Chapter 612 Grandfather and Grandson Have a Heart-to-Heart Talk
"What? The Smith estate?"
Rodolfo's bragging came to a screeching halt. He glanced out the window and, sure enough, the car had pulled up to a sprawling, ultra-luxurious mansion that covered half a mountainside.
This wasn't just any property—it was prime real estate in the City of Mysteries, the kind of place money alone couldn't buy.
This was the Smith family's estate, one of the most powerful families in the city. Messing with them? Not a chance.
Harmony was also astonished to see such a large estate. Even her family's place couldn't hold a candle to this.
And this wasn't some podunk town like Lindwood City—this was the City of Mysteries, where real estate like this screamed power and wealth.
She glanced at James, who was as calm as ever, not even trying to flex. To him, this was just home, the place where he'd grown up.
Rodolfo could no longer maintain his composure. He widened his eyes and said to James, "Is this your home?"
James nodded, "Yes."
Rodolfo then remembered that the other man's name was James, and his last name was Smith.
It hit Rodolfo then—James's last name was Smith. But if he was really from the Smith family, why was he dressed like a regular guy and didn't even have a car? This didn't make sense.
After James and Harmony got out of the car, Rodolfo immediately took out his phone to search. Soon, after finding James's information, his body shook violently, and his face turned pale, "Oh my God!"
The driver was startled and quickly asked, "Mr. McCoy, what's wrong?"
Rodolfo gave a bitter smile, "I really messed up this time. That guy? He's not some nobody—he's James Smith, the one everyone's scared of! Oh God, what was I thinking, running my mouth like that? He's not gonna come after me, is he?"
Rodolfo was genuinely panicked.
He'd heard the stories about James—how he was a total nightmare to cross. And lately, there were even whispers that James had taken down Neil. This guy was the real deal, and here Rodolfo had been strutting around like he owned the place. If James got angry and came after him...
The thought alone sent chills down his spine. He was terrified, like, full-on panic mode.
And he'd actually tried to hit on Harmony! The way she looked at James? It was obvious she was into him. Rodolfo's stomach dropped. He was so screwed!
Right then and there, Rodolfo felt like his life was over. He couldn't stop shaking, his future looking darker than a moonless night.
As Harmony trailed James into the Smith estate, her jaw practically hit the floor. She'd known his family had money, but she didn't expect something like this!
Her family, the Browns, were the big shots in Lindwood City, but standing here, she felt like a small-town girl walking into a billionaire's mansion. The difference was staggering.
But it wasn't just the wealth that caught her off guard—it was the aura of power surrounding James. This wasn't just about money; this was about influence, control, and a presence that commanded respect.
"James, your family is so rich. Why did you marry into the Johnson family?" Harmony couldn't help but ask.
James said, "It was a task assigned to me by Alistair."
Harmony's mouth moved as if she wanted to say something, but at this moment, Jennifer had already come out. She noticed that Jennifer's temperament had undergone a huge change, becoming even more elegant and noble.
For a moment, Harmony even felt a sense of inferiority!
Jennifer lit up when she saw Harmony walk back in. Sure, she'd been living the high life at the Smith estate—luxury, pampering, the works—but it hadn't exactly been a joyride. The place was drowning in rules, and it was driving her nuts. Thankfully, as James's wife, nobody dared to cross her. They treated her with a mix of respect and fear, or else she'd have lost it by now.
That's why Jennifer had decided to bring Harmony into the fold. Not only would it spice up her otherwise dull days, but there was another big reason: she needed backup with James. The man was insatiable, and Jennifer couldn't keep up. If things kept going like this, she'd be completely drained. Harmony's arrival couldn't have been better timed.
Harmony had no idea that her good friend had set her sights on her. She was also very happy to see Jennifer.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with them, James went to find Alistair.
"You're back?"
"Yes."
"Good. You're taking my place at the Golden Dragon banquet tomorrow night,” Alistair said, his tone as calm as ever.
Hearing this, James raised an eyebrow. The Golden Dragon banquet was a big deal—a high-profile business event where only the heads of the most powerful families got an invite. In the past, James had tagged along as Alistair's plus-one, playing the role of the heir. But this time, Alistair was handing him the reins. It was a clear message: James was stepping up as the head of the family.
Seeing James's silence, Alistair asked, "Are you afraid?"
James said, "Not at all, just a bit surprised."
Alistair rarely showed a hint of weariness and sentiment, "I'm very old now; I should rest."
James moved his mouth but said nothing. Given Alistair's physical condition, he could live for at least another ten years, but his heart was indeed old. He had been the family head for half a century.
There was a moment of silence between the grandfather and grandson, broken by Alistair, "I heard you defeated Neil?"
James was not surprised. The news had already spread throughout the City of Mysteries by the time he returned. It was expected. But he didn't care. From beginning to end, James had never considered Neil a threat. It was the master behind Neil that intrigued him.
"Yes," James nodded.
Hearing James's confirmation, Alistair rarely showed satisfaction and pride, saying to James, "James, you are truly my proudest grandson."
James looked at Alistair and said, "Alistair, you can retire without worry. I will do my best as the family head."
"I'm not worried about that," Alistair thought for a moment and said, "Usher and Wylie are your brothers. If they don't do anything too outrageous, be generous with them."
James naturally understood what Alistair meant.
"I will." He nodded in agreement.
James stuck around, chatting with Alistair late into the night, until the old man finally called it quits, worn out. It was the first time since coming back from Lindwood City that James had such a long, meaningful conversation with his grandfather. All the tension and distance between them seemed to dissolve in those hours.
The next evening, James attended the Golden Dragon banquet on behalf of Alistair. Word spread like wildfire through the Smith family, and suddenly, everyone was looking at Jennifer in a whole new light—treating her with a level of respect she hadn't seen before. Even Wylie's parents were suddenly bending over backward to be polite.
It was clear: James was stepping into the role of family head, and there was no turning back.
But James never expected that such an unexpected event would happen next!
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