Linus's gaze burned into Thea. He seemed ready to devour her.

Since becoming manager, he'd slept with countless women, leveraging his position to offer them benefits. Initially, most rejected him. However, they eventually began offering themselves for access to deals, partnerships, and other advantages.

Jane, equally ambitious, was eager for Linus's plan to succeed. His happiness was crucial to her own advancement.

She pulled Thea aside. "Thea, you've suffered, but now you're beautiful. Use your looks. We won't be young forever. This won't last."

"I'm married. I won't," Thea refused.

Jane exploded. "Who do you think you are? It's an honor Linus likes you! Offend him, and you're finished with Celestial Group—forever."

Thea sought out James. He ignored Linus and Jane, gesturing towards the entrance. "Go. You're meeting the chairman, not some manager."

"Who are you, boy?" Linus sneered. "F*ck off."

James's two-word retort spoke volumes. He was still the legendary Dragon General of the Southern Plains; Linus was insignificant.

Meanwhile, in the chairman's office atop the Celestial Group building, Alex Yates waited anxiously for Thea. She hadn't arrived. Frantic, he went downstairs, asking reception about Thea Callahan. They hadn't seen her.

"Oh sh*t," he thought. Thea was the Dragon General's wife. If he'd missed her, even the Yates name couldn't save him.

He went outside, intending to wait. He saw his manager speaking with two people—one of whom was James. Alex shuddered, nearly collapsing. Wiping sweat from his face, he approached them.

"Gen…"

James's glare silenced him. James then said, "Thea, that's the chairman. Go. My fate depends on you."

Thea saw the balding man—Alex Yates.

Jane scoffed, "Hilarious. The chairman's in his office."

Linus's face twisted. "Thea, let's be clear. No hotel, no Celestial deal—ever."

He had to have Thea. He controlled all of Celestial's connections, including the distribution of extra orders. He could effectively block the Callahans.

Alex approached, his expression wooden. "What are you doing? Don't you have work?"

Linus and Jane's smugness vanished.

"S-sir," Linus stammered, sweating. Exposure meant his job. He prayed Alex hadn't heard his earlier threats.

Alex spread his arms. "What's going on?"

James gently nudged Thea.

Thea recovered. "H-hi, Mr. Yates. I'm Thea Callahan, Eternality Group. We're here to discuss collaboration and orders."

Overwhelmed by Alex's importance, Thea felt her confidence falter.

Cansington, the capital of medicine, housed thousands of processing companies reliant on giants like Celestial. Eternality, being small, wasn't yet qualified to work with Celestial.

"I'm asking again. What are you doing?" Alex's gaze was sharp, fixed on Jane and Linus.

James interjected, "My wife's here on business, but this manager tried to exploit her, abusing his power to dismiss Eternality. Celestial should address this fairly."

"Of course," Alex nodded. "Corruption won't be tolerated. Linus Johnson, get your salary from finance. You're fired."

"Huh?" Linus was stunned.

"S-sir, don't listen! The Callahans are too small. I was just…handling them. It was for the company's benefit!"

"Must I repeat myself? And you, leave," Alex dismissed Jane.

Turning to James and Thea, he smiled. "Miss Callahan, to my office, please. Let's discuss this personally."

Thea was bewildered. Since when was the chairman so polite?

James gently urged her forward. "Go. This is a golden opportunity. My fate's in your hands."

Thea, nervous, managed, "Oh, yes. Of course. No problem at all, Mr. Yates."

Her nerves were frayed. She'd barely left home in ten years. While knowledgeable, this was her first business deal—and with the chairman!

She looked to James, scared. "Honey, I-I don't think I can do it."

"He invited you personally. What's to fear?" James pushed. "Go. I'll wait in the car."

"Miss Callahan, this way, please," Alex bowed slightly.

Jane and Linus watched, aghast. Reporters, always present outside Celestial Group, snapped photos. This would be huge news. Even the Great Four followed Alex's rules. His deference to this woman was unprecedented.

Who was she? What was her background? Why had no one seen her before?

Thea, thanks to Alex's invitation, entered the building. James waited in his car.

He lit a cigarette, offering one to Henry. "General, was that necessary? The Yates would've given you their company."

James exhaled a smoke ring. "Why would I want it? As a gift for Thea? She wouldn't like that. I support her efforts. And stop calling me General. It's James."

"Sorry, James. Habit."

In Alex's office, he made tea for Thea.

She protested, "Mr. Yates, let me do it."

"Please sit, Miss Callahan. Make yourself at home."

Thea was flummoxed. "Mr. Yates, I'm here for business…"

"Yes, yes. Tea first. I'll have someone prepare the contract. A hundred million enough? I can increase it."

"What?" Thea was stunned.

Alex, sensing her unease, offered, "Not enough? Five hundred million?"

"No, no, a hundred million is enough," Thea stammered.

Five hundred million? This was unreal.

The commission alone would be substantial. Even a hundred million was a massive order for the Callahans.

Alex was efficient. His secretary produced a contract. Thea signed, still in shock.

Before she left, Alex gave her his card. "Miss Callahan, let's keep in touch."

He never mentioned James, understanding—as chairman—that James wished to remain anonymous.

Leaving, Thea felt like she'd had a fever dream. It was too easy.

"Honey, I think Alex Yates is trying to curry favor. I barely spoke, and he offered a hundred million—or five hundred!"

James smiled. "You must've met him before."

"Impossible. I've had no friends in ten years," Thea scoffed, then her eyes sparkled. "Honey, he was nice because of you, right?"