Chapter 324 Fraud?
As the sun dipped low, James hit the road with Mia, heading for Storm Pavilion.
Richard had wanted to tag along, but James shut that down quick. It wasn't a big deal, and he didn't need Richard stressing over it.
Plus, James didn't want him in the mix, so he just brought Mia along to point the way.
"After you hit Gregory today, he went to the hospital immediately and called Zachary. You know how Zachary is. When he heard you busted Gregory's hands and ribs, he hauled ass over from Stardust City with his wife, Stephanie Clark, and his goons in tow. Looked like they were gunning for you. But then he caught wind that Lancelot's in Rosewood City and you're in the running for the LA presidency, so he's flipped the script, asking Lancelot to 'settle things.' Guess he's trying to use Lancelot to take you down." On the way, Mia summarized what Richard had instructed, "But Richard also told you not to worry. Gregory is not in any life-threatening danger, and he was at fault first. The most important thing is that Lancelot needs you, so he won't do anything to you. At most, you'll have to apologize and pay some money to resolve it."
She let out a long breath, praying that the outcome would be as she hoped. Otherwise, James would have a lot of troubles in the future. Offending an elder of the Mystic Alliance was no small matter.
The nine elders were almost all promoted from the position of local presidents, possessing power, connections, and wealth.
"Apologize? Pay some money?" James smiled faintly, "Do you think Samantha's matter can be settled just like that?"
Mia was stunned, her body trembled, her mind went blank. She had originally intended for James to apologize and compensate, but now hearing his tone, it seemed he wanted the other party to give him an explanation.
She quickly reminded him, "James, Zachary is an elder after all. Lancelot will more or less take his feelings into account."
James ignored her words and asked, "What's Lancelot like?"
Mia hesitated, then muttered, "Brutal. No mercy. He doesn't play by the rules, doesn't give a damn about the big picture. Total wildcard—straight-up thug vibes. But that's exactly how he kept the Mystic Alliance elders in line. You know how it is—guys like Zachary, they're big shots, climbed up from local presidencies, got money, skills, status, and their little dynasties. They don't bow to anyone easily. And they sure as hell look down on everyone else."
James nodded lightly, "Got it."
Half an hour later, guided by Mia, James arrived at a villa in the suburbs.
The place was nestled against the mountain, with a river snaking by its base. It had this quiet, almost mystical vibe—serene but with a touch of grandeur.
The villa sprawled across six courtyards, each one deep and shadowed, with dark tiled roofs that gave off this imposing, almost intimidating feel.
Mia informed him that this was Lancelot's residence in Rosewood City.
Storm Pavilion was in the back garden of the villa, standing on a cliff, with raging winds and waters.
James nodded lightly and glanced around, noticing that the parking lot was filled with luxury cars, at least thirty of them, indicating that many people had arrived.
Undoubtedly, Zachary wanted Lancelot to seek justice for Gregory.
As James and Mia walked towards the mountain gate, a sharp sound was heard, and a dozen men and women suddenly appeared at the entrance.
They swept towards James with hostility.
In the middle, they surrounded a wheelchair, and sitting in it was Gregory.
His head was bandaged, his ribs were braced, and he looked somewhat comical, but the resentment in his eyes was unmistakably clear.
"James!" Gregory gritted his teeth, "You're dead today."
A dozen companions also pressed forward, surrounding James with a menacing attitude, ready to attack at any moment.
Mia quickly shouted, "Gregory, stop! This is Storm Manor, and James was summoned by Lancelot!"
At the mention of Lancelot, Gregory's crew hesitated, their tough-guy act dialing back a notch.
Gregory also squinted his eyes.
James impatiently shouted, "Get lost, fuck off my way!"
Gregory was infuriated by James, wanting to order a group attack but knowing he couldn't be reckless, or it might displease Lancelot.
He reluctantly instructed, "Make way!"
James stepped out of the circle, stone-faced, and gave Gregory a casual shoulder check.
That little nudge sent Gregory stumbling back like a ragdoll, slamming into a marble statue by the entrance. Blood gushed from his head.
Clutching his skull, he hit the ground, howling toward Storm Manor, "He hit me! James hit me! Somebody help me!"
He even slapped himself hard, making his right cheek swell up with five clear finger marks.
Mia was stunned on the spot. She had seen deceit before, but never such shameless deceit.
Lancelot hated surveillance, so there were no cameras around, and with Gregory's crew everywhere, it was impossible to clear James's name.
Just then, a crowd started pouring out of Storm Manor—men and women, all sorts of accents. They gathered around, drawn to the commotion.
Seeing the audience, Gregory turned up the drama, yelling like a madman, "He hit me! James hit me! Ah! It... it hurts so bad!"
He even smeared the blood on himself, playing up the victim act like a pro.
Mia couldn't help but shout angrily, "Gregory, you're too despicable!"
James took one look at the blood on Gregory's head and the fake slap marks on his face, and a cold smirk spread across his lips—pure disdain.
The crowd started buzzing, their whispers cutting through the air.
"Who the hell is this guy? Does he have a death wish or something?"
"Yeah, this is Storm Manor—Lancelot's turf in Rosewood City. Starting trouble here is basically suicide."
"Isn't that James? The one who took out Larry?"
"Oh, right! I heard he's got some clout in Rosewood City!"
"Seriously, who cares? Showing up here and causing a scene? That's a straight-up middle finger to Lancelot. If Lancelot decides to end him, no one's gonna step in to stop it!"
They closed in, throwing shade at James like he was some arrogant punk who'd crossed the wrong guy.
Gregory's scheme succeeded.
Mia was almost frantic, "It's not like that, he ran into it himself."
"Move it, move it!" Just then, a bunch of the Carter family showed up, led by a woman in black who looked like she was about to lose it.
It was Gregory's mom, Stephanie.
Zachary, though, was nowhere to be seen.
Stephanie rushed over, took one look at Gregory's bloody head and James standing there with his hands behind his back, and her face went dark.
"Gregory, honey, what the hell happened? Why are you bleeding? And what's with the marks on your face?" She was fuming. "Who laid a hand on my son? Step up right now."
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