James asked, "Thea, will you be going?"

"Of course. Why not?"

Thea looked up. In university, she had been a laughingstock, lacking self-confidence and constantly putting herself down. Now, with her renewed appearance, her confidence had blossomed. James nodded.

"This is an important event, and there's nothing suitable in your wardrobe. Come on, let's go shopping. You don't even have any messones." (Assuming "messones" is a type of clothing or accessory. If not, clarify.)

"Nonsense! Who says there's nothing suitable? I think my clothes will do just fine," Thea pouted. Shopping? She couldn't afford it. James could read her thoughts and smiled.

"Come on, I'll pay. Isn't my card with you? All my savings from the past ten years are there. It's quite a large amount."

"W-we better not," Thea shook her head. She had always been thrifty and never cared much for luxury items.

"Go on," Gladys said. "It's the birthday party of Longevity Pharmaceuticals' chairman, after all. It wouldn't be right to be stingy. We have to get her a gift as well."

"Al-alright then." Thea nodded, knowing she wouldn't win this argument.

"Okay, let's go!"

James reached for Thea's hand. Thea instinctively avoided him. Realizing she'd overreacted, she reached for his hand and smiled apologetically. James returned her smile. Hand in hand, they left the house.

James took his electric motorcycle. Thea sat behind him, hugging his waist and leaning her head against his back. James didn't want to keep riding the motorcycle; he planned to get a car. He asked, "Thea, what's your favorite car?"

"My favorite car?" Thea was surprised.

"We visited a motor show this morning, and I saw the most beautiful red Ferrari race car. I'll return and purchase it one day."

Thea motivated and encouraged herself. She wasn't into luxury cars, but she had fallen in love with this particular car. It would be amazing to own one.

"If you like it, let's get it."

"Tsk…" Thea hit James lightly on the head. "Stop horsing around. Do you know how much a limited-edition Ferrari costs? I've looked at the price—it's more than twenty million. I could sell you off, and it still wouldn't be enough!"

"Thea."

"Yes?"

"Thea, I'm going to be honest with you, but promise me you won't get angry."

"Okay."

In a small voice, James said, "I was a high-ranking official at the Southern Plains. I abused my position and pocketed some money, so I was demoted to a regular soldier and eventually expelled from the military."

"Ah…" Thea shouted, "You… you…"

"You said you wouldn't get angry." Thea angrily smacked James on the head.

"How could you do something illegal when you could do so many other things?"

"It's not illegal. Do you know what the Southern Plains are like? It's the border of the Eighteen Kingdoms—full of wealthy people, but chaotic. The rich pay fees to the generals for protection. I took some money, but the higher-ups found out, so I was expelled. As such, I have some money. If you want, we can use it to buy a car."

"I-I'm not taking it," Thea rejected the idea immediately. "James, I'm warning you. I don't care what you've done, but if you want to be with me, you can't be involved in any illegal activities."

"Thea, it isn't illegal. It's commonplace at the Southern Plains. It was just bad luck for me. You don't even know how much money the other generals pocketed. All of them chose to retire afterward, buying luxury cars and mansions and living the easy life."

He was trying to ease Thea into accepting his true identity. If she could accept this, it wouldn't be too difficult for her to accept that he was the Black Dragon.

"R-really?" Thea didn't know much about it, but she recognized bribery.

James nodded.

"Of course. Have you heard of our boss, the Black Dragon? He's one of the Five Commanders, on par with the Blithe King. He pocketed a lot of money. He even conquered an enemy state and took over their gold mines. After selling them to other entrepreneurs, he made tens of billions just like that."

Thea shouted, "What? That's so much money!"

The promotional text at the end should be removed as it is unrelated to the story text.