James exploded. "I'm so pissed!" he shouted, kicking a chair in Common Clinic. Henry, watching him smoke a cigarette, had never seen him like this. In the past, James' anger fueled battlefield massacres. Now, a kicked chair was his only outlet.

"Is this what it's like to be a man in love?" he mused. "Has the Black Dragon's ferocity been tamed?"

Henry offered a cigarette. James accepted, retrieved the chair, and sat. "Henry," he said, "how can there be so many shameless people? I solved the problem. What did the Colemans have to do with it?"

Henry, having heard the story, was furious. "Whose fault is it? Yours. If you'd revealed your identity, the Callahans would be groveling. Compared to Brody, with his uncle as the general's secretary, who'd believe a live-in son-in-law?"

"I know, but…this burning anger! I've never felt so helpless."

"Let's find the general's secretary's name through the Colerans. Call the Blithe King, give him my orders… No, wait." James paused. He couldn't let them off so easily. "Send someone to the Callahans' villa; bring them safely to the House of Royals. I'll wait until the birthday party. Hehe…" A wicked smile spread across his face.

"You've changed, James," Henry observed. "Before, you'd act instantly. Now, a little unhappiness leads to elaborate schemes."

James rolled his eyes. "Countless times I've told you, we're in Cansington, the city of peace. We can't use South Plain methods."

Henry echoed his eye roll. "Right. And who went on a killing spree recently? Ella Corporation, then the Prosperous Dynasty…" James glared, silencing Henry.

James took a drag, smiling sheepishly. "I lost control because it involved Thea. It won't happen again."

He stayed at Common Clinic, having nothing else to do. The Callahans' celebration was far from over. News of Lex Callahan's birthday party spread like wildfire through Cansington.

"What? The House of Royals?"

"Does Lex really have that kind of clout?"

"I heard the House of Royals belongs to a bigwig, the Blithe King, supposedly?"

Cansington buzzed with gossip. The Callahans redesigned their invitations, sending them to every important person in the city. Soon, it was the night before Lex's 80th birthday.

At the Callahans' villa, Lex smoked his pipe, looking at Brody. "Brody, tomorrow's my eightieth birthday. Can you get your uncle to attend? I've invited many business bigwigs, but I lack military and political connections. I need someone influential."

"Grandpa, I'll try, but I can't guarantee anything."

"Alright. Thank you."

Brody called his uncle. "Uncle, it's Brody. My wife's grandfather's eightieth birthday is tomorrow at the House of Royals—the one built by the Five Provinces Business Alliance. Grandpa wants you to come for a drink. You're free? The general's coming too? Great!"

Brody beamed. "Grandpa, my uncle's coming with the general! He's one of the most influential in North Cansinigton's military, a one-star general, on par with the Blithe King."

Lex laughed. With the general attending, the party would be legendary. His name would finally be known throughout Cansington and the five provinces. It was the Callahans' first, and a huge, step toward prominence.

The next day was sensational. A second-class family's head was holding his birthday party at the infamous House of Royals.

The final sentences, "Search the FindNovel.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality," were removed as they are promotional material, not part of the narrative.