Chapter 342 Beg Me
"Don't sweat it, James. You'll get every cent of that ten million bucks." Mr. Rivera gave James a firm handshake. "But I need you to hang tight for a bit."
"I don't have ten million on me right now. I came out here for some medical treatment and pretty much blew through all my cash."
"Where are you headed?" Mr. Rivera pressed on, "Leave me a number. I promise, within twenty-four hours, I'll have someone deliver the ten million to you."
"I'm going to Glowing Oasis." James gave Mr. Rivera a meaningful look, then grabbed a pen and paper from the table and jotted down a number. "I'll be there for a week."
"Glowing Oasis, huh? What a coincidence." Mr. Rivera exclaimed in surprise, then waved over Kaida. "James, this is my goddaughter, Kaida."
James was taken aback. Goddaughter? He had assumed she was a bodyguard or a trusted aide. Then it clicked. To avoid gossip, Kaida usually didn't call Mr. Rivera 'godfather' when they were out in public.
"Kaida, James is my benefactor. Make sure you take care of any issues he has at Glowing Oasis."
Mr. Rivera pointed at James, making his intentions clear. He wanted to win James over.
Kaida, who was strikingly beautiful but known for her tough demeanor, was always respectful to Mr. Rivera. Hearing his words, she immediately dropped her haughty attitude and bowed deeply to James.
"Mr. Williams, I apologize for any offense earlier."
"If you need anything in the future, just let me know."
Whether it was his medical skills or martial prowess, Kaida was in awe of James and didn't dare to act out again.
James spoke calmly, "No need to be so formal. Let's look out for each other."
He took Kaida's business card and left his number in return. After all, having more friends meant more opportunities, especially with someone as influential as the leader of Glowing Oasis.
"Mr. Williams, rest assured, the ten million dollars will be in your account before sunset." Mr. Rivera laughed heartily, then handed James a box. "I have something else for you. I hope you'll accept it."
"This is a ginseng root given to me by an old friend. I was going to use it to improve my health, but now that the toxins are cleared, I don't need it anymore. Consider it a gift."
Mr. Rivera was enthusiastic. "Please accept it as a token of friendship."
He opened the box to reveal a ginseng root, still covered in soil to keep it fresh. It looked like a white carrot, but James could tell it was at least five hundred years old and extremely valuable.
"Thank you, Mr. Rivera." James didn't hesitate. After all, he had saved Mr. Rivera's life, so he deserved this gift. He took the box and said, "See you around."
Then, James bought a bottle of soda and left.
"Mr. Rivera, ten million dollars is nothing to us. We could write checks for billions anytime. Why did you say we don't have the money?"
After James left, Kaida approached Mr. Rivera, looking puzzled. "Do you think his medical skills aren't worth ten million dollars?"
"Quite the opposite." Mr. Rivera's eyes were sharp. "James is a hidden master, with top-notch medical and martial skills. He may not be famous now, but he will be a force to be reckoned with."
"For someone like him, no, a benefactor, we can't just be a passing acquaintance."
"We need to seize this rare opportunity and build a relationship with him. Otherwise, we won't be able to reach him in the future."
Mr. Rivera looked at Kaida. "Kaida, I'll continue to Stardust City. You get off at Glowing Oasis."
"Now that I'm cured, I need to show my face in Stardust City and let the Smith Clan and the other three families know that I'm not stepping down anytime soon."
"They can dream on if they think I'll die young."
Mr. Rivera's eyes burned with determination. "Remember, you need to build a good relationship with James. Help him with anything that doesn't cross our bottom line."
Kaida bowed respectfully. "Got it."
Mr. Rivera suddenly asked, "By the way, has there been any news or changes in Stardust City lately?"
Since he fell ill, he had lost interest in affairs and stopped paying attention to the situation in Celestia. He just wanted to get better or die painlessly.
Now that he was cured, Mr. Rivera's eyes sparkled with renewed vigor. He felt like he could take on the world.
"There's been some news, not too big but not small either." Kaida replied without hesitation, "Amanda's branch of the Smith Clan was attacked by Bryan. Over sixty people were killed or injured."
"Amanda, Jane, and Eagle Lady are all dead. The thirteenth branch of the Smith Clan is further weakened."
"But Nicholas Smith has placed Mary in charge, stabilizing the branch and its morale."
Kaida added, "Your hope for chaos in the Smith Clan didn't pan out."
"Mary." Mr. Rivera squinted slightly. "Charles's daughter, the one they abandoned?"
Kaida nodded lightly. "That's right."
"Interesting." Mr. Rivera chuckled. "Charles should have died over twenty years ago, but not only did he survive, he made it back to Stardust City."
"Making it back to Stardust City is an overstatement. He's just a pawn for Nicholas."
Kaida laughed. "Charles had a strong force over twenty years ago and still didn't make it. Now, in this environment, he has even less chance."
"Besides, Charles and his family going to Stardust City isn't about rising to power. It's more like Nicholas keeping a dog by his side."
Kaida added, "It's for amusement and to kill whenever he wants."
"True." Mr. Rivera's tone was indifferent. "But still, a stagnant pond needs some ripples."
As Mr. Rivera and Kaida talked, James was packing up to get off the train.
He knew Mr. Rivera's intentions but didn't expose them. After all, Mr. Rivera was trying to curry favor with him.
Soon, the train arrived at Glowing Oasis. James got off and, following Bruce's instructions, circled around to the west exit.
He immediately spotted a black Audi parked across the street.
A young man with a buzz cut was leaning against the car, playing on his phone.
James checked the license plate, then walked over. "Wayne? I'm Bruce's nephew."
Wayne nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then gave James a cold once-over. "You're James?"
Wayne Cooper was a distant cousin of Coralie's. Though just a driver, he considered himself part of her family and had a high opinion of himself.
Bruce had only told him to pick someone up from the train station, not mentioning James's status.
Wayne assumed he was picking up a rich kid, but instead, it was someone who looked like they came from the countryside.
He figured James was just another relative trying to take advantage of their connections.
Wayne's smile faded instantly. He lit a cigarette, opened the car door, and coldly told James to get in.
"Put your stuff in the trunk. Be careful, the Audi is new. Don't scratch it."
"You sit in the back. You're covered in dust. Don't dirty the car."
Then Wayne spread a newspaper on the back seat. "I can't stand you country folks, always coming to the city, thinking you could have some opportunites."
James's eyes turned cold. He stuck out his foot and tripped Wayne.
Wayne was furious. "You looking for trouble?"
James slapped him across the face.
Wayne went flying, losing a tooth.
Enraged, he grabbed a wrench and shouted, "I'm gonna kill you!"
James sneered. "Do you have red spots on your body that flare up painfully after sex?"
Wayne froze. "How do you know?"
James slapped him again. "Beg me."
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