Chapter 107: **Chapter 107: Show of Strength
In the afternoon, at Kennedy International Airport, Richard walked out of the hall with a suitcase, accompanied by the endlessly talking Paul.
This time, it was just the two of them returning. Norman was in Los Angeles chasing women, and Anthony was busy managing the company.
"Richard, let's take a taxi over there!" Paul said.
"No need, we'll go this way," Richard pointed towards the street ahead, where a beautiful woman was stepping out of a car.
Blonde hair, artistic T-shirt, tight jeans wrapping around her long, straight legs. The girl, with her arms crossed, held sunglasses and waved them.
"Gisele?" Paul asked, eyes wide open.
"Nope!" Richard shook his head and called out, "Angela, why are you here to pick me up?"
"Are you unhappy that I came to pick you up?" Miss Angela Lindvall squinted her foxy eyes, looking a bit displeased.
"Of course not, it's just that I haven't seen you for a while, so it's a surprise, and a pleasant one!" Richard stepped forward and hugged her.
This year, Angela had made significant progress. During Paris Fashion Week, she was noticed by the famous designer Karl Lagerfeld and secured the mainline endorsement for the top-tier brand Prada, becoming a Prada Girl.
In the following months, she landed five other top-brand endorsements, elevating her to supermodel status.
She now ranked top 6 on the authoritative model website.
She had been flying between Europe and the US recently, and it had been a long time since they had seen each other.
"Now that you've seen me, how do you feel?" Angela spread her long arms and smiled.
"You seem even more beautiful and your aura stronger. Is it the supermodel aura? It's almost suffocating me. Cough, cough, Angela, please tone it down."
"Haha, get lost!" Angela gave him a punch and waved at the two of them, "Get in the car!"
---
Angela's car was a brand-new Maserati sports car. Richard sat in the front, and Paul, with his broad frame, could only squeeze into the back.
"Gisele is at an art gallery show, so she couldn't come. That's why I'm here," Angela said while gripping the steering wheel.
"Thanks. I haven't congratulated you in person on becoming a supermodel, Angela. How does it feel to be a supermodel?" Richard asked, holding a lipstick.
"It feels like you need a good beating."
"Alright, I get it. Your temper has grown too. The first thing you want to do is beat people up."
Richard laughed.
"Hmph, I haven't congratulated you on becoming a boxing champion. How does that feel?" Angela laughed.
"International boxing champion, but without that gold belt, I'm still just an ordinary boxer." Richard shrugged.
"Then keep working hard, get that gold belt, become a world champion, and make a lot of money. Otherwise, Gisele might get taken away by someone else."
"What do you mean? Is someone bothering Gisele again?" Richard's fist tightened.
"Do you even need to ask? In our circle, beautiful fresh faces are always pursued by men. Gisele is so hot, and she once ranked fourth in Miss World. There's no shortage of people wanting to court her."
"I know. Is there anyone particularly troublesome? Someone affecting her work?"
"Haha, there's one. Recently, he's been constantly giving Gisele gifts, even though she refuses. He still insists. He's at the show today. Want to go beat him up?" Angela laughed.
"Sure, let's go to the art gallery."
---
The New York Art Gallery, located on the east side of the Central Library, frequently hosts exhibitions such as paintings, sculptures, collections, and fashion shows.
Today, the top brand Valentino was holding an autumn new product fashion show here.
Valentino is one of Italy's top luxury brands, specializing in high-end women's clothing and evening dresses. The exhibition was lively, attracting many fashion celebrities.
Richard wasn't interested in these things. He changed into a formal suit at home and followed Angela to the fashion show.
Fashion personalities, reporters, magazine editors, and clothing designers were seated on either side of the runway. Of course, there were also some idle spectators.
Around five o'clock, the show began.
Many top models, dressed in new high-end evening dresses, walked onto the crystal runway. The clothing designs were unique, and the makeup had a futuristic feel. Although they didn't look particularly beautiful, they were undoubtedly expensive.
"What do you feel like when wearing such clothes?" Richard gently asked.
"What does a candy feel like when wrapped in colored glass paper?" Angela moved her mouth and asked.
"I don't know, it might be uncomfortable but also happy because the colored glass paper is beautiful. After being wrapped in colored paper, the candy can be placed in the most conspicuous spot on the shelf. And those without colored paper can only be placed under the counter, right?"
"Not bad, look, your candy is here."
Angela nodded towards the exit of the runway where Miss Gisele Bundchen emerged.
Dressed in a silver leather outfit, with her tall figure, powerful steps, and sharp aura, she looked impressive and eye-catching, like a silver lightning bolt piercing the eyes as she walked closer.
"Still so dominant!" Richard smiled and waved gently.
Gisele kept a stern face, her expression unchanging, walking with a stride that acknowledged no one, displaying her professionalism.
"Hey!"
At the corner of the runway, a man in a black suit waved at Bündchen.
The man was in his twenties, medium build, with curly brown hair and green eyes, dressed in branded clothes.
"Is that the guy?" Richard asked.
"Yes, that's Mark Wickness, Deputy Director of Marketing for Limited, a chain of women's clothing stores in Ohio. He's also the son of the chairman. Last time, Bündchen participated in Limited's fashion show in Ohio, and he fell for her. He followed her to New York, sending flowers, perfumes, and cars, but no matter how she rejected him, it didn't work. Haha, Richard, you're in danger," Angela chuckled.
"Doesn't he know Bündchen is my girl?" Richard said, displeased.
"He knows, but maybe he doesn't care."
"Alright! I guess I'm not impressive enough yet."
Richard clenched his fist and said, feeling the awkwardness of being too small a name to intimidate small fry. Maybe when he becomes a big shot, there will be fewer suitors around Bündchen.
"What are you going to do about it?"
"Talk to him!"
Richard straightened his collar.
"Just talk?"
"Of course, I'm not a violent maniac. And look at him, can he take a punch from me?"
Richard laughed.
"Alright, you better stick to your word. Bündchen asked me to pick you up because she's worried that you'll know about this and start hitting people. She asked me to keep an eye on you," Angela pointed to her eyes and then stared at him.
"I feel helpless. I've only gotten into a fight with Norman once, and everyone treats me like a violent maniac?" Richard sighed.
"You have a history, so I need to watch you."
"OK! Feel free to watch."
Richard raised his hand in a gesture of surrender.
—
In the second round of the show, there was a ten-minute interval. Richard took out a pair of glasses and put them on, greeted Angela, and walked over to Mark Wickness at the corner of the runway.
"Why are you only here now?"
Wickness seemed to mistake him for someone else, turning to look at him, "Who are you?"
"Oh, I saw there was an empty seat here, so I came over. I'm also in the fashion circle, very familiar with the models here. Need me to introduce them to you?"
"You know them all?"
Wickness's green eyes lit up with interest.
"Yes!"
Richard began explaining several models on the spot, listing their ages, places of birth, measurements, endorsements, and more, like reciting from memory, instantly impressing this rich man from Ohio.
"Impressive, buddy, what do you do?"
"I'm an athlete, and my girlfriend is a model, so I know more about this."
"Which one is your girlfriend?"
"You'll see soon enough."
Soon, the models came out again. The first two rounds showcased evening dresses, and the third and fourth rounds featured high-end women's clothing, mainly dresses, which didn't look much different from the first two rounds.
Bündchen came out fourth, wearing a red and blue folded skirt with a belt around her waist, looking both beautiful and handsome.
"Look, Bündchen is out. She's so cool and has such a strong aura. I just love girls like her," Wickness said excitedly, clapping his hands.
"Thanks. Let me introduce her to you; this is my girlfriend," Richard said.
"What?" Wickness turned his face, "Bündchen is your girlfriend?!"
"Yes, I'm Richard Blad. Have you heard of me?" Richard smiled.
Wickness frowned, sizing him up and down, "You're the boxer boyfriend of Bündchen?"
"Yes. So, what do you think? Don't we make a great couple?" Richard spread his hands and laughed.
"No, you're just a boxer. You don't make much money in a year, far less than me. My family owns chain stores and makes millions a year doing nothing. Bündchen and I are the perfect match," Wickness sneered.
Richard raised an eyebrow, "Are you trying to take my candy? I mean, Bündchen."
"Why not? I like her and pursue her. What's it to you?" Wickness squinted his green eyes.
Richard shook his head, "It's nothing to do with me. It's fine for you to like her and pursue her, but don't affect her work and life, and definitely don't upset her. Because she's my girlfriend, and seeing her unhappy makes me unhappy, and when I'm unhappy, the consequences are serious."
"Hmph, are you threatening me?"
"You could say that."
"Haha, what can you do? Don't think you're great just because you box. Can your fists be stronger than a gun?"
Wickness sneered.
"A gun?" Richard raised an eyebrow, "You're going to use a gun on me?"
"If you dare hit me, I'll use a gun on you. In Ohio, the best is the one with the best marksmanship, and I'm a good shot. Want to try?" Wickness threatened.
"Sure, I forgot to tell you, I grew up in the most chaotic street in the Bronx, New York. It used to be very dangerous there, with Mexican gangs, Vietnamese gangs, Irish gangs, and more. The police needed armored vehicles to get in and out.
So, I started learning to shoot with gang members when I was ten. By the way, have you ever heard of Russian roulette? It's like in 'First Blood.'
A lot of Vietnamese immigrants brought it to the Bronx. I played it once. It was so thrilling that I almost wet myself. I never dared to play again. Are you interested? Want to try it sometime?" Richard asked enthusiastically.
"Hmph, are you trying to scare me?" Wickness asked coldly.
"No, I don't like to bluff. If you watch my match recordings closely, you'll see that I've got more than one gunshot wound. Guess how I got them?"
Wickness remained silent.
"Haha, so don't try to mess with me. When I get ruthless, no one can be more ruthless. I left the orphanage at twelve, entered the underground boxing ring at seventeen, and had twenty-three matches. In the underground ring, you sign a death contract before going on stage. People die every day, and even women's purses smell bloody. Twenty-three matches, guess if I've ever killed anyone?" Richard said calmly.
Wickness lowered his head, saying nothing.
"We're not the same kind of people. You were born with a silver spoon, so you don't know how people like us survive. We have to grit our teeth to survive, while you grow up eating foie gras and caviar, eating and vomiting. Fuck, sometimes I envy you guys.
Delicate and fair-skinned, without a single scar. Sometimes I wonder if you guys heal faster when injured because you eat so well. Last year, I got shot and had to recover for more than half a month. Mark, how long would you take to recover from a gunshot?" Richard clapped his hands, looking at the stage. The fashion show was over, and the designer came out with assistants to take a bow, drawing a round of applause from the audience.
Richard also clapped his hands, "Look, Bündchen is on stage too. Haha, as expected, my girl is the most beautiful."
"Hmph!"
"Hmph what? Don't be so unhappy. Smile, or Bündchen will think I bullied you. Ah, women, especially beautiful women, are sometimes a happy nuisance."
"You can pass this trouble to me?"
"Uh, so you know humor? Haha, but your humor is a bit rude. I already said it's a happy nuisance. Without trouble, where's the happiness?
So, stop staring at Bündchen. I'm very petty. You can stare at me, even come at me with a knife, a gun, or an RPG, I welcome it, but don't bother my girl, or... Haha, we'll practice shooting together sometime, bang~ bang~"
Richard patted his shoulder and left his seat.
Watching his back, Wickness squinted his eyes and told the person beside him, "Jamie, check this guy out, see who he really is."
"Check what?"
"I don't believe he killed anyone!"
"Okay!"
The assistant Jamie responded.
—
The show was over, and Richard and Angela walked out.
"What were you talking about?" Angela asked.
"Showing dominance. That guy asked me to give up on Bündchen, saying his family has hundreds of millions in savings and knows dozens of big tycoons and politicians. He said my fists can't compete with him."
Richard said as they walked.
"What did you say?"
"Tch, what good are those things? A man wooing a girl needs real skills. I'm super fit and also have a foot-long..."
"Pei, shameless!"
Angela glared at him and stomped on his foot.
"Hey, I was talking about a golden gun!"
"Middle finger!"
Angela gave him the middle finger.
Richard laughed and followed her.
After picking up Miss Bündchen, the three had a meal together.
After dinner, Angela left first as she had some matters to attend to. She had recently made a fortune and bought a property in Brooklyn, living a very enviable life.
Richard drove Bündchen back to the apartment on Houston Street in DC.
Back home, Miss Bündchen closed the door.
"Speak!"
"Speak about what?"
Richard put down his luggage and asked.
"Hmph, don't pretend. You're mad at me."
Mrs. Bündchen crossed her arms and looked at him.
"Am I mad?"
Richard chuckled and shook his head.
"You're mad, don't try to fool me. I can tell."
Bündchen pushed him down, pointed her finger at his nose, and stared at him, saying with certainty.
"Okay, then tell me why I'm mad?"
Richard asked, holding her waist.
Mrs. Bündchen blinked, "Is it because of Mark Weckness? Are you upset that I didn't tell you about it?"
"Heh, so you know where you were wrong? Good, I've said before, we are boyfriend and girlfriend, the closest people to each other. When you encounter something, you should tell me immediately. But that guy has been bothering you for so long, why didn't you say anything? Do you still consider me your boyfriend?"
"I know that, but I can handle this myself. I don't want to rely on you for everything."
"Alright, you're a strong woman. But this matter concerns me too, I should know about it. Otherwise, one day my girlfriend runs off with someone else, and I'll be like a fool, knowing nothing."
"Nonsense, when did I ever run off with someone else? I didn't accept any of the gifts he sent, didn't go on any of his dates, and when he wanted me to be the spokesperson for their clothing brand, I turned him down. I was so decisive; you should praise me, not criticize me!"
Mrs. Bündchen sat on his lap, her face showing a bit of pride.
Richard smiled softly and touched her cheek, "Yes, you handled this very well and deserve praise. Instead, I should be criticized. If I were more capable, a big shot, no one would dare to harass you."
"It's not like that. I don't need you to become a big shot. I think this is good. Living peacefully, occasional minor troubles don't matter, as long as it doesn't affect our life."
"This time, I know I was wrong. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry or disrupt your work. I won't do it again in the future, okay?"
Mrs. Bündchen hugged his neck, her forehead touching his, and asked softly.
Richard nodded and held her tightly in his arms, "Dear, thank you for considering so much for me. I never blamed you. I just want you to know that in my plans, your matters are always the top priority. No matter what work, it's not as important as your matters."
"I was a very lazy person, never thought of earning a lot of money, never thought of becoming a big shot. It was only after meeting you that I started thinking about the future, planning for our future. But if the future doesn't include you, I don't know what the point of all this is."
"I know, we can work hard together for our future."
Mrs. Bündchen smiled and clenched her fist.
"Haha, good!"
Richard bumped her fist and hugged her tightly again.
"Dear, it's past eight in the evening, what should we do?"
Mrs. Bündchen asked softly in his arms.
"Em~, have dinner?"
"We've already eaten!"
"Do the laundry?"
"Bastard, you go do the laundry, no sleeping tonight!"
Mrs. Bündchen punched him.
"Haha, okay, then let's start doing the laundry, all night!"
"Ah, be gentle, you bastard~"
——
(End of this chapter)
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