Chapter 5

Gideon frowned, taking a deep breath: "In the past, I was wrong to you and your mother, that's undeniable. But if you were in my position, you'd do the same. A man can lose everything, but the power in his hands is irreplaceable!"

"Oh…" Theophilus shook his head, realizing even now Gideon had no remorse, no guilt.

Gideon still believed he was right. It was to be expected; people like him had no emotions, only a vision for power.

"I'll choose when to visit grandfather, but the affairs of the Alexander family are none of my concern." Theophilus said coldly, standing up to leave.

"Son!" Gideon's sharp gaze followed Theophilus.

"Go then. I've told you the conditions, and I will wait for you. I believe you'll come back to beg me." Gideon said nonchalantly, still confident.

He was fully aware of Theophilus's current situation and didn't believe Theophilus could refuse his offer.

A useless son-in-law for two years, how could he easily refuse such a chance to rise to greatness? Who wouldn't want to be better than others?

"Hmph, then wait at your leisure."

Theophilus coldly smiled, not looking back as he walked out of the hotel.

...

In Inferno Fang, Elysian Echo City, at the James Corporation building.

The building, with over seventy floors, stood imposingly in the city's center.

This was the busiest area in Elysian Echo City, with the James Corporation building being a landmark.

A few years ago, the James Corporation's move to Elysian Echo City had shaken all of Empyria. It was the enterprise of the James family, the largest in Empyria, yet they chose a smaller dwelling than their previous one.

Theophilus approached the building and entered the reception hall.

"Hello, sir, may I ask who you are looking for?" A polite receptionist inquired.

"I'm here to see the chairman, Magnus James." Theophilus said nonchalantly.

"You're here for Chairman James? Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked.

This young man, dressed in ordinary clothes, didn't seem like someone who could meet with the chairman.

Chairman Magnus, the spokesperson for the James family, was immensely powerful and wealthy. Not many in Elysian Echo City were deemed worthy of speaking with him.

Theophilus said: "Tell him I am a friend of Conal James.”

“Alright, please wait a moment." the receptionist hesitated before making a call. She had never heard of a Conal James at the James Corporation.

In the imposing office of the chairman, a middle-aged, dignified man was handling corporate documents.

Knock, knock!

“Come in.”

A young secretary stepped in respectfully and said: "Mr. Chairman, someone at the reception is looking for you.”

“The reception? I don’t have any appointments today, do I?” The middle-aged man frowned, speaking with authority: "I don’t need to be informed about every person who comes looking for me, understand?”

“This is...” The secretary hesitated: "The person says they are a friend of Conal James. I thought it might be a family member, so I came to report.”

Conal James!

The chairman's expression froze, then he frowned. Conal was the head of the James family and also his grandfather's name.

It was known that only the main branch of the James family was aware of the grandfather’s full name, and no one dared to use it. In a small city like Elysian Echo, how could someone know his grandfather's name and come looking for him?

“What does this person look like?” Magnus inquired.

“A young man, about twenty years old." the secretary replied.

“Let him in." Magnus said seriously, still puzzled: "A young man in his twenties?”

Five minutes later, Theophilus was

escorted by the secretary to the chairman's office on the sixtieth floor.

Theophilus sat down with ease.

The middle-aged man, exuding a commanding presence, observed him closely with a serious expression.

“Who are you?” Magnus asked suspiciously, unable to fully gauge the young man before him.

“Do you recognize this?” Theophilus presented a strikingly green Jade Amulet.

The Jade Amulet Command bore intricate patterns, with the James family name prominently engraved in the center.

“What is this?” Magnus was visibly startled as he beheld the Jade Amulet Command, his mind reeling.

This was a Jade Amulet Command, symbolizing a status within the James family, of which only a few existed. Even as the family spokesperson, he didn’t possess one...

He recalled seeing his father holding a James family Jade Amulet Command as a child, but even that was of a lower status compared to the amulet held by this young man.

“Wait here, I need to call manager Byrne." Magnus said solemnly, his address towards Theophilus turning respectful, cautious not to show any negligence.

Theophilus nodded slightly. He had no doubts about what his master had told him, having met Conal, the head of the James family, in his youth. Even Conal had shown utmost respect and politeness towards his master, let alone his grandson.

Before coming here, Theophilus had learned that Magnus belonged to the third generation of the James family. While not the most talented of his generation, he was far from ordinary and managed the James Corporation effectively.

The James Corporation’s business spanned across Empyria, including the auction of antiques, jade jewelry, and pharmaceutical research, effectively dominating the commercial landscape.

In just a moment, Magnus invited an elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in a red traditional Eastern suit.

Magnus then respectfully stepped aside.

He was only responsible for managing the business aspects of the corporation, while all the secret affairs were handled by Mr. Byrne, sent by his grandfather.

The elderly man, about sixty years old, moved briskly, his eyes sharp and spirited, exuding abundant energy.

He glanced at the jade piece in Theophilus's hand, his eyelids twitched strongly, then he calmly took a breath and said: "I am Phelan Byrne, may I know how to address you?"

"Theophilus Jake."

"Mr. Jake, you bring the Jade Amulet Command to the James Corporation. Forgive my abruptness, but may I verify your identity?" Phelan asked seriously.

"Sure." Theophilus nodded.

He could tell Phelan was no ordinary man, clearly a rare expert in ancient martial arts.