She earned the respect of many powerful figures simply by saving one person. But who was this person?

Since he'd already been shot, why were people still showing Thea so much respect?

After several prominent figures helped Thea, no one dared to bother her. This puzzled everyone, leading to much speculation. Could it be that these powerful figures owed the ghost-masked man a favor? Now that the favor was repaid, would they stop intervening in Thea's problems? "Yeah, that's definitely the case," many whispered, secretly speculating. Reaching a conclusion, they stopped trying to curry favor with Thea and instead focused on influential figures.

Thea sat on a corner sofa, dazed. James sat beside her, his expression gloomy. "Thea, be honest with me. What's going on?" he asked.

"Huh?" Thea snapped to attention, turning to James's angry face. "I'm sorry, honey. I'm confused too," she apologized.

"What?" James glanced at her sharply.

"Remember my scars? I got them ten years ago, saving someone in a fire. That person returned" Thea scanned their surroundings before whispering, "He's the ghost-masked man who killed the heads of the Great Four and Trent. But the Blithe king shot him."

"What?!"

"I-I don't know him," James feigned surprise. "He never revealed himself. He must have contacted influential people in Cansington who owed him favors before he died, to help me if I was in trouble," Thea explained, glancing at James with tears in her eyes. "Darling, you have to trust me. I never betrayed you. I swear"

"I-I believe you," James said, covering her mouth.

Thea frowned. "You smell of smoke."

"Oh! Sorry," James quickly withdrew his hand, embarrassed.

"You should quit smoking, darling," Thea pleaded, hating the smell of smoke that constantly clung to him. She'd wanted to tell him for a long time.

"Okay," James nodded firmly. "I promise. Just one more, then I'll quit."

Thea smiled. "Alright! You're granted permission!" Her teary eyes, sparkling with a smile, mesmerized James. "You're going to do great things! With your relationship with Yuna, use this opportunity to network and build your future career," he encouraged.

Thea rose and approached Yuna, who was with several business magnates.

"Yuna."

Yuna stood and pulled Thea to sit beside her, resuming their conversation. "The trade center is officially open for investments. I plan to move my company headquarters there and open a Longevity Pharmaceuticals branch. Do you know who bought it?"

Yuna frowned. "I heard it's someone called Scarlett Brooks. I don't know her background."

"Scarlett? A woman?"

"Yes."

Thea listened, confused. "What do you mean, 'buy the trade center'?" she asked.

"The commercial city?" Yuna replied. Thea nodded. "Someone bought the trade center yesterday. Trillions of dollars," Yuna explained.

"What?!" Thea was shocked.