ruben Swain, Zoey's father, decided to wed his daughter to Ryder and allowed Ryder to become part of the Swain family. Desperate to save his mother's life, Ryder agreed and borrowed five hundred thousand dollars from the Swain family to pay for his mother's treatment. Unfortunately, his mother passed away before Ryder could get to her with the money. Ryder didn't even get the chance to say goodbye.

After his mother's death, Ryder held up his end of the bargain and became Zoey's husband and the Swain family's son-in-law. He knew that he didn't deserve her. So not long after their wedding, he left and joined the army.

It had been five years since they parted.

A brand-new Maybach was parked in front of the Swain family's house.

Taking a look at the priceless luxury car, Ryder chuckled and said, "It seems that Zoey's family is more valued by the whole Swain family now than five years ago as evidenced by my father-in-law's posh car."

Returning to this house after all these years, Ryder had a very complicated feeling. Although he was also a victim of that horrible setup five years ago, he still took away Zoey's virginity. She was the most beautiful woman in Linbourne, and he tainted her.

Five years ago, he agreed to marry her, and later on, he left without saying a word. It was all his fault.

It wasn't that hard to imagine the terrible rumors Zoey had to bear over the years.

But at that time, Ryder was unworthy. Only by joining the army could he be good enough to be Zoey's husband. Now that he was retired from the service and had tremendous accomplishments, power, and wealth to his name, he was finally the man that Zoey deserved.

When he walked to the front door in a bid to knock, Ryder suddenly froze. He overheard people talking inside the house.

Zoey's mother, Rylee Swain, said, "Platt, I'm applying for that loser's death certificate. Don't worry. After the death certificate is approved, Zoey will be single again."

Zoey's father, Ruben, chimed in, "By then, I will be the first to agree to your and my Zoey's marriage."

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Swain. But persuade Zoey, please."

"We got you, Platt. I'm sure Zoey will come around."

"I'll leave that to you then. By the way, I brought gifts for you two to show my appreciation. Some are from my friend abroad, and some are bought by me from Utrua."

Zoey's parents' laughter filled the entire house, but Ryder didn't feel quite as happy as they were.

But when he thought of Zoey, Ryder suppressed his anger. He owed her.

Besides, she was the only reason he came back.

He took a deep breath, and banged on the door.

"Who is it?"

Rylee's voice was full of impatience. She was very unhappy that an unexpected guest was suddenly interrupting. Ryder heard Rylee's footsteps get closer and closer.

When she opened the door, the smile on Rylee's face completely disappeared. She found herself staring at the face of the last person she wanted to see. She gritted her teeth and started, "Are you... Ryder?"