Chapter 499 Upholding Justice
Fifteen minutes later, James and Beckett's group arrived at the Garcia Mansion's council hall.
If not for Michelle constantly restraining him, James would have already given Beckett another beating. Even so, he silently vowed they would pay for what they'd done.
The Garcia Mansion's council hall was massive—approximately 5,000 square feet. A single chair dominated the center, with additional seating along both sides. Priceless oil paintings adorned the walls behind.
James and his family had barely taken their positions when footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Several attendants entered, escorting a white-haired elderly woman. Though small in stature with a slightly hunched back and leaning on a cane, her piercing eyes betrayed her formidable presence.
When her gaze fell on James, it felt like being stabbed with a needle—clearly, she was not someone easily crossed.
Without question, this was the Garcia family matriarch.
Dozens of family members rushed in to witness the spectacle, crowding doorways, windows, and the hall itself.
They all regarded Michelle and James with contempt, having already decided they were thieves.
Several women pursed their lips in disdain, convinced that country folk like James could never fit into high society.
The Garcia family, they believed, should never allow such people to return and tarnish their reputation.
"Mrs. Garcia," Michelle, Beckett, Githa, and several family elders greeted her in unison.
She ignored them, walking directly to her chair.
"The Garcia family has always valued harmony, yet today you've disgraced us with this spectacle," she finally said after a long pause, clearing her throat. "You will give me an explanation."
"Mrs. Garcia, it happened like this," Githa stepped forward before James or Michelle could speak.
"With our 30th anniversary celebration approaching—which coincides with your 90th birthday—Beckett thought we should set aside old grudges and reunite the family by inviting Michelle to Sovereign City."
She painted herself as the benevolent host. "We treated them to the finest food and accommodations, even transferring a property to them."
She briefly summarized the events, emphasizing that the tea formula had been found during a search of Cloud Residence.
"Beckett was understandably upset and wanted to teach Michelle a lesson to prevent her from harming the Garcia family again. But her son James, relying on brute strength, attacked us all—even the family elders."
The two family elders nodded in confirmation, pointing accusatory fingers at James.
Michelle stepped forward to explain, "Mrs. Garcia, that's not what happened—"
"Wretch!" The matriarch swung her cane, striking Michelle. "After all these years, you've learned nothing! Stealing once wasn't enough—you had to steal again? You've disappointed me terribly."
Michelle cried out in pain, nearly falling.
James caught her and seized the cane. "Mrs. Garcia, how can you pass judgment after hearing only one side?"
"Yes, I struck Beckett and the others, but only because they were beating my mother and threatening to cut off her fingers. I was defending her."
He tossed the cane aside. "If you want justice, at least be fair."
"Who do you think you are to speak to me this way?" she fumed. "Their treatment of your mother was justified—she stole our formula!"
She swung her cane at James, who kicked it away without hesitation, further enraging her.
"Michelle, look at the child you've raised—no manners whatsoever, daring to challenge me!" She glared at James. "Have you taught him no respect? Do you still wish to return to the Garcia family?"
"I respect my elders, but I won't tolerate bullying," James declared, burning his bridges completely. "Let me be clear: this formula wasn't created by Beckett. It's called Great Grandma's Black Tea, and I developed it myself."
"My mother brought it as a peace offering to make amends for accidentally leaking a formula twenty years ago."
His gaze locked on Beckett. "This shameless man took my formula from my mother, then copied it and claimed it as his own." James challenged him directly, "Beckett, swear to God this formula is your creation!"
"If I didn't create it, are you suggesting you did?" Beckett scoffed. "Do you really think Mrs. Garcia would believe that an ordinary person like you could develop such an extraordinary formula? This is a level-six tea formula!"
He continued shamelessly, "Besides me, no one in this world could possibly create it."
Beckett's motives were clear: he saw Michelle as an easy target; if she presented the formula, family rules dictated she would receive thirty percent of profits.
He'd already tested the formula, finding it superior to Grandma's Black Tea by an entire level—it would remain unmatched for a decade. If credited as his creation, he would become the true king of tea.
Githa and the family elders exchanged smirks. If Michelle had stumbled upon the formula by chance, perhaps that would be believable—but James creating it? Laughable.
Even Garcia family tea experts with decades of experience struggled to develop level-five tea. James creating level-six? Absurd.
"Mrs. Garcia, please examine this—the formula we found at Cloud Residence." Beckett presented the document. "The paper, the handwriting..."
Githa produced the confession. "Michelle admitted her guilt. She only recanted when James intimidated her."
"Mrs. Garcia," Michelle pleaded, "This formula truly is James's creation!"
"Silence!" The matriarch glanced at the formula, cutting Michelle off. "Beckett has provided evidence. If you claim the formula is yours, produce your own evidence."
She slammed her hand on the table, eyes flashing. "If you can prove the formula belongs to you today, I'll ensure justice is served. But if you cannot, you're guilty of theft and defamation—a compounded crime. You'll rot in prison."
The family elders watched coldly.
"Evidence? Simple enough." James stepped forward, opening his phone and projecting an image onto the wall.
"After writing the formula, I photographed it to preserve it in case the paper was damaged. This is the Great Grandma's Black Tea formula."
"You can compare the ingredients—no, they're identical, no need to compare. But look at the handwriting and the date I took the photo: the day before we left Glowing Oasis for Sovereign City!"
James enlarged the timestamp.
The Garcia family members looked startled. The formula matched exactly, though the handwriting differed, and the photo was indeed taken days earlier.
Beckett and Githa blanched, clearly unprepared for this evidence.
"Though I'm old-fashioned, even I know photographs can be easily falsified," the matriarch dismissed the evidence with a wave.
"You could have stolen the formula, copied it by hand, photographed it, and altered the date. This proves nothing."
Githa nodded vigorously. "Exactly! This isn't evidence!"
"Mrs. Garcia, the timestamp is automatically generated by my phone. I can show you the original file," James said coldly. "Any professional could verify its authenticity in minutes."
"That won't be necessary. I lack the energy for such verification," she rejected his suggestion outright. "Produce more direct evidence, or you will apologize to Beckett and confess your crimes to the police."
James's face twisted with contempt. Her claim of lacking energy was transparent—she had clearly sided with Beckett.
"Mrs. Garcia," Michelle suggested, "I can brew the tea according to the formula for you to taste. It will match exactly!"
"Mrs. Garcia, my formula has been missing for an entire day," Beckett countered, cutting off Michelle's avenue of defense.
"During that time, Michelle could have secretly brewed dozens of batches to perfect the recipe. Her ability to recreate it proves nothing."
His eyes narrowed threateningly. "I should also warn you—this is a level-six formula. If you leak it, you won't just face years in prison. You could face the death penalty."
"You—" Michelle trembled with rage, fury blazing in her eyes. She'd never imagined Beckett could sink so low.
"Beckett makes a valid point," the matriarch said, a mocking smile playing at her lips. "Even if you brew identical tea, it doesn't prove the formula is yours. Stop playing games and embarrassing yourself."
She looked between them. "Do you have any other evidence? If not, we'll post your confession and hand you over to the authorities."
She tossed Michelle's confession to an elder with prominent ears. "Make this public."
"WAIT!"
James suddenly burst into laughter, pointing at them defiantly. "Since you're so shameless, I'll no longer show you any courtesy."
His eyes gleamed with confidence. "Not only can I create level-six tea—I can create level-eight tea!"
He leaned forward, his voice ringing through the hall. "If we possessed an eight-level formula, why would we steal a mere level-six?"
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