"Hm?"

"Buy the newly built Trade City Center in Cansington."

"What???"

Henry stared at James in shock. The Trade City Center was a massive new commercial development, comprising over fifty fifty-story buildings, a night market, a pedestrian zone, and an antique street. It was a completed project, a joint venture by several real estate tycoons aiming to create the country's grandest commercial city.

"What? Don't we have enough money? Then use our connections." Henry stared at James.

"Just what are you planning, boss?" he asked.

"We have around two hundred billion combined, but do you know how enormous this city is? The land alone is worth a fortune! I heard the tycoons invested around five hundred billion, taking five years to complete construction," James said dismissively.

"Just tell me the cost." Henry pondered.

"They invested five hundred billion. Even without profit, we'd need at least six hundred billion."

"Buy it. If we're short, get the remaining six hundred billion from the wealthy in the Southern Border region as soon as possible. I want the Trade City Center."

"That's a substantial sum. I may need to travel to the Southern Border myself."

"Go." James waved.

Meanwhile, at the Callahans' home:

"Why are you still hesitating, Thea? Divorce James already!"

"That's right, sis. Even being Alex Yates' mistress is better than being with that retired soldier!" Thea's family urged her.

"I'm tired. I'm going to bed," Thea said, retreating to her room. She sat on the bed, lost in thought. She'd grown accustomed to James' presence, and his absence felt like a significant loss. She knew he'd only wanted to make her happy, but his actions had backfired, humiliating her in front of her family. She picked up her phone, intending to call James and ask him to come home. She paused, then huffed.

"Why should I? He made the mistake; he should be begging for forgiveness. Why should I call him?"

She tossed her phone onto the bed in annoyance, yet kept glancing at it, hoping for his call. A minute passed, then ten, thirty, an hour, three hours. Thea waited until one in the morning, but James neither called nor texted. Furious, she paced the room, cursing his heartlessness.

After James instructed Henry to buy the Trade City Center, Henry traveled overnight to the Southern Plains, a border region with numerous small, wealthy powers. These powers were rich in precious ores and minerals, making it relatively easy to raise several hundred billion.

James' return was motivated by both gratitude and vengeance. He'd neglected his feud with the Great Four while supporting Thea. Beyond killing Warren and Trent Xavier, he hadn't progressed further. While Thea cooled off, he planned to find Rowena Xavier and learn the location of "Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside's Edge." At dawn, he approached the Xaviers' abandoned villa, a black figure in a black overcoat and ghost mask, disappearing into the shadows.

(Note: I removed the repeated promotional message.)