Chapter 468 James Returns, Shaking the City of Mysteries Industry
In response to Alistair's fury, James merely lifted his gaze slightly, showing little reaction, before lowering his head once more.
Alistair looked at James's calm demeanor and felt an indescribable sense of irony. Five years ago, despite James's objections, he insisted on sending James to New York City to become the son-in-law of an ordinary family, living humbly for five years to temper his character.
Now, James's character had indeed been tempered. The previous restlessness, hostility, and arrogance were all gone. At the same time, James's ambition and even his sense of belonging to the family had also been worn away.
'It's truly ironic. Is it worth it?' For the first time, Alistair had such a doubt.
Was the current James the heir he once aspired to be?
Undeniably, the present James was much more mature and stronger than before. However, this James had his own ideas and a much-reduced sense of belonging to the family.
Alistair closed his eyes, with his breathing unsteady.
James remains unperturbed, not just outwardly but inwardly as well. For this scenario has played out in his mind countless times ever since he resolved never to abandon Jennifer.
Every reaction of Alistair, every word he said, had appeared in his mind.
James was never an indecisive individual. His willpower far exceeded that of the average person. Once he made a decision, no one could change it.
Since he decided to marry Jennifer, he had been prepared to give up everything.
Besides, the position of the family head was just a formality.
With his abilities, even if he wasn't the head, he could still lead the Smith family to greatness.
James was much stronger now than he was five years ago.
The room fell into absolute silence.
A minute passed, five minutes, ten minutes, half an hour, and neither of them spoke.
Finally, it was Alistair who broke the silence. "James, I've never asked you for anything in my life. Just for me, follow my arrangement, marry the second daughter of the Savoy family, and inherit my position, okay?"
Alistair conceded in the end.
At this moment, even the otherwise stoic James couldn't help but be moved.
James's lips moved slightly, and then he softly said, "Alistair, I promised Jennifer that I would never leave her."
"You!" Alistair's face changed yet again, and he was about to burst into a tirade. But then he saw James's unyielding expression, and his fury dissipated entirely, leaving only exhaustion—an endless, overwhelming fatigue that consumed him. He waved his hands impatiently, "Go, leave."
James sighed inwardly. He had anticipated Alistair's reaction but still felt guilty. He nodded, said nothing more, and left silently.
After he left, Alistair let out a faint, bitter smile. He took out a black-and-white photograph from the drawer, a picture of his younger self with a woman. Judging by the date, it was taken fifty or sixty years ago.
"Patricia, did I really make the wrong decision back then? Now James ignores my authority. Patricia, are you doing well in heaven? Wait for me a little longer. Once I hand over the position of family head to James, I'll be joining you. Wait for me, wait for me." Alistair murmured.
After James came out, Saxon approached him and said, "Did you make Alistair angry?"
"Yeah." James did not hold back and recounted the events to him. Saxon's expression changed vividly as he listened, and finally, he let out a long sigh and said, "You."
After saying that, Saxon found himself at a loss for words.
Next, James chatted with Erin for a while. It was late at night when Erin got tired, and he returned to his room to rest.
James took out his phone and saw a message from Jennifer: [Are you asleep? Are you getting used to being at home?]
The message was sent an hour ago when he was fighting with Wylie.
James replied: [Not asleep yet, what about you? It's been a long time since I came back, not as used to it as in New York City.]
Soon, Jennifer replied: [I'm not asleep, either, just took a bath, looking at our wedding photos.]
They continued to text each other. Jennifer didn't ask when James would return or how the conversation with his family went. Instead, she mostly told James not to worry about her and to spend more time with his family.
With Jennifer's thoughtfulness, James felt warm inside. This hard-won love was very comforting.
They chatted until two in the early morning when Jennifer got tired and stopped.
James didn't immediately return to New York City. He stayed in the City of Mysteries for three days.
During these three days, he didn't leave the estate, mainly spending time with his family.
His reclusive nature once again shattered many people's perceptions; it was well known that in the past, James couldn't stay indoors for even a moment.
However, the news of his return spread quickly, causing quite a stir in the industry.
"Hey, have you heard? James is back!"
"Who's James? The name sounds somewhat familiar."
"Seriously? Have you forgotten James? Five years ago, he was the terror of the City of Mysteries, the undisputed number one of the younger generation. Countless arrogant scions in the industry were beaten by him! Guys like Remy, Quentin Bailey, and Oscar Butler all got thrashed by him!"
"What? Even Remy got beaten? Is this James really that formidable?"
"Yeah! Remy was even reduced to tears by James back then!"
At this time, similar conversations were happening in various corners of the City of Mysteries.
The name James was really famous in the City of Mysteries industry. Even though he had disappeared for five and a half years, many individuals still remembered him.
James's mysterious disappearance back then was an unsolved mystery for many. No one knew how such a dazzling star, arrogant and invincible in the City of Mysteries, could disappear mysteriously. After so many years, there was no news at all. Most people thought he was dead. Now, with the news of his return, they were all extremely shocked.
"Could it be a false rumor? Wasn't James already confirmed dead? They even found his body, as I heard."
"That was fabricated. James is truly back now; just a few days ago, the entire industry started buzzing about it, and the news came from the Smith family."
"Are you sure it's not a hoax? Think about it, James originally belonged to the Smith family. If he wasn't dead, how could he have disappeared so suddenly? Now he reappears without any warning. It might just be false information from the Smith family."
"Well, it's hard to say. What is certain is that if James is indeed back, there will be some exciting times ahead. The City of Mysteries is no longer the same as before. The Ward family and the Stewart family have been contending for the top spot. With James, the former number one, returning, there will surely be a fierce clash!" Many individuals chattered.
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