David remained silent after being yelled at, his hatred for James simmering beneath the surface.

"Mom wasn't always like this," he thought. "She used to lower her head and beg the Callahans for money. Now, she doesn't even flinch when they send it directly to her."

"It's all because of James," he concluded.

Howard's family visit had completely ruined the family dinner. Afterward, the family watched a replay of the Blithe King's succession ceremony while James cleaned the dishes.

David approached Thea and whispered, "Thea, you have to persuade Mom. It's all about money. Do you know what twenty percent of the family shares means? Grandpa's also giving you back the position of executive chairman. Do you understand the power and money that entails? Don't you know how much money Uncle took secretly these past few years? Tommy doesn't even work, and he drives a car worth over a million dollars!"

David was intensely jealous of Tommy. They were all Callahans, yet the disparity between them was vast. This was their chance to rise, but his mother seemed strangely resistant to the offered money.

Thea didn't want the family to remain so estranged. She knew her grandfather well: proud, and determined to make the Callahans a rich and powerful family. For years, every Callahan had worked towards Lex's goal.

"I'll talk to her," Thea said.

"You must convince Mom!" David insisted.

"I'll try my best," Thea replied.

She sat beside Gladys. "Mom!"

Gladys, engrossed in the television, turned. "Yeah? What is it?"

"Mom, haven't you always wanted to hold your head high in front of your maiden family? This is our chance! Grandpa wants us to return to the family and is offering us a significant share of the company. I'll also regain my position as executive chairman. You can finally face your family with pride if I'm the executive chairman, right?"

Gladys sighed. "Thea, don't you know what your grandfather is like? He's being generous now because he needs you. Once you're no longer useful, he'll discard you. He'll take back those shares sooner or later."

"It's a matter of the future; we can deal with that when the time comes," Thea argued.

"Mom, I'm sorry I've been an embarrassment to you. Because of me, you couldn't hold your head high in front of the Callahans and others," Thea's voice choked.

"You shouldn't blame yourself," Gladys said. "Without you, your grandfather wouldn't even look at your father. Your father is useless; he never fought for anything. That's why his status in the family is so low. Other family members work at Eternality, buying cars and houses, while your dad had to take out a mortgage for our house." Disappointment was etched on her face. Benjamin had excelled in school; she never expected him to be so timid and honest, a manager who refused to participate in embezzlement.

"Mom, let's go back."

James, having finished the dishes, overheard the conversation. "You don't need to be so anxious, Thea. The Callahans are practically begging you. Given how Mom and Dad have been disrespected for years, this is your chance to reclaim what's rightfully yours."

"Shut up, you trash!" David snarled. "I warn you, James, stay out of our family affairs!"

David's initial goodwill towards James, stemming from James's help in getting him a car, had completely vanished, replaced by pure hatred.

James sat down, lit a cigarette, and offered one to Benjamin, who was watching TV. "Dad, a cigarette?"