James pulled Thea back. "This doesn't concern you," he said.

"I hit her. She can come at me. I won't let this affect the Callahans."

"Come at you? Alright," Belinda retorted, her temper flaring. She pulled out her phone and called The Gourmand's manager.

"Mr. Thomas? Belinda Frasier, Gold member. Someone hit me outside your restaurant. I need security guards. Now."

She glared at James as she hung up. "You're dead meat. I won't let you off, even if you begged. I'm breaking your legs!"

Gladys rushed forward. "I'm so sorry, Miss Frasier. This is my son-in-law's fault! I apologize! Please forgive us!" She was terrified of losing the family's shares.

Belinda sneered, jabbing Gladys's nose. "You're not even worth a fart! I want Thea to lick my shoes." She changed her mind, pointing at Thea.

A middle-aged man and several guards emerged from the restaurant. The crowd knew the Callahans were finished.

David, seeing the guards' electric batons, pulled Alyssa into the crowd.

Belinda's expression turned smug. She sneered at Thea, spat on the ground, and pointed. "Get on your knees and lick it clean, Thea, or I'll break your husband's hands."

Gladys knelt, begging for forgiveness.

James ignored her, disdaining her cowardice.

Thea, afraid, clung to James's arm. "It's alright," he reassured her.

Belinda, angered by James's nonchalance, kicked Gladys aside and pointed at James. "That's him, Mr. Thomas! I want him dead!"

Thea helped Gladys up.

"Don't touch me!" Gladys slapped Thea and searched for Benjamin, who stood silently in the distance. She wept, lamenting her marriage.

The Gourmand's manager, noticing James's connection to the Callahans, ordered, "Get him!"

"Who dares?" a voice boomed from inside the restaurant. Heavy boots thudded.

The crowd turned to see a middle-aged man in full military uniform, followed by four armed men. Five stars shone on his shoulder.

Niel Thomas, The Gourmand's manager, paled. He and the security guards knelt. This was the Blithe King of the West, the newly appointed commander-in-chief of the unified five armies, and Cansington's new base of operations.