Thea had put the Callahans in extreme danger before. Howard slammed his hand on the table, growling, “Benjamin, this is unacceptable! How dare you be late? Do you think you're above us now that you have the family shares? Do you think we deserve to wait for you?”

Benjamin hung his head. "I'm sorry, Howard."

Thea intervened. "Howard, I caused the delay. It's not Dad's fault."

Howard's fury intensified. "Thea, don't you understand our rules? Family meetings are paramount. Your relationship with the Celestial Group CEO doesn't excuse ignoring them."

"Because of you, we almost died at Trent Xavier's hands," someone shouted.

"Thank God I wasn't home that day, or I'd be canceled in Cansington," another chimed in.

"You jinx! You dare ask for a 10% share after all that?" The Callahans erupted in a chorus of accusations against Thea's family.

Lex finally silenced them. "Enough."

James Caden remained silent, his position as son-in-law requiring discretion to avoid further trouble for Thea. With everyone present, Lex began the meeting.

"Tomorrow is likely the Blithe king's succession ceremony. Only 100 seats are available. Think, and suggest how we secure some."

Silence. The impossibility was clear. Many affluent families across the five regions would compete, and the Callahans were considered lower class.

Lex glared, his voice rising. "Are we all mutes? I thought you were a talkative bunch! Look at yourselves! You fight fiercely over my legacy, but go silent when your own family needs help!"

Tommy Callahan, a third-generation member, suggested, "Grandpa, let Thea do it. She's Alex's lover; she can get us a seat using his influence."

Thea, always obedient, was enraged. Tears welled in her eyes as she pointed at Tommy. "Tommy, don't speak of me like that!"

Tommy scoffed. "Am I lying? You've slept with Alex, haven't you? He's only been good to you because of it. He even canceled a business deal with us because of you."

Thea, speechless with disbelief, gasped. Benjamin remained silent. Gladys hesitated, unsure if the rumor was true.

James stepped toward Tommy, surprising him. "What are you doing? James, watch yourself! This is the Callahan mansion!"

Tommy's confidence, bolstered by being on Callahan property, faltered only slightly at the sight of James's imposing figure and military background. "I'm not wrong! Alex was only kind to her because they had sex!"

Smack! James slapped him hard.

Tommy cried out, clutching his face. He turned to Lex. "Grandpa, look! He hit me at a family meeting! Make him leave!" Lex glared at James.

Thea tugged at James's hand, whispering, "James, apologize." She was happy with his support but knew his actions violated family rules.

Tommy's mother, Jolie Loretta, shrieked, "You violent scumbag! He's acting cocky because of his shares! Make him leave and revoke Benjamin's shares!"

The Callahans echoed her demand, their fury escalating. "Such arrogance! Do you think our family rules are a joke? You're disrespecting the head of the family!"

The final sentence, a marketing plug for a novel website, was removed as it was irrelevant to the text cleanup.