Chapter 512 Exceptionally High IQ
"Mr. Smith, where have you been all this time?" Michael put his arm around James' shoulder, pretending to be displeased.
Everyone who knew Michael was stunned. They had never seen Michael be so chummy with James. They couldn't help but wonder James's identity.
However, judging by James' attire and demeanor, he hardly seemed like a prominent figure; rather, he resembled an ordinary person one might encounter on any street. This was rather peculiar.
Michael was genuinely happy. He hadn't seen James in a long time. After the Perry family disappeared, his career had surged, and his social status had risen a notch. However, he had fewer and fewer intimates he could really talk to.
Most individuals approached him for personal gain. True friends like James, who weren't after anything, were extremely rare.
Moreover, James had done him a significant favor.
James was also in a good mood seeing Michael. Meeting an old friend in a strange place was always a pleasant thing.
"Nowhere special, just went back to the City of Mysteries for a bit," James said with a smile.
Michael noticed that James used the word "back." Curious, he asked, "James, so you're from the City of Mysteries? That place is full of hidden talents. You wouldn't happen to be from a big family, would you?"
Michael made a small joke. Deep down, he didn't believe James was from a big family. After all, by normal logic, no one from a big family would become a son-in-law in a small place unless they were out of their mind. And clearly, James wasn't a fool.
James smiled but didn't reveal his real identity. It wasn't that he didn't trust Michael; it just wasn't necessary. Besides, telling Michael wouldn't be good for him, either.
"Well, you caught me, Michael. You better be careful when you talk to me, or I might just buy out the Brown Group if I get upset," James joked.
Michael burst into laughter, bantering with James.
After some small talk, Michael put away his playful expression and said seriously, "James, why did you come to Starlight State? Not just anyone knows about this auction."
James half-jokingly said, "I'm here to see the sights and take care of some business."
Michael said meaningfully, "James, I know you're very capable, but today's auction is no small matter. Everyone here is a big shot. You can't just mess around."
He felt a strange coldness from James, which made him a bit uneasy.
James smiled and said, "Michael, don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
Seeing James' expression, Michael was almost certain that James was planning to cause trouble at the auction. He became even more worried and wanted to persuade James further, but it was clear from James' expression that he had already made up his mind. Persuasion would be useless.
Michael was even more curious about who James had a grudge against. After all, everyone attending tonight was a prominent figure. Even he, a wealthy man, was only considered middle-tier here.
Suddenly, a bold idea popped into Michael's mind. He lowered his voice and asked James, "James, I want to ask you something."
James, being who he was, saw through Michael's thoughts with a glance and knew what he wanted to ask. Smiling, he nodded and said, "Yeah, it was me."
Michael was stunned and said, "I haven't even asked you what it is yet."
James smiled, "The Perry family was destroyed by me. Jared was crippled by me. Uriah was killed by me. Asher also died at my hands."
James said this as if he were talking about something as common as eating or sleeping, very nonchalantly.
Michael's pupils suddenly contracted to pinpoints, and his face was filled with shock!
In fact, Michael had occasionally speculated whether the fall of the Perry family could be attributed to James. However, upon careful consideration, he found the notion rather absurd. After all, the Perry family was a prominent family in Lindwood City, capable of rivaling, or even surpassing, his own Brown family.
For such a family to disappear in a law-abiding society, like a stone thrown into the sea without a trace, it had to be the work of a very powerful person!
But now, it turned out to be James, which turned Michael's worldview upside down.
Michael couldn't help but swallow a big gulp of saliva, feeling a bit numb.
The key was that James was so nonchalant, without a hint of arrogance or emotion. It wasn't an act; it was as if he had done something insignificant.
Was this still the gentle and shy James he knew?
For a moment, he even wondered if James had been possessed by some monster, like in those online novels.
James kept smiling, eating heartily. He had rushed over and hadn't eaten, so he was a bit hungry.
It took Michael a several seconds to react. After all, the news was too shocking for him. During this time, he had been pondering who could have done it so quietly.
The Brown family had risen so quickly mainly because the Perry family was no longer a competitor, allowing them to dominate.
Soon, Michael picked up onsomething else. If James could easily destroy the Perry family, he could do the same to the Brown family.
James saw through his thoughts again and said helplessly, "Michael, don't overthink it. We're old friends. That won't happen."
With this, Michael first breathed a sigh of relief, then was shocked again. He hadn't even spoken, yet James saw through him again. Could James read minds?
This was too terrifying!
It must be noted that Michael was not one to readily reveal his emotions; most people could scarcely fathom his thoughts. Yet now, he had been seen through by James twice.
That was too terrific.
After a brief pause, he dismissed these chaotic thoughts and sincerely thanked James, "James, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. It was only after the downfall of the Perry family that the Brown family could prosper to such an extent. I shall remember this favor!"
James said helplessly, "Michael, let's not be so formal. I don't like it."
Michael wasn't a pretentious person. He was straightforward and, since James had said so, he didn't say more, silently keeping the favor in mind.
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