Chapter 26
At 10:30 pm, James left the XF Club.
As he was leaving, Jacob gave him a check for ten million dollars as a consultation fee, marking the first substantial sum James had ever earned.
James understood Jacob's intentions very well; the generous sum was not only out of gratitude but also an attempt to foster a connection.
The martial arts, physiognomy, and medical skills that James demonstrated made Jacob realize the great value in him.
Initially, James did not want to become too closely involved with Jacob, but considering the inevitable interactions in the future regarding the Summit Villa, he ultimately accepted the check.
Upon returning to the Smith family villa, James moved quietly and stealthily headed straight upstairs.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw Mary coming out of the bathroom.
A white towel wrapped only around her key parts.
James immediately noticed her unbelievably straight legs.
It was rare for a woman's legs not to have imperfections, but Mary's legs had a strong physiological impact on James.
James felt his breaths coming out hot.
"Are you back already?" Seeing James, Mary was slightly startled, instinctively tightening the towel around her before relaxing. "Are you alright?"
She added, "I thought the police might have taken you away since you were out so late."
She seemed casual, but there was a hint of unease in her heart, especially since James had publicly broken Stanley's fingers.
James replied, "I'm fine."
His gaze followed her movements until she went into the adjoining room, then he retracted his eyes and said, "Jacob intervened, and the Sullivan family decided to keep the peace; they won't trouble me."
He added, "Jared even apologized to me."
"That's good." Mary's eyes showed concern. "But you owe Jacob a big favor now."
She knew all too well that the prestige of someone like Jacob wasn't easily borrowed.
Jacob had supported James this time, and he would likely extract James in return.
"I'll give you a hundred thousand dollars someday, and you can buy Jacob an expensive gift," she suggested, sitting up straighter.
"We should repay tonight's favor as much as we can."
James laughed heartily and said, "Don't worry, I saved his life. Tonight's favor should be enough to settle it."
Mary remembered the life-saving incident, and her face lost some of its worry.
She said, "James if you don't owe any favors, try to avoid dealing with Jacob in the future."
"I don't want to visit you in prison."
Getting too close to Jacob would inevitably lead to trouble, as the SH Corporation, though a business association, was involved in shady deals.
"Alright," James said, "By the way, why didn't you tell me about your financial problems?"
He had learned of the situation; Mary had been tricked by Hundred Flowers Bank.
The bank called in a hundred million dollar loan with a three-year term after just six months, claiming management risks.
This threw Mary into disarray.
The company was expanding its production, and the withdrawal of a hundred million in liquid funds severely impacted operations.
Mary tried to borrow from everywhere, even offering three times the bank's interest rate, but business partners made excuses to refuse.
After much effort, she still had a fifty-million-dollar shortfall, which led to tonight's conflict.
"Tell you?" Mary's face showed a trace of scorn.
She said, "Why should I tell you? Fifty million dollars, what could you help with?"
"If you were of any use, I wouldn't have to work so hard every day."
James smiled wryly; indeed, in the past, he wouldn't have been able to help Mary at all.
"By the way, I have ten million dollars here that Jacob insisted on giving me." He took out the check and handed it over. "You can use it first."
Mary said, "Ten million dollars?"
Her body shook, looking at James incredulously and asking, "Did Jacob give you ten million dollars?"
James made up an excuse. "Yeah, he probably didn't want to owe me a favor, so he gave ten million dollars to settle the debt of gratitude."
"I can't take this money, and neither can you," Mary said with a clear head.
She added, "Don't dare cash it; you'll never be free of it."
"Even if Jacob doesn't drag you down, the police will come after you for this money."
"Don't touch it; if you need money, I'll give it to you."
Her cold voice reminded James, who had forgotten about his exposed legs, which were still a stark white provocation to his eyes.
Stunned, James wanted to advise further, but seeing Mary's frosty face, he reluctantly put away the check.
"I'll solve my company's issues," Mary said, advising him, "You take care of the house these next few days, then find a job as soon as possible."
"Aunt Michelle was sick before, and you needed to care for her often, but now that she's better, there's no reason for you not to work."
"I don't ask you to make a lot of money, just to be stable."
She didn't want to see James cleaning and cooking every day, nor did she want him pretending to be a divine doctor deceiving people, so she hoped he would find some proper work.
James nodded again. "Okay, I'll visit my mom tomorrow and then find a job as soon as possible."
After that, he went to take a shower, and as soon as he entered the bathroom, his eyes narrowed slightly.
He saw Mary's amulet hanging on the washstand, shrouded in a wisp of black air.
Seeing Mary combing her hair, James silently took the amulet.
The Life Gem automatically spun, emitting a fierce murderous intent.
James could feel its evil.
As he was about to crush it, a face suddenly appeared in the mirror.
"Give it back to me!" Mary, appearing behind him, suddenly shouted angrily, snatching the amulet from James's hand.
James trembled all over, shocked by the breathless Mary, and for a moment, he was dumbfounded because he had never seen Mary with such an expression.
She was like a child whose beloved toy had been snatched away, shocked and angry, even mixed with ferocity, almost savage.
Holding the amulet in her hand, Mary suddenly calmed down, realizing her overreaction.
Looking at the dumbfounded James, she felt a twinge of guilt, like a child who had done something wrong.
She wanted to apologize to James, but instead, she hardened her face and scolded, "Who allowed you to touch my things?"
"Without my permission, you can't touch my belongings, or else you'll be sleeping on the third floor."
As she spoke, she clutched the amulet to her chest as if it were a treasure.
"Mary, this is truly an evil object; you must throw it away immediately." James stared at Mary, advising, "Otherwise, it will affect you and those around you, and in serious cases, it could threaten your life."
He noticed the amulet's black aura was intensifying again.
"Get out!" Mary coldly interrupted.
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