As the private jet descended towards the Basther LTD headquarters, touching the runway with a gentle thud, Richard's keen eyes caught a familiar figure waiting nearby. By the runway, there stood a man dressed in a crisp white coat, contrasting against his black turtle neck sweater and blue jeans. His long black hair was immaculately styled, and piercing purple eyes carried an air of authority. This was none other than Richard's father, Oliver Blackthorn, who possessed a slight but commanding build.
Observing his father by the runway, Richard's thoughts raced as he wondered, "What is he doing here?"
Beside Oliver was Izawa, a man with neat brown hair combed backward and vibrant green eyes. He had a fit and athletic body, his attire consisting of a sharp black suit and polished black shoes. Izawa's demeanor exuded professionalism and poise.
As the jet's engines quieted and the door opened, the group began to disembark. Richard, Luna, Luella, and Jarmin made their way down the steps of the jet.
(A/N: I forget to add their detail in the previous chaps so I decided I'll add it now)
As they disembarked from the jet, Richard, Luna, Luella, and Jarmin were all dressed in their school uniforms. These uniforms consisted of light blue jackets adorned with white circuitry symbols and the school's badge on the breast pocket, complemented by blue T-shirts. Their attire extended to white trousers, for the girls skirts, which also featured blue techy circuitry symbols, creating a distinct and stylish look.
Approaching his father, Richard's thoughts raced as he contemplated, "How should I address him? Should I call him dad... How do I even start the conversation?" Lost in thought, Richard was taken by surprise when Oliver broke the silence.
"Where did you go?" His voice was calm yet firm.
Stuttering slightly, Richard responded, "O.. oh.. I went to Country R for an auction." He gestured weakly toward the private jet he and his trio had just disembarked from.
Oliver's tone shifted, becoming firmer as he asked, "Is that so? Did you have fun? No, I'm sure you did. You practically spent over 200 million dollars in one night. If you didn't have any fun, it would be a crime," he said, his voice carrying a mix of sternness and concern, slowly advancing toward Richard.
As Richard heard the exclamation about spending 200 million dollars, his mind raced. "200 million dollars?! How... I know I spent 100 million, but what about the other one?" He suddenly realized, his eyes darting to Jarmin and Luella, who both looked away guiltily, realizing they'd been caught red-handed.
He couldn't contain his astonishment. He exclaimed inwardly, "How the hell did you guys spend a hundred million dollars?!" Richard's glare was sharp as it bore into them, causing them to avoid his gaze.
Amidst his thoughts, a large cargo plane landed on the runway with a thunderous thud. It opened to reveal an incredibly high-tech white Leopard 1 tank, a futuristic model designed for colossal dungeon raids, enhanced with magic and capable of remote control. The sight left Richard's jaw hanging in sheer amazement.
Suddenly, a man in a military uniform sprinted toward Richard, holding a white tablet. "Good morning, sir. All I need is your fingerprint here." His voice was hurried, eager to complete the task.
As Richard observed the man's uniform, he noticed the logo of the Saldenburg auction house, and suddenly, everything clicked into place. His brow furrowed with realization.
"Wait... I know I gave them permission to buy whatever they wanted, but... this is just overkill," he thought to himself. "What the hell were they planning to use the tank for anyway, world domination? For individuals who aren't children, they sure act dumb, I can't let them spend money on their own next time or else they might just end up buying an entire fleet of spaceships and claim the moon as their vacation home."
The absurdity of the situation struck him, and he couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief.
Richard extended his thumb to the tablet the man held out. As he pressed his fingerprint onto it, his information appeared in digital clarity. The military-uniformed man acknowledged it and spoke, "That will be all, sir. Thank you for your time."
With a brisk nod, the man returned to the waiting cargo plane, and it rumbled to life before turning around and taking off. As the plane ascended into the sky, Richard let out a deep sigh.
"Good grief," he mumbled under his breath, contemplating the unexpected events of the morning.
Turning, Richard suddenly found his father right in front of him, and a jolt of surprise coursed through him. "Darn it, I completely forgot about him," he thought to himself, his mind racing. "If I remember correctly, in the novel, I wrote him to be a very strict and no-nonsense person. He must be furious with my outrageous spending. And his presence is just... intimidating."
Oliver stood there, towering over Richard, his gaze icy and unrelenting. His stern aura seemed to loom. Then, without warning, he embraced his son in a tight hug. "Are you all right? Did anything happen to you there? Did anyone try to harm you?" he asked, genuine concern in his voice.
Caught off guard by this sudden display of affection, Richard realized that he'd momentarily forgotten a key aspect of his own character. His father's worry was both overwhelming and touching.
The embrace ceased, and Oliver's tone softened. "You need to stop making me worry like this," he said, his voice carrying a mixture of sternness and paternal care. "If you wanted something so badly, you should've just asked. You didn't have to travel to another country. I would've ensured the item was secured for you before the auction even began. If anything ever happened to you, I don't know what I'd do. You're all I have left."
As Oliver spoke, a genuine smile tugged at the corners of Richard's lips. This moment confirmed that the father he had penned was a man who would do anything for his beloved son, his only family.
Oliver Blackthorn, the world's wealthiest man, had lost the love of his life, his wife, in a massive dungeon breakout, leaving behind the life they had created together - Richard. I never delved into the details of that event; I simply wrote it that way.
The only way I can make amends for what I've put this man through is by showering him with the love he truly deserves.
With a warm smile, Richard turned to his father and spoke in a soft tone, "I apologize for causing you concern, Dad. I promise to be more open in the future."