The Callahans didn't bother to look for Thea, even though she had been gone for ten days. She was the family's black sheep and the laughingstock of Cansington. They believed their business would boom without her.

After recovering, Thea retrieved her marriage certificate with James, and they returned home together.

Lex Callahan had three sons: Howard, John, and Benjamin (in birth order). Benjamin, despite his hard work expanding the family business significantly, was shunned because of Thea. He held no rank, status, or authority at home, lacked company shares, and received only a fixed, bonus-less salary, struggling to make ends meet. He owned a house, but still faced monthly mortgage payments.

"This is my home, Jamie," Thea said, gesturing to the door. "It's nothing compared to your palace, though."

James smiled, taking her hand. "Home is wherever you are."

Thea smiled and gently knocked on the door. Gladys opened it, slightly shocked to see a beautiful woman and an unfamiliar man.

"Can I help you?" Gladys asked.

"Mom," Thea replied.

Gladys was stunned. "Mom? I'm Thea, your daughter."

"What?" Gladys exclaimed, confused. "Y-You're Thea?"

"It's me, Mom. My scars are gone now," Thea said.

"Hi, Mom," James added.

Gladys was overwhelmed. Holding James's arm, Thea explained, "Mom, Grandfather chose him as my husband."

Gladys, pulling Thea close, coldly told James, "I've never acknowledged you as my son-in-law." She touched Thea's face. "Thea, is it really you? Your face, the scars, your body… What happened?"

"Mom, I've been undergoing treatment for ten days. I've recovered and will no longer be a humiliation to the family," Thea choked out. The incident had caused the Callahans immense embarrassment in Cansington; her parents could barely face the public.

"My girl…" Gladys cried, hugging Thea. "My girl… It's my fault. I never should have left you alone. You've been through so much… Come, let's go inside."

After Thea's recovery, Gladys had other plans. She believed Thea's beauty could attract a wealthy husband, not a man she considered lazy and after the family's wealth.

Pointing to the door, Gladys ordered, "Get out."

"Mom, what are you doing? He's my husband, chosen by Grandfather!" Thea protested.

"Let's go to the family villa. I'll have Grandfather call off the wedding," Gladys said, dragging Thea away.

"Jamie…" Thea looked at James helplessly.

James, seemingly unconcerned, followed them.

The Callahans, gathered in the villa's foyer, stared in disbelief at the beautiful woman beside Gladys. How could this be the disfigured Thea, unchanged for ten years?

"Thea, is that you?" someone asked.

"Thea? Did you have plastic surgery in Korea? Is their technology that advanced?" others exclaimed.

They were gobsmacked by her transformation.

Gladys stated her position: "Dad, I disagree with this marriage. With Thea's looks, she could marry someone rich. How could she marry this spineless worm?"

Lex, smoking his pipe, struggled to comprehend Thea's recovery. He conceded, "You're right. There are eligible bachelors among Cansington's most prestigious families. I could find a suitable husband for Thea."

"No," Thea said tearfully. "Grandfather, you married me to James. Now that he's helped me recover, you're breaking your word. What am I to you?"

"You ungrateful brat…" Gladys slapped Thea, yelling, "What do you see in this penniless man?"

Thea grabbed a knife, pressing it to her cheek. "I'll cut my face if you push me too far."

"How dare you…" Gladys trembled.

"Enough!" Lex roared. "What is going on, Thea? This is for your own good. You could marry well. Why are you with this poor fellow?"

James, speaking calmly, said, "I don't care about your family, but this is between Thea and me. We have our marriage certificate. If she wants a divorce, I'll go with it. Otherwise, no one will force her."

"Who gave you permission to speak?" Tommy, the eldest grandson, demanded, pointing at James. "You're trash. You have no right to speak here."

James bent Tommy's finger back. "No one has ever pointed a finger at me before."

Tommy yelled in pain. He grabbed an ashtray to hit James, but Lex stopped him.

Lex offered James five hundred thousand dollars for a divorce.

"No!" Thea cried.

"How dare you!" Lex slammed his hand on the table. "I'm still the head of this family!"

James didn't want to fracture Thea's relationship with her family. His return was to repay Thea and avenge his family, not at the cost of her family relationships.

"Grandfather, give me a chance. Let me prove I'm capable."

"A chance?" Tommy sneered. "James Caden, you're an orphan, a former soldier. Thea's out of your league. Get a deal with Celestial Group, and we'll acknowledge you. Otherwise, you're gone."

Tommy hoped this would make James give up; he favored Joel Xavier, from one of the Great Four families, for Thea.

Lex agreed to the Celestial Group challenge, giving James ten days to secure a thirty-million-dollar order.

"I don't need ten days. I'll get it done tomorrow," James declared.

Tommy was unimpressed, believing it impossible. Gladys pleaded with Lex to reconsider.

Lex believed the Celestial deal was improbable, giving them time to arrange a marriage alliance with one of the Great Four, thus elevating their status in Cansington.