Nevertheless, James was a Black Dragon. To him, cowering to evil for survival was worse than being dead.Back when he was covered in wounds, almost defeated by the enemy, he did not kneel.When he married Thea and became the son-in-law of the Callahan family, he swore to never let Thea feel sad again.“He was the one who insulted Thea, so he should be apologizing,” James said while pointing at Tommy. “Thea had nothing to do with Alex. Alex only chose to work with the Celestial Group because he owes me a favor for saving his life on the battlefield.”James wanted to shield Thea from the insults, but he could not let them know his real identity.Everybody was shocked to learn the truth.James continued, “If you want an invitation to the Blithe King’s coronation ceremony, I can get one. However, I hope you will stop insulting Thea. Let’s go, Thea.”After that, he left with Thea’s hand in his, not even looking back.He knew as long as Thea was here, she would continue being the pun

Outside the Callahan mansion.“Enough.”Thea pulled away from James’s grip and stared him in the eyes. “James, are you done throwing your fit? This is my family. If my grandpa wants you to kneel, just do it. Why are you being so stubborn?”“Thea, I…”“Go.”Thea turned and walked back into the mansion without another word.James was dumbfounded. He was the Black Dragon. This was not something that should happen to him.However, for Thea’s sake, he chose to swallow all of it.He knew Thea valued her family above everything else. That was why he did not run after her when she left. Instead, he waited outside.He sat on the stairs outside the entrance, lighting a cigarette and taking out his phone. He made a call to Henry. “I want to meet the Blithe King.”The most he could do now was to get Thea an invitation.Only by doing so could he help to raise the Callahans’ social status and make Thea happy.Soon, Henry called back. “James, the appointment is made. The Blithe King wants

Although he was at the same level as the Blithe King, James never took him seriously.The same went for the four other commanders-in-chief.“Hold on.” The Blithe King stopped him from leaving.“Huh?” James looked back. “Anything else?”“Trent was my subordinate.” The Blithe King was quite angry. The murderer of his former subordinate did not even give him an excuse as to why he was killed.“So what?” James only had apathy.“Mind explaining why?”“I told you, he deserved it. Also, I’m not begging you for an invitation. You can choose not to give me one.”James left.A man walked out of the dark after James was out of sight.“He really doesn’t give a damn about you.”The Blithe King laughed it off, and said, “That’s how he is. He wouldn’t act any different even if Jesus came to Earth. Let this go. Trent deserved his death. You, go deliver an invitation to the Callahans.”The man felt reluctant and asked, “Sir, you’re letting him go just like this?”The Blithe King replied, “

James returned home. Before he could exit the elevator, his phone rang. It was Henry.“James, news from the Blithe King. He sent his men to deliver the Callahans their invitation.”“Okay, got it.”James hung up.He knocked on the door only to be greeted by Alyssa Myers, David’s wife. “Pathetic loser, are you not embarrassed enough to still come home—”James walked past her, entering the house. As soon as he saw Thea on the couch, a smile bloomed across his face. “Thea, I already got people to send us an invitation.”Thea was in disbelief, as she asked, “Those are men from the Western Border Patrol. How did you get those guys?”James laughed. “Did you forget that I was a soldier? I have some connections in the military higher-ups.”“But your resume said you served in the Southern Plains. What does the South have to do with the army at the West?”James explained, “We aren’t related directly, but my ex-superior has ties with a big shot at the western border. Anyways, I managed to

“The Oswalds are the best.”“That goes without saying. Their business, Grandeur Pharmaceuticals, is one of the biggest in Cansington. Colson’s father Stefon Oswald is a social butterfly. He has a lot of connections.”“Thank god Colson is with us, or else we would never get an invitation.”“Megan got herself the right boyfriend. Look at how he’s helping her family.”The Callahans were flattering Colson, almost making him trippy. “It’s just a small contribution.”Just when everybody was bathing in the celebratory mood over getting an invitation, James and Thea entered the house, followed by Gladys, Benjamin, David, and Alyssa.Their presence made the atmosphere drop to a low.Megan stood up, rather bothered. “What are you doing here?”Thea called, “Megan, sis…”Megan screeched and berated her, “Don’t regard me as your family.”Lex’s wonderful mood was spoiled by seeing Thea’s family in his mansion, especially when he saw James, this arrogant son-in-law that dared to disrespect

All James wanted was to make Thea happy. He asked the Blithe King for an invitation, but he had not expected someone else to take the credit for it and cause Thea to misunderstand the situation.He ran after her when his call with Henry ended.“Thea.”He caught up to her and grabbed her arm. “I wasn’t lying to you,” he tried to explain. “I had someone send that invitation, but I wasn’t expecting them to take the credit for it.”“You’re still trying to steal credit? You’re useless!” Gladys snapped. “Haven’t we been humiliated enough?!”“Sis, he’s just a retired soldier,” David said to Thea. “There’s no way he’s as capable as he says. Just divorce him!”“Enough, James,” Thea said, tears pooling at the corner of her eyes. “I’m grateful for how well you treated me, and I’m forever grateful you healed me. But I don’t want to see you right now! Please leave!”With that, she turned around, sobbing as she ran.James panicked.He had never felt so helpless, even when he faced thousan

“Hm?”“Buy that newly built trade center in Cansington.”“What?”Henry stared at James in shock.The Trade City Center was a newly built trade center. In it, there were over 50 buildings that were 50 floors tall, as well as a night market, a pedestrian zone, and an antique street.The Trade City Center was complete. It was a joint effort from several real estate tycoons to turn it into the grandest trade center in the country.“What? Do we not have enough money? Then use our connections to do so.”Henry stared at James. “Just what are you planning, boss?” he could not help but ask. “We have around two hundred billion if we added our funds together, but do you know how big that trade center is? Just the land it’s built on is worth a fortune! I heard the real estate tycoons invested around five hundred billion into the place. It took them five years to finish construction.”James did not care for the details. “Just tell me how much it’s going to cost.”Henry thought about it. “W

The bank had liquidated the Xaviers’ other villas, so now they were homeless and had to rent houses to live in. This remaining villa was Rowena Xavier’s personal property.Trent’s plan to heavily inflate the prices of worthless artifacts and sell them off to people had worked. Most of the attendees had spent money in that auction and bought something from the Xaviers, intimidated by Trent’s power.Trent may have died, but the money fell into Rowena’s hands. Rowena was a woman, but she became a pillar of hope after Warren and Trent’s deaths. The Xaviers all turned to her, in hopes of her pulling them back up into wealth.An old man, around 50 years of age, lay on the bed in a room on the second floor of the Xaviers’ remaining villa.Beside him was a woman clad in a white dress.That woman was Rowena Xavier. She was in her 30s but looked no older than 19 thanks to her high-maintenance lifestyle.She was slim and had delicate facial features. She was an attractive woman in every

Rowena’s expression darkened. She finally knew who destroyed her family.“What the hell do you want, James?”“Haha…”James started laughing, but there was no humor in it. His laughter was terrifying.“You’re asking me what I want, Rowena?“You’re the reason my grandfather was falsely accused and turned into the laughingstock of the entire town.“You’re the one that caused my father to have a heart attack, then pushed him off the third floor and lied to everyone that he committed suicide.“You, and the rest of The Great Four, tied my entire family up and set fire to our home. You killed more than thirty people, and you’re asking me what I want?!”James was like a tiger that had escaped its cage. Bloodlust emanated from him.He roared, making Rowena’s ears ring and stunning her.She was afraid now. She had never been so scared.Rowena was a smart woman. James killed her father and brother, but the news about it had been suppressed. She knew the man standing before her was no l

James’ roar was like cracking thunder, making Rowena’s ears ring and leaving her in a daze.All she could do was sob, not knowing how else to respond.After a while, she finally calmed down enough to say something, her face a look of despair. “I don’t know… I really don’t... I-I think Trent took the painting to the Capital as a gift for someone.”Slice!James picked up the switchblade from the bed and swung it at Rowena’s hand, splattering blood everywhere.Rowena opened her mouth in agony, but no sound came out. Her expression twisted hideously in pain and she trembled.James casually pulled out some silver needles and inserted them into Rowena’s body.Rowena could not die yet. Not without the painting back in his hands.Her palm stopped bleeding after the needles were inserted, but the pain was still there. It was an unbearable kind of pain.Right now, all she wanted was to die.James was right. Living was worse than death, yet she was unable to die.James sat back down