Chapter 478 The Arrow from Back Then
After giving Great-Grandma's Black Tea to Michelle, James returned to his room to shower. He was always happy to help if it made his mother happy.
After his shower, James casually browsed Cloud Sound and noticed an advertisement for "Grandma's Black Tea" from the Garcia family in Sovereign City. He took a closer look.
The ad announced Grandma's Black Tea's thirtieth anniversary celebration. It proudly displayed statistics showing that Grandma's Black Tea had been Sovereign City's sales champion for thirty years, capturing fifty percent of the market share with just one product.
James frowned slightly at this information.
He had tasted Grandma's Black Tea before. Its flavor and effectiveness were indeed excellent, so these impressive results weren't surprising.
But he recalled what his father had said—the formula, locked in his mom's safe, had been photographed by her friend Xanthe.
This meant the Grandma's Black Tea formula wasn't exclusive anymore.
Whether Xanthe produced it herself with modifications or sold it to other tea companies, it should have dealt a severe blow to the Garcia family, significantly reducing their sales. With a leaked formula, Grandma's Black Tea shouldn't maintain such a monopoly position.
As for the possibility that the Garcia family bought back the stolen formula—that seemed impossible. Xanthe wouldn't have the courage to sell it back to the original owners.
Moreover, she wouldn't have dared steal the formula without someone backing her. And with such backing, once the formula was obtained, they would naturally compete against the Garcia family.
Yet now, these calculated thieves hadn't emerged. That left only one possibility.
"The Garcia family... interesting," James quickly grasped the essence of the situation, a cold smile forming at the corner of his mouth. "I hope you treat my mother well. Otherwise, I certainly won't let you off."
For Michelle's happiness, James kept his suspicions to himself, but he silently vowed not to let the Garcia family hurt her again.
Early the next morning, James rose for his morning exercise. When he returned, he found Michelle experimenting with the tea in the kitchen, nodding with satisfaction after a few sips. Clearly, she was once again affirming her approval of James's formula.
When she saw James, she spoke excitedly: "James, your father and I will likely head to Sovereign City in the next day or two. We're planning to attend the Garcia family's thirtieth anniversary celebration next week."
"Are you free soon? If you are, I'd like you and Samantha to come with us."
Her eyes held hope and anticipation. She believed that bringing back this formula would ensure the Garcia family's acceptance of her return. She wanted James to share in her happiness.
She also planned to tell her grandmother that James had created the formula, earning him recognition and praise from the family. This would fulfill her long-held wish.
Virgil emerged with breakfast and smiled. "James, join us if you can. After everything that's happened in Glowing Oasis, a change of scenery would do you good."
"Sure, Mom and Dad. I'll come to Sovereign City to meet Great-Grandmother," James said, approaching the breakfast table. Samantha gently tapped his hand, prompting him to wash his hands first. "But you should go ahead. I have some matters to handle here in Glowing Oasis. I'll follow in a couple of days."
He bit into a steamed bun, savoring this rare moment of family warmth.
"That works. We'll take Samantha with us, and you can join when you're done," Michelle replied happily. "Just make sure you arrive in time for the ceremony."
"Mom, don't worry, I'll be there," James nodded with a smile. Before he could say more, his phone vibrated. After a brief conversation, his brow furrowed slightly.
Ten minutes later, James left Leo Villa and headed straight for the Glowing Oasis Mystic Alliance.
Soon after arriving at the Mystic Alliance hall, Ruby and the others greeted him respectfully, "Greetings, Envoy Williams!"
Having endured numerous trials together, Ruby's group had become unwaveringly loyal to James.
James waved dismissively. "We're all family here. Don't be so formal. 'Envoy' sounds too stiff—let's keep things casual."
Milo and the others smiled, the atmosphere noticeably lightening.
"So, Terrence refuses to talk?" James asked Nathaniel as they entered the hall. "Even now, he remains stubborn?"
After Terrence's capture, James had restructured Law enforcement and appointed Nathaniel as his deputy to handle daily affairs.
"James, Terrence probably knows he can't escape his fate, so he's shut his eyes and refuses to say anything," Nathaniel complained. "Many of Law enforcement's techniques were developed by him, so they're useless against him."
"I've been at it for forty hours straight, and he hasn't said a word." He sighed helplessly. "If only Dax hadn't returned to Ten Thousand Mountains—one Gu Sorcery spell from him, and Terrence would spill everything."
"Though Terrence's character is questionable, his skills and psychological resilience are first-rate," Milo added. "Extracting information from him won't be easy."
"Absolutely!" Ruby nodded slightly. "James, why not just punish Terrence directly? Why bother extracting information from him? What are you hoping to learn?"
Her face showed genuine confusion.
James replied calmly: "Terrence has been Law enforcement Elder for years. Given his style, he's certainly bent the rules for personal gain many times."
"By uncovering these instances, I can make examples of a few to warn the many, intimidating the entire Mystic Alliance."
"I can also hold leverage over these people, ensuring they behave properly and don't dare oppose me."
James added with a playful smile, "Of course, there's another goal—finding out how much money Terrence has collected so I can target his beneficiaries."
Milo, Mia, and the others laughed along with James, though inwardly they felt increased respect for him. The First Envoy's methods were indeed incisive.
As they spoke, the group arrived at the basement. Despite being underground, it was spacious—apart from the stale air, it resembled an ordinary building.
On their way to Terrence's cell, James spotted Elysia. Compared to her former arrogance, she now resembled a frightened rabbit.
After enduring two attacks from Gu Sorcery and witnessing the battle at Maple Hill, both her body and confidence had collapsed.
"James, President Williams, Mr. Williams—please, spare me," Elysia exclaimed, first startling backward before rushing forward. "I'll do anything, agree to anything, if you'll just let me go."
James smiled without responding, not even glancing at her as he walked past. Nathaniel had someone push Elysia back.
Soon, James stood before Terrence. The once-arrogant Law enforcement Elder now looked haggard and pale as a prisoner.
James stepped forward. "Mr. Wheeler, good morning."
"James, cut the nonsense. I know what you want to ask, but don't get your hopes up," Terrence didn't even look up. "I won't tell you anything useful, even if it kills me."
"Winners write history. Kill me if you want," he continued defiantly. "But I should warn you—if I die, countless people in the Mystic Alliance will despise you, hate you, want you dead."
"Even if I don't kill you, plenty in the Mystic Alliance will hate me anyway," James replied with a faint smile. "At my age and position, it would be strange if they accepted me. They'll certainly cause me trouble in the future."
Terrence laughed coldly. "Good that you understand."
"Because I understand, I've come to see if you have any leverage I can use to keep them in line for a while," James admitted frankly. "At least until I've grown stronger, they'll need to watch their step."
At the mention of leverage, Terrence's face twitched before he snorted, "I have nothing."
"Mr. Wheeler, this isn't wise," James smiled slightly. "You're forcing me to be harsh."
Terrence scoffed. "Bring it on."
"Mia, give Elysia the most comfortable bath, the best food, the most elegant clothes, then bring her here," James ordered calmly. "Tell her if she can uncover Mr. Wheeler's secrets, I'll not only spare her but make her a member of Law enforcement."
Mia immediately responded, "Yes!"
Terrence's expression changed dramatically.
James smiled at him. "Mr. Wheeler, you must hold firm."
Elysia was Terrence's most prized and admired subordinate. They knew each other inside and out. Using her to pry open Terrence's mouth would be highly efficient.
Milo and the others couldn't help but admire James's strategy.
Terrence's eyes flew open. "James, you can't be this shameless!"
Elysia knew him too well—not just his abilities, but his weaknesses. If she turned against him, Terrence wouldn't stand a chance.
"As you said yourself, winners write history," James replied indifferently. "So at this point, talking about shamelessness is meaningless."
As he spoke, footsteps echoed in the corridor, along with Elysia's ecstatic voice.
"I'll talk, I'll talk..." Terrence said desperately. "I took thirty million dollars from a city's Mystic Alliance chairman to halt an investigation into his embezzlement of student fees."
"A vice chairman was privately selling Blood Medical Sect's blood-replenishing pills. I took ten million dollars to drop that case."
"Two hall masters fought, causing over thirty member casualties. After taking money, I underreported the deaths to protect their positions."
"Three months ago, I got drunk and lost control at a club, behaving in a way that betrayed the Mystic Alliance's trust."
He loudly confessed his crimes to James, "Atticus seduced more than a dozen female disciples, leading two to suicide. I covered that up too."
"Terrence, you're being quite vague. Perhaps it's better to let Elysia question you after all," James said mockingly, seeing that Terrence was minimizing his offenses. He clapped his hands, preparing to leave.
"Sovereign City! The Sovereign City Mystic Alliance..." Terrence blurted out desperately. "Years ago, when The Dragon's Breath's Mrs. Williams was injured and fell into a coma, it was Chairman Uri Lopez's Divine Mechanism Arrow..."
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