James pouted helplessly. Thea ignored him, saying, “Get me the dress from my closet. There’s an important banquet tonight.”

James retrieved the dress. “Which one, dearest?” he asked, opening the closet door.

“The white one, with the V-neck.”

“That won’t do. You can’t expose yourself like that. This one looks good.” He grabbed a black, high-necked dress and handed it to Thea. “Oh, right. What’s the banquet for?”

“Rowena Xavier—of the Xaviers—is hosting an auction banquet. Many influential people will be there. I’m going to network.”

James paused, then recovered. “Need a ride?”

“I’ll take a cab.”

“Okay.”

Thea left after changing. James soon followed, giving his family a vague excuse.

At the Xaviers’ villa, only one remained; all other assets had been liquidated. The Xaviers gathered inside. Trent Xavier, Warren Xavier’s fourth son and a middle-aged man in military uniform, presided. A soldier stationed on the western border, Trent had been on a mission when his father died and arrived home too late. However, the murderer left a clue: a remnant of the Cadens, a group that had fallen ten years ago. He rushed to the capital, seeking the person who ordered the Cadens’ extermination and the retrieval of Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge, hoping for answers.

His efforts were fruitless except for one piece of news: Thea Callahan’s disfigurement resulted from burns suffered ten years prior while saving someone from the Cadens’ villa. The man in power ordered an investigation into whom she had saved. Trent returned to Cansington, only to find the Xaviers bankrupt, with Thea Callahan significantly involved.

Rowena Xavier, a beautiful, ageless woman, sat beside him. “Trent, Father’s killer is a mystery, but Thea Callahan bankrupted us. Joel said Alex Yates acted only after receiving a call from her!”

Trent clenched his fists. “No one makes enemies of us and gets away with it, not even Alex Yates,” he growled. “Tonight, the Callahans fall!”

The Xaviers’ banquet auction was held at the Cansington Hotel. Luxury cars lined the road, and celebrities milled about. Rowena had invited them. Although the Xaviers’ bankruptcy made attendance hesitant, Trent Xavier’s return changed minds. His high military rank and significant contributions to the Xaviers’ rise in Cansington had made him a powerful figure.

Two men in black trench coats approached the hotel. Henry paused. “James, those are western soldiers. Trent Xavier’s back! He’s the Blithe King’s confidant, a high-ranking deputy commander.”

James scoffed. “Even if he were here, he’d kneel before me.”

The Five Commanders—the Black Dragon of the Southern Plains, the Centurion of the North, the Blithe King of the West, the Barbarian King of the East, and the Emperor of the Capital—were famous in Sol. The Emperor held the most influence, but the Black Dragon possessed the most raw power, even surpassing the other four combined. He also held the title of Asclepius, god of medicine, with unparalleled skills; he could even revive the dead.

James felt no threat from the other commanders, let alone the Blithe King’s confidant.

“Getting rid of anyone tonight, James?”

“The priority is retrieving Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge. As for deaths… we’ll see.”

“When do we enter?”

“No rush. We’ll go in when the event starts.”

“Understood!”

They waited. The celebrities were apprehensive at the sight of the soldiers. Trent’s return felt like a storm. The celebrities were gathered on the top floor. Thea, in a black dress, mingled, networking.

Suddenly, two workers dropped a painting they were carrying, shattering its crystal case. A shard sliced the painting, landing near Thea.

“What the hell was that?”

A worker glared at Thea. “Why’d you bump into me?!”

“I didn’t!” Thea said, confused.

“I dropped it because you bumped into me! Do you know what this is? Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge! Over two thousand years old! Valued at $1.8 billion!”

The other worker agreed. “It’s your fault, Thea Callahan!”

A crowd gathered.

A middle-aged man in military uniform barked, “What’s the yelling? Act appropriately!”

“Boss, we were transporting Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge when Thea Callahan knocked it over. It’s ruined.”

Trent knelt, examining the damage. “Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge… ruined. $1.8 billion!”

“It wasn’t me!” Thea protested, terrified by the cost.

Trent stood, looking indifferent. “I won’t falsely accuse. This place has surveillance. Let’s review the footage.”

The footage showed the workers dropping the painting after Thea bumped into one.

Trent looked coldly at Thea. “$1.8 billion, Thea Callahan.” He turned to his men. “Take her away. Demand payment from the Callahans. If they can’t pay, bring them here.”

Thea wept, protesting her innocence. The crowd watched, feeling pity but not speaking up.

“What a pity. They were just starting to rise.”

“Yeah. $1.8 billion! They’ll be bankrupt. Could they even get that much?”

“Thea was unlucky. That was careless of her.”

Thea’s face drained of color as soldiers approached, guns drawn.

“Take her to the back room!” Trent commanded.

Thea struggled as the soldiers dragged her away. The crowd watched, shocked, some secretly entertained. The incident didn’t disrupt the event. Rowena Xavier announced the auction’s start.

(Remove the FindNovel.net advertisement.)