Chapter 519 A Bite
Though James worried about Scarlett attempting to assassinate him, he didn't slow the preparations for his tea shop's grand opening.
The day after returning from Azure Palace Hotel, James had the Garcia family deliver the ingredients to Rosewood City, then went over several details with his mother again.
Once Michelle's brewing of the red tea reached about eighty percent of his own standard, James handed the entire operation room over to her and his father.
James also sent a large bottle of Great Grandma's black tea to Idris, who gave enthusiastic thumbs-up after trying it.
He told James that once this tea hit the market, it would dominate all of Sovereign City.
Idris also offered to help with the opening if needed, saying he'd be happy to lend a hand.
Meanwhile, Hestia came to help at the shop, not only finding reporters for publicity but also recruiting more than a dozen staff members to assist.
James initially refused, but Hestia accused him of being petty and still hung up on Lavinia's scolding from yesterday.
James had no choice but to let her take charge.
"James, come with me to the boxing gym later," Hestia said.
It was approaching four in the afternoon. The shop was fully prepared, just waiting for the grand opening in two days. As they found themselves with free time, Hestia grabbed James's arm.
"You still owe me one favor, remember? Come practice with me at the Ultimate Martial Arts Academy."
Hestia hooked her arm through his and smiled. "After that incident in Sovereign City, I signed up for combat training at the Ultimate Martial Arts Academy. I'm planning to become a warrior."
She playfully begged, "You're good at fighting. Come watch me, won't you?"
"Alright, I'll go with you," James replied.
He had initially wanted to refuse, but hearing about the Ultimate Martial Arts Academy piqued his interest. He wanted to see what Uri's fighting gym was like.
Harbor Group had already been streamlined by Nathaniel, its structure simplified and profitability significantly improved. James planned to check out the situation at the gym.
"Fantastic!" Hearing James agree to accompany her, Hestia jumped with joy before pulling him into her newly purchased Porsche.
Less than twenty minutes later, Hestia brought James to the Ultimate Martial Arts Academy.
The Eighty-Eight Hall.
Uri's Mystic Alliance was formidable, with not only Harbor Group as its cash cow but also ninety-nine martial arts academies across Sovereign City.
These academies served both as training grounds for Mystic Alliance members and as recruitment centers for wealthy young clients, charging $100,000 per month to reform their mental outlook.
While Richard and Larry commanded only about ten thousand members, the Mystic Alliance had twenty thousand registered members throughout Sovereign City.
Hestia was attending one of these accelerated programs—three classes weekly for three months, at a cost of $300,000.
When she brought James into the hall, it was already filled with dozens of people in training attire, sparring with each other.
"Hestia, you're here," a tall, handsome young man rushed over with his entourage before James could survey the environment. Looking at Hestia with adoration, he said, "I've been waiting for you."
James noticed Asher and Genevieve among the crowd.
Hestia wasn't surprised to see the tall young man, but her face darkened. "Allan, why are you waiting for me? We have nothing between us anymore."
She held her head high like a proud swan, ignoring the tall young man.
"Hestia, I know I was wrong. I let you down!" Allan stepped forward with a pitiful expression. "Please give me one last chance. I'll love you properly this time, I promise I won't hurt you again."
With his sunny good looks, clean appearance, and muscular build, his pleading was particularly heart-wrenching for women.
James glanced at him, noticing some resemblance to Beckett. This was clearly Allan.
"Hmph, you think I'd believe a womanizer like you?" Hestia tilted her chin up defiantly. "You've hurt me twice. I won't forgive you again."
"Besides, I already have a boyfriend now." She pulled James close. "I won't abandon James for you."
James was about to speak, but Hestia squeezed his palm, so he could only smile awkwardly at Allan. "Hello."
"Your boyfriend? You're James?" Allan glared at him. "You're the thief who stole my father's black tea recipe and got kicked out of the family?"
"Wow, so you stole Allan's father's secret recipe?" Genevieve exclaimed. "James, being poor is one thing, but having no integrity is disgusting."
Asher added with a fake smile, "That's not all. I saw him dining with a rich older woman at a restaurant recently."
The crowd erupted in murmurs, looking at James with amused expressions.
"Shut up! I won't let you insult my boyfriend," Hestia snapped, feeling empowered with James beside her. "I believe in James."
"He would never steal some tea recipe, and he wouldn't do things like that."
"You're trying to frame him, but it won't work." She continued to hold James's arm. "And I won't give up on James."
"Hestia, we all know each other well. Stop pretending," Genevieve rolled her eyes at her friend.
"You've only ever had eyes for Allan. James is just a tool you're using. You'd never actually make him your boyfriend."
"Even if you agreed, your mother wouldn't allow it."
"Hestia, stop being stubborn. Allan has had a change of heart. Give him another chance."
"If he betrays you again, I'll help you deal with him," Genevieve said, waving her small fist, working to break down Hestia's psychological defenses.
"Hestia, I truly regret everything," Allan knelt on one knee and presented a rose. "Come back to me. Let me make it up to you."
"It's too late for regrets now." Hestia raised her eyebrows triumphantly and knocked the rose from his hand. "You should reflect on yourself."
James could tell that despite Hestia's unyielding front, her tone had softened.
"James, I challenge you to a duel," Allan declared, rising to his feet with clenched fists. "For my father, and for Hestia, I'll fight you."
"If you win, I'll stop pursuing Hestia and give you a hundred thousand dollars."
"If you lose, you'll leave Hestia alone and return the recipe to my father."
His aggressive tone continued, "Do you dare accept?"
"Wow, Allan is so cool!"
"Such resolve, such devotion—it's so touching!"
"Go Allan, we love you!"
Several girls made heart shapes with their fingers, praising Allan's aggressive display.
Seeing this, Hestia's face darkened. She squeezed James's arm and said, "James, ignore him. Let's change and start training."
Allan blocked James's path. "Ten million dollars. Do you dare fight me?"
James replied coolly, "You're not worthy."
As these words fell, the entire hall went silent. Dozens of people stared at James as if he were insane.
Allan was the best fighter among them. Several instructors couldn't even match him. What gave James the confidence to be so dismissive?
Allan stood stunned for a long moment.
Genevieve couldn't help but shout, "James, do you even know what you're saying?"
"Wasn't I clear enough?" James looked at Allan indifferently. "Allan isn't worthy of fighting me."
"Hahaha! I'm not worthy of fighting you?" Allan joined the others in mocking laughter, as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world.
"James, do you realize what you're saying?"
"My father is the Garcia family's legitimate grandson. Your mother is just from a lesser branch."
"I'll control assets worth billions in the future. The most you'll ever achieve is running a couple of tea shops."
"The only reason you're even allowed in here, talking to us, is because of Hestia."
"You have no power, no money, no influence, yet you say I'm not worthy to fight you?"
"That statement should be reversed—it's you, James, who isn't qualified to fight me."
Allan looked at him with contempt. "You should ask Hestia just how vast the gap is between you and me."
Hestia tugged at James's arm. "James, stop arguing with him."
She could afford to act temperamental with Allan, but James didn't have that luxury—one wrong move and Allan could destroy him.
"Your words mean nothing," James coldly mocked Allan. "In my eyes, you truly don't qualify for a fair fight against me."
Allan's eyes darkened. "Say that again?"
His knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists, his entire body seeming to radiate explosive power.
Hestia pulled at James's sleeve. "James, stop talking."
James smiled at Allan. "I could say it a hundred times—you're not worthy of fighting me."
"Die!" Allan exploded with rage and launched a side kick at James without another word.
The kick came with incredible speed and devastating power.
Asher and Genevieve looked shocked.
This kick could easily break a tree trunk as thick as a bowl. If it hit a person, it would cause serious injury, if not death.
Hestia instinctively cried out, "James, be careful!"
Before she finished speaking, James casually delivered a slap.
*Smack!*
The slap sent Allan crashing to the ground.
"You—" Allan cried out in pain, holding his face and staring at James in shock, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Before Allan could struggle to his feet, James stood over him:
*Smack!* "You dare challenge me with skills like yours?"
*Smack!* "I told you you're not worthy of fighting me, and you still don't believe it?"
*Smack!* "Don't you know whether I stole the recipe or not?"
As James berated Allan, he slapped him repeatedly, making Allan roll across the floor, crashing into a weapon rack. Swords, spears, and staffs clattered to the ground in a mess.
Asher, Genevieve, and the others were stunned, never imagining Allan would be so thoroughly dominated. They involuntarily stepped backward.
"Bastard, I'll kill you!" Allan struggled to his feet, grabbing a sword to stab James.
*Crack!*
James moved in a blur, striking first. He grabbed Allan's throat and slammed him against the wall.
"No skill but plenty of talk. Should I choke you to death?" James tightened his grip slightly, making Allan struggle desperately, his face turning red.
Just then, James felt a pain in his arm. Looking down, he saw Hestia biting him.
Tears streamed down the girl's face. "James, let him go..."
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