Lex looked at Brody, who stood up. "Uncle," Brody said, "didn't I call you yesterday about being beaten up by the Xenos?"

York nodded. "Yeah? I think so."

Brody had called yesterday, but York had been busy and dismissed the matter as trivial. "Yeah," he said. "Then Mr. Watson showed up with the perpetrators, apologized, and we used the House of Royals for the birthday party."

"Huh?"

Scarlett looked at Gavin, who was equally confused. "What's going on?" Gavin asked. He'd assumed the president had called for an apology because the general was angry—naturally assuming General Chase. "Was I wrong?"

Scarlett's face darkened. She glared at the House of Royals' decorations, then at Lex. "I'll treat this as a rental, Lex," she said, each word precise. "Thirty billion for one day. I'll collect personally from the Callahans."

Scarlett turned and left, Xara following silently. Lex's legs gave way; he collapsed, the Callahans rushing to his aid.

Outside, James watched the surveillance footage, unable to suppress his laughter. "Scarlett's a natural actress," he said. "Such a waste."

Henry was speechless. A small misunderstanding had created immense drama.

Lex was helped to his feet. "M-Ms. Scarlett," he stammered, "what's the meaning of this?"

Scarlett, turning back to see a sweating Lex, replied indifferently, "The House of Royals is mine. Holding an unauthorized party in my villa? Fine, I'll treat it as a rental. Thirty billion per day."

Lex fainted at the price. The Callahans frantically supported him. "Grandpa! Grandpa!" they cried, shaking him until he regained consciousness. He looked hopefully at Brody. "Brody, say something. Didn't you settle this?"

"Me?" Brody was puzzled, looking to York. "Uncle, didn't you get permission from General Nolan?"

Chase denied it sternly. "What does this have to do with me?"

"Uncle, I invited you to the party, and you agreed to come with the general, right?" Brody asked anxiously.

"Y-you invited me?" York's face darkened. "I received orders from above to appear."

"What?" Brody paled.

Meanwhile, Cansington's bigshots watched, curious. A joyous birthday party had become incredibly embarrassing. Everyone wondered how the Callahans had even gained access to the House of Royals without Scarlett's permission.

Gladys stood up, addressing Xara. "What's going on?"

"Ms. Brooks owns the House of Royals," Xara explained. "They didn't get permission, so Ms. Brooks is demanding compensation—thirty billion dollars. It's not about the money; it's about cleaning up the mess."

Lex looked at Gladys. "Do you know her?"

"She she's my niece," Gladys replied.

Lex grasped at this lifeline. "Gladys, help me! How will the Callahans pay thirty billion?"

Gladys looked at Xara. "What's your relationship with Ms. Brooks?"

"She hired me at Transgenerational Group," Xara said. "I can't help."

The Callahans shouted, "Grandpa, it's bad! There's an army outside! The Blithe King!"

A five-star general entered, approached Scarlett, nodded, then turned to York. "Detain York and send him to military court! He will be punished according to the law!"

York nearly fainted.

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