After leaving the Callahans’ villa.

Thea was crying. “Jamie, I’m so sorry. I don’t even have any control over my marriage.”

James took her hand. “It’s okay. Grandfather has made the statement. If I manage to get an order from Celestial Group, he’ll have no choice but to acknowledge us as husband and wife.”

“It’s Celestial Group we’re talking about.” Thea was worried.

Born and bred in Cansington, she knew all there was to Celestial Group.

Celestial Group was an international company, having broken into the Cansington market just recently. The Great Four basically monopolized Celestial Group’s orders.

James only smiled. “We’ll never know if we don’t try.”

Thea thought of something suddenly, saying, “Oh yeah, I remember now. An old classmate of mine is working at Celestial Group. In fact, she’s the head of a department there. Let me get in touch with her. She might be able to connect us with the higher management.”

“Okay.”

Holding hands, the both of them walked home to Thea’s.

Thea’s house and the Callahans’ villa were located in the same residential area. Where the headquarters of the Callahans’ was the villa, Thea’s place was in a high-rise building.

The two of them took a leisurely stroll back. Gladys had arrived ahead of them, and she refused to let James into the house.

James shrugged. There was nothing he could do. “I’ll go home then, Thea.”

Thea knew she had no choice either, so she nodded.

The priority now was to secure the orders from Celestial. That way, the Callahans would have no choice but to accept James as part of the family.

After settling down at home, she got in touch with her classmate whom she had not spoken to for many years.

On the other hand, James returned to the House of Royals, situated in an area where the most luxurious villas of Cansington were.

He sat down on the couch and lit a cigarette. Taking out his phone, he dialed a number. “Bring me the chairman of Celestial Group.”

He hardly wanted to press his privilege as the Dragon General, but it could not be helped if he wanted the deal with Celestial.

Soon, a middle-aged man about 50 years of age arrived at the house.

Wearing a suit, he was heavyset and starting to go bald.

“Gen-General.”

As soon as the man entered the House of Royals, he fell to his knees.

In Cansington, he was in charge of Celestial Group. Hailing from the capital, his name was Alex Yates.

Before arriving, Alex had taken the time to find out with whom he would be meeting.

He was kneeling in front of the legendary Dragon General of the Southern Plains. He showed no mercy on and off the battlefield, and his enemies cowered in fear when they heard about the Black Dragon.

The Dragon General was no ordinary man. He was more than important, and therefore commanded the highest level of respect. Still kneeling on the ground, Alex felt a trickle of perspiration slide down his spine.

“Alex Yates?”

James put down the stack of documents he was holding in his hand. Looking at the middle-aged man kneeling on the ground, he waved a hand and said mildly, “Why don’t you stand up?”

“Yes, sir.”

Alex stood. He was sweating profusely, but he made no move to wipe his sweat away.

Shaking in fear, he wondered if he had somehow offended this modern-day Ares. Why was he summoned?

“Tomorrow, my wife Thea Callahan will be visiting Celestial Group, asking for a deal of thirty million. You’re to handle it personally. Don’t mess it up.”

Alex sighed in relief and broke into a smile. “Of course, General. Even if it’s a deal of three hundred million, it would be yours if you say the word.”

“Remember, my wife’s name is Thea. Thea Callahan.”

“Yes, sir.”

“That’s all. You may leave now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Alex felt like he had been granted amnesty and left at top speed, still soaked in sweat.

As part of the Yates family from the Capital, he helmed Celestial Group in Cansington. Even The Great Four had to be careful lest they provoke him, but his role was reversed when meeting James.

After Alex left, James rose from the couch and muttered to himself, “I’ve been back for more than ten days, but I have not paid my respects yet.”

He walked out of the house, planning to take a taxi to the ruins of the Caden house in the suburbs.

However, there was a multi-purpose vehicle without a license plate waiting outside. A dark-skinned man in a black tank stood by the car.

James walked up and cut Henry a glare. “Didn’t I tell you to take the men and return to the border?”

“General, all the other men have returned to the Southern Plains. It’s just me now. Won’t you let me stay?”

“Call me James. The general is no more in Cansington.”

“You got it.”

“Take me to the Cadens’ cemetery.”

“Well, get in the car then, James.”

…

Soon, James was at the spot where the Cadens’ villa once stood.

The villa had been burned to ashes, now replaced by graves.

Cansington’s first family was now worm food, their home in ruins.

The sky was dark. Gray clouds gathered overhead.

Pitter-patter.

The heavens opened and unleashed a torrent of rain.

At the cemetery, a young man stood there in a brown coat. Behind him was another man, holding an umbrella over him.

Thud.

James fell to his knees.

Ten years ago, the Cadens were the first family of Cansington.

He was only 18 years old then.

The same year, his father married another woman.

His stepmother was Rowena Xavier of The Great Four, belonging to one of the most prestigious families in Cansington.

Rowena had a plan all along. She slipped into James’ grandfather’s bed, accusing him of drugging her. His grandfather’s reputation was left in tatters and the Cadens were reduced to a joke.

That very same year, Rowena lodged a report against his father, accusing him of corruption and bribery. His father was so angry that it triggered a heart attack. Not only did Rowena not save him, but she pushed him off the third floor. She told everyone else that his father Nicholas committed suicide because he felt guilty.

After the death of his father, the Xaviers, who led The Great Four, converged at the Cadens’ and killed his grandfather. They held the entire Caden family hostage, forcing them to hand over their family treasure, a painting named Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside's Edge.

After they obtained it, The Great Four burned the house down with the Cadens still within and divided the Cadens’ assets.

“Dad, you’re a sinner. You’re the reason the Cadens are gone. You should have never married Rowena Xavier. You should have never brought that vicious woman home…”

James knelt in front of the grave, crying his heart out.

It was a myth that men did not shed tears. It just took a certain amount of pain.

He hated his father. His father fell in love with the wrong woman, resulting in the demise of the Cadens.

He hated Rowena Xavier. He hated The Great Four even more.

The Xaviers, Frasiers, Zimmermans, and Wilsons murdered the Cadens.

“Grandfather, I will not let you die in vain. I swear I’ll avenge your death. The Great Four will not live in peace. I’ll bring you the heads of The Great Four as proof.”

“My condolences, General.” Henry was still standing behind James, holding the umbrella.

Henry had never seen James so distraught before. In fact, he did not think that the almighty Black Dragon even had an emotional side.

He had shown no hint of fear against enemy armies, but in front of the graves, James was a puddle of tears.

“General, Megatron Group, belonging to the Xaviers, will be having a celebratory banquet tonight. Megatron and Celestial have signed a permanent agreement. From now on, Megatron will have early access to Celestial’s orders before letting the other groups and companies choose. The head of the Xaviers is also turning eighty today. It’s a double celebration.”

“Megatron…”

James clenched his fists.

Megatron was the Cadens’ family business.

Now, it had fallen into the Xaviers’ hands.

He stood up slowly, a murderous glint in his eye.

“Get me a coffin. We’re going to the banquet. It’s time to collect a debt.”

The Xaviers were the leaders of The Great Four in Cansington.

It was a day of celebration for them. Megatron Group, one of their many businesses, had signed an agreement with Celestial Group, and they were now the best of business partners. In other words, the Xaviers’ influence would be even more widespread thanks to this agreement.

Also, the patriarch of the family, Warren Xavier, was turning 80.

Outside the Xaviers’ villa, a fleet of luxurious cars gathered. All the celebrities in Cansington were there for the double celebration.

“This is a bottle of Retrouve wine worth eight million dollars, gifted by The Frasiers. They wish Mister Warren Xavier many happy returns!”

“The Wilsons present a painting, The Black Thorn by Jacqui en Blanc, worth twelve million dollars, and they wish the Xaviers good wealth.”

“The Zimmermans have gifted Mister Xavier a Froit Mi watch worth eight point eight million dollars…”

At the main entrance, a lady held a microphone in her hand. She enthusiastically announced the gifts that guests had brought for the entire room to hear.

In the foyer, Warren was dressed in a blue suit. Although he was 80, he looked fit and alert. Hearing about all the gifts he was getting, he looked as happy as a lark.

The banquet was full of people from important families in Cansington.

Even the second-rate Callahans had made it. In an attempt to suck up to the Xaviers, Lex Callahan had pulled out all the stops, spending a small fortune to get a Monique wallet for Warren.

Everyone was busy trying to make their own connections and expand their networks.

Outside the villa, a man wearing a brown coat and a mask on his face approached, carrying a coffin.

The coffin weighed at least 100 kilograms, but the man supported it with just one arm, carrying it with ease.

It was James.

His return was fueled by two purposes. To repay Thea, and to avenge his family.

Now that he was Thea’s husband, he might be recognized. As he did not want to get her into trouble, he put on a black mask to conceal his identity.

Crash!

As he reached the entrance, he threw the coffin with all his might. It shattered the Xaviers’ door and landed in the foyer of the Xaviers’ villa.

Everyone was shocked at the sudden intrusion.

The noise stopped abruptly. It was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

What was going on?

It was Warren Xaiver’s 80th birthday. Who was so bold as to actually bring a coffin to a celebration?

Warren was chatting with the other heads of family when the coffin came sailing through. His expression darkened and he shouted, “What’s this? Where are the security guards? What are they doing? Who sent this? Take it away at once.”

“Warren Xavier, may I present this coffin as your birthday gift? It’s your eightieth birthday today, but this time next year, it will be your death anniversary.”

A voice rang out from outside the doors. A man with a brown coat and a ghost mask then sauntered in.

“Who… who are you?” Warren stared at James. This was the Xaviers’ place, and he was the head of the family, a very important person in Cansington. Who had the guts to cause trouble at his home?

“I’m someone who wants your life.”

The cold voice cut through the space. With the black ghost mask on his face, James stalked over to Warren.

“Not today.” A man in his twenties walked over and pointed at James. “I don’t care who you are. When you’re at the Xaviers, we’re in charge.”

That was William Xavier. Still pointing at James, William attempted to remove his mask. Coldly, he said, “You’re a coward for hiding behind a mask. Let’s see who you are.”

James attacked. He grabbed William’s arm and lifted him off the ground before twisting it.

Crack!

William’s arm was torn clean off his body. Blood fountained everywhere.

“Ah…”

William howled in agony.

All the guests were in shock. As they were people of status and lived in peace, they had never seen such gore or violence before. Many of them stumbled backward, worried that they would be the next target.

Looking just like a modern-day Ares, James threw the arm away carelessly. He had a confident, aggressive air about him. Coupled with his display of power earlier on, the Xaviers were so scared that they were trembling, backing away as much as they could.

Even Warren retreated slightly, his arm reaching behind his back, ready at a moment’s notice to grab a weapon and kill the uninvited guest.

James stalked toward Warren slowly.

William’s moans of pain echoed through the foyer.

After a while, he slumped into a dead faint, unable to take the pain anymore. The foyer suddenly quieted. Only James’ footsteps echoed, sounding like the harbinger of doom.

“Kneel.”

James’ order rang out, clear as a bell.

James was extremely imposing. It was the cumulation of being a seasoned soldier and general with murder as second nature. Under his murderous stare, everyone was scared silly. Coupled with how easily he tore William’s arm off, no one dared utter a single word.

Even Warren was affected, and he lost his bearings for a second.

At that moment, he forgot to fight back and his knees buckled. He fell to the ground, kneeling.

Crash.

Upon seeing this, the celebrities were stunned.

Warren Xavier, the patriarch of the Xaviers, the leader of The Great Four in Cansington, was kneeling on the ground.

James held a wire in his hand. It was an odd sort of wire with several joints. Upon closer inspection, one could tell that it was made out of countless needles.

“Warren Xavier, do you care to admit your sins?”

Just then, Warren realized that he was kneeling, though he did not know why. Sweat slid down his spine.

He wanted to stand up, but he did not have the strength anymore.

“Boy, do you know who you’re speaking to?” Even though he could not stand, Warren still looked strong. His arm was still behind his back, ready to attack with a weapon anytime.

The other Xaviers did not even try to protect Warren, worried that they would be hurt as well.

“I might as well tell you the reason. Ten years ago, a fire razed Flora Lakeside. It burned for an entire day. Thirty-eight lives were lost, and now, you’ll pay in blood.”

His cold, merciless voice rang through the foyer.

James moved. In a flash, he appeared behind Warren. He wound the silver needle wire around Warren’s neck and pulled.

Blood spurted, and Warren’s head thudded to the ground.

“Ah!”

Cansington’s celebrities screamed and fell to the ground, all of them shivering in fear. Upon Warren’s death, the Xaviers did not know what to do, frozen to the spot.

James produced a black bag. He scooped Warren’s head into it and turned to leave.

Long after he had left, The Xaviers’ villa remained dead quiet. Everyone squatted on the ground, cradling their heads in their hands. Warren’s headless corpse remained motionless in the foyer.

…

At the Cadens’ cemetery, Thomas Caden’s grave.

James leaned the black bag against the tombstone.

He took a flask out and swigged a mouthful from it. He poured the rest of it in front of the grave.

“Grandfather, don’t worry. I’ll make sure that our entire family rests in peace. I’ll also get Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside's Edge back.”

After that, he got up and left.

When he returned to the House of Royals, he took a bath.

In the Xaviers’ villa.

The celebrities who were there for the celebration left.

In the foyer stood a coffin. Warren’s corpse lay on the ground.

William, who had lost an arm, had been sent to the hospital.

All the Xaviers were kneeling at Warren’s corpse.

In the lead was a beautiful woman wearing a dress. She was Warren’s youngest daughter, Rowena.

The same Rowena that destroyed the Cadens utterly.

She was in a terrible mood.

“Has anyone called Trent?”

Her roar echoed through the quiet foyer.

“Y-yes. We’ve called him.”

“Leave everything as it is. We’ll wait till Trent gets back.”

…

It was a quiet night. In Cansington’s military region, a few helicopters painted with the words “Western Border” landed.

A middle-aged man clad in a military uniform wearing a cold expression exited the helicopter.

Outside, a row of fully-armed soldiers stood in a line. They saluted the man.

A jeep appeared and the man got into it. It headed straight to the Xaviers’ villa.

Upon his arrival, he assessed the situation in the villa and saw Warren’s headless corpse. He removed his hat and fell to his knees.

“Dad, I’m sorry I’m late. I swear I’ll bring the culprit to justice no matter who he is.”

His voice, full of rage, echoed through the house.

“Trent.” Rowena appeared suddenly.

The man was Warren’s fourth son, Trent.

Trent was expressionless, his face dark. “I need the banquet’s surveillance video.”

“I’ll get it right away.” Rowena nodded and got someone to retrieve it.

Trent stood up and inspected Warren’s wound before watching the video. He saw the entire process of James killing Warren.

Coldly, he asked, “What did he say before killing dad?”

Rowena said, “Ten years ago, a fire razed Flora Lakeside. It burned for an entire day. Thirty-eight lives were lost, and now, you’ll pay in blood.”

Trent clenched his fists upon hearing this and his expression darkened. “A survivor of the Cadens?”

“It must be.”

Trent pressed his palms into his face and waved a hand at Rowena. “Bury dad. Keep it simple. I’ll make a trip to the Capital and ask the big man there about potential Caden survivors.”

Early the next morning, James received a call from Thea.

“Hey honey, I’ve managed to get in touch with my classmate. She’s willing to help and has set an appointment up with the chairman, Alex Yates. Where are you? Let’s go to Celestial Group’s office now and secure the order. Grandfather will accept you then!” Thea’s excited voice sounded through the phone.

“Wait for me at home. I’ll pick you up in a bit.”

After hanging up, James rolled out of bed and got ready at top speed.

“Where are we going, James?”

Henry was already waiting with the car.

“To Thea’s.”

“Hop in.”

James complied. With Henry at the wheel, they reached Thea’s place in no time. They waited for her outside.

Thea appeared soon.

As she was going to meet the chairman of Celestial Group, Thea had put in extra effort to groom herself. Wearing a pretty, form-fitting dress and her black hair hanging loose over her shoulders, she was a vision to behold indeed.

“Honey.”

Having seen the black multi-purpose vehicle approach from a distance, Thea jogged up to the car with a joyful expression on her face, saying, “My classmate pulled out all the stops. She’s made the appointment for us, so all we have to do is show up at Celestial Group’s office.”

James smiled thinly.

It had nothing to do with her classmate at all. If he had not spoken with Alex Yates, there would not be any appointment to speak of.

However, seeing as Thea was so happy, he decided not to spoil it. Instead, he complimented her. “I knew it. You’ve got this, darling. It’s all up to you now. If we don’t get the order, I’m out.”

Thea smiled brilliantly. “Don’t worry. I won’t let that happen.”

She might still be hazy about the details of James’ background, but she had been to his villa before.

The House of Royals was the poshest villa in Cansington, and it had a hefty price tag attached to it. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry would not be able to afford it.

She felt impossibly lucky that he was hers. Now, she wanted to prove her capability to him.

She wanted to show him that she was no longer the old Thea. Even though she had been a laughing stock for years and years, she kept up with her studies at home and was an accomplished scholar.

“Let’s go, darling.”

Thea got into the car.

James said, “Henry, to Celestial Group’s office.”

Thea cuddled up to James and thought about what happened last night. She said, “Honey, did you know that old Warren Xavier was killed last night?”

The Xaviers were the leaders of The Great Four.

As the head of the Xaviers, Warren was famous. Everyone knew who he was.

At the Xaviers’ banquet last night.

There was a celebration where they celebrated the partnership of Megatron Group and Celestial Group. Now that Megatron would be getting first dibs on Celestial’s orders, their business and influence would expand even more.

It was also Warren Xavier’s eightieth birthday.

However, a mystery person crashed the party with a coffin. He beheaded Warren and took his head with him. News spread fast, and it was the hottest news in Cansington at the moment.

Now, the relevant departments were investigating the incident.

There was not much to go on with, though.

James pretended to be shocked at Thea’s question. “I went straight to bed after I got home last night. I didn’t know about this. The Xaviers are part of The Great Four in Cansington, right?”

“That’s right,” Thea said. “The Xaviers are the leaders of The Great Four, and their businesses span various industries. Megatron Group alone, belonging to them, is more powerful than all the Callahan’s businesses added up, and the Xaviers have plenty of businesses too.”

Thea looked slightly envious. “All the women in Cansington desperately want to marry the Xaviers so that they can enjoy an easy life.”

James smiled a little. “Didn’t you have a chance yesterday? Divorce me, and you’ll have your chance.”

“Ugh.”

Thea looked unimpressed. “Being in a rich family isn’t a bed of roses. Over the past ten years, I’ve witnessed too much ridicule for my liking. To them, I’m nothing but a joke. I know full well who’s treating me sincerely. I don’t care about marrying the rich. Besides, my husband is rich.”

With that, she grinned, a blissful expression on her face.

James squeezed Thea’s hand.

She was quite a logical woman.

Henry said nothing, focusing on the road. Soon, they reached Celestial Group’s office.

An international group, Celestial Group was the Yates’ family business, which hailed from the Capital.

Their headquarters was an impressive, eight-story building.

James and Thea exited the car.

Thea looked up at the imposing building, panic creeping over her.

Over the past ten years, she had stayed home as much as she could.

However, she had a strong thirst to visit and explore the world outside. The reason why she studied so hard at home was to free herself from the proverbial cage and soar higher.

She took her phone out and called her classmate.

About 20 minutes later, a woman in thick makeup and a work skirt approached them. When she saw Thea standing at the entrance, she could not hide her surprise.

She had heard that Thea recovered her looks. Thea had even sent her a picture, but she did not believe it. She was forced to accept the truth now that she saw Thea in the flesh.

She looked envious as she noticed how beautiful Thea was now.

Coming up to them, she asked hesitantly, “Thea?”

Excitedly, Thea grabbed the other woman’s hand. She said, “Jane, it’s me! You’ve really made it as the head of a department at Celestial Group!”

Jane Whitman was extremely flattered. She smiled and said, “I’m just trying to make a living. Thea, if you want to meet the chairman, you still need the general manager’s permission. Let’s go.”

Thea stood rooted to the spot.

When they spoke on the phone yesterday, Jane promised that she had made an appointment with the chairman, Alex Yates.

“Thea, you must know that it’s not easy to get an order from Celestial. If you want the order, you’ll have to…” She bent closer to Thea and whispered something in her ear.

Thea rejected Jane’s idea firmly. “Absolutely not.”

Jane lost her patience. “Thea, if you’re unwilling to make sacrifices, how will you get anything in return? I’ve sent your picture to the manager. He has agreed to let you obtain the order if you sleep with him. You don’t even have to see the chairman!”

“Jane, I thought we were friends. Is this how you treat a friend?”

Jane looked unimpressed. “You want to get an order without a sacrifice? Let me tell you right now. It’s impossible. I’ve made it clear, so think about it and let me know if you still want to go ahead.”

She turned and left after that, her heels clicking against the floor loudly.

Thea was on the verge of tears. She turned around to look at James who had remained silent all this time. “I’m useless, aren’t I?”

James comforted her. “Of course not. Why not try and see Alex Yates straightaway? I think he’ll see you. Go on, I’ll wait for you in the car.”

James gently pushed Thea in the direction of the building.

Just then, Jane returned with a middle-aged man.

The man was in a suit and tie, looking like a successful businessman.

Jane had her arm curled intimately around his, approaching Thea once again. Smiling, she said, “Thea, this is the manager of Celestial Group. He’s in charge of all the business connections. He calls the shots on who gets the orders.”

The only reason Jane was in this position today was all because she had slept with the manager, Linus Johnson. She was his mistress.

Jane had sent Linus a picture of Thea last night.

Linus was intrigued immediately. He promised Jane that he would promote her to the position of deputy department manager if she would help him get Thea into bed.

Now that Linus saw Thea in the flesh, he was even more aroused.

Thea was even more beautiful in person.

He swore that he would get her into bed by hook or by crook.

He walked up to her with his chest puffed out. “Thea, right? Jane has told me everything. It’s a hot day today. Why don’t we take this discussion to a hotel room? Don’t worry. Come with me, and you don’t have to worry about the order. I’ll even give you a deal of fifty million dollars!”