Megan Callahan, Tommy’s younger sister and Howard’s daughter, entered the room. Immediately, she noticed Thea and James, her gaze lingering on them. She then approached Lex, showing him a news article on her phone.

The article displayed a picture of Alex Yates, chairman of Celestial Group, bowing to Thea with outstretched arm. Lex was astonished. In Cansington, even the Great Four obeyed Yates's rules.

Lex grabbed a contract from the table, confirming it was a hundred-million-dollar order. He erupted in laughter. “Ha ha! Excellent job, Thea. You’re a true Callahan! It’s time for Eternality Group to shine!”

“What about James, Grandfather?” Thea asked.

A middle-aged woman entered. “What? Joel Xavier is here?” It was Gladys, Thea’s mother.

Spotting Joel, Gladys rushed toward him, beaming. “You must be Joel! I’ve heard so much about you! What do you think of Thea? If you want her, she’s yours.”

“Mom!” Thea exclaimed, stamping her foot in anger. Looking at Lex, she nearly burst into tears. “Grandfather, we did as you asked. We secured the order; you must keep your word.”

Lex grunted in response.

Joel sneered. “So what if you got the contract? One phone call voids it.”

“How dare you…” Thea pointed at Joel, pleading with Lex. “Grandfather.”

Lex set the contract down. He couldn't understand why Alex Yates had dealt with Thea personally, but Celestial Group’s close partnership with the Xaviers was undeniable. Offending Joel risked losing the contract, especially since Thea, not James, had secured it.

Puffing his tobacco pipe, Lex declared, “Thea, you obtained the contract. It has nothing to do with James. I stand by my decision: divorce James and marry Joel.”

Joel looked smug, confident in his victory. He planned to dispose of James once Thea was his. He doubted Lex Callahan would offend him for someone as insignificant as James; doing so would severely disadvantage the Callahans.

Gleefully, Joel added, “A smart choice, Mister Callahan. My father is about to lead the family. Keep me happy, and you'll get all the orders you want.”

“Honey…” Thea looked tearfully at James.

James asked, “What do you want, Thea?”

Thea stated firmly, “We’re married. I’m your wife. Unless I’m dead, there’s no divorce.”

James nodded. “Call Alex Yates and explain the situation. Let’s see if Joel’s claim about voiding the contract is true. If he has that power, perhaps you’d be happier with him—better than staying with a poor man like me.”

The Callahans looked at James with admiration.

Lex smiled. “James, you’re a smart man. Don’t worry. I’ll keep my word. After the divorce, you’ll receive five hundred thousand dollars.”

Thea, worried James felt pressured, held his hand tightly. “Honey, don’t worry. I’ll ensure you stay. If they try to throw you out, I’ll kill myself.”

“Call Alex Yates,” James said.

“Okay,” Thea replied, retrieving her phone and Alex’s business card.

Before she could call, Gladys snatched the phone. “Enough nonsense! This trash agreed to the divorce! Why are you so stubborn? Joel is far superior!”

Joel waved dismissively. “Let her call; it'll break her resolve. Thea, ask if Celestial prefers the Xaviers or the Callahans.”

Gladys gave Thea back the phone. Joel, convinced of his victory, knew the Callahans were second-rate; Celestial wouldn't abandon the Xaviers.

Thea called. “Mister Yates? It’s Thea Callahan. We signed a contract. Joel Xavier says he can void it.”

In Alex Yates’ office, he roared, “Joel? Joel Xavier? No one voids a contract I signed!”

“The Xaviers’ Megatron Group. Joel also asked if you’d rather work with the Xaviers or the Callahans,” Thea whispered, aware of the Xaviers' status as part of the Great Four and the Callahans' inferior position.

“Okay, Thea. Let me check; I’ll call you back.”

“Sure,” Thea replied, hanging up.

Joel smirked. “How did it go?”

“Mister Yates said he’ll call back,” Thea responded.

Alex immediately investigated. He rarely handled partnerships; his vice president usually did. He discovered Celestial had given Megatron first dibs on orders.

“Walton, you’re fired! Get out!”

Alex ordered the cancellation of all Megatron orders.

He then returned Thea’s call. “Thea, we’ve canceled everything with Megatron. Eternality gets first dibs. Does that please you?”

The call was on speakerphone. Everyone heard. Shock rippled through the room. Only Joel laughed. “Thea, who did you call? What’s this about canceling Megatron and working with Eternality? Only a fool would do that. Did you pay someone to impersonate Celestial’s chairman?”

Alex, hearing Joel's loud words through the speakerphone, exploded. “Joel Xavier? The Xaviers are finished!”

He then lowered his voice. “Thea, don’t worry. The Xaviers gave you trouble? Hold on. I’ll take care of it. They’ll be bankrupt in half an hour!”

He hung up and barked orders. “I don’t care how; I want the Xaviers bankrupt in half an hour!”

Alex Yates, Celestial Group’s chairman, held immense power even outside the Capital. If he wanted the Xaviers bankrupt, they would be.

James, pleased, saw Thea’s confusion and smiled. “Thea, I think Mister Yates is quite fond of you. Are you his goddaughter?”

Joel was incredulous. How could the Xaviers go bankrupt in half an hour?

A call from his father shattered his disbelief. “You little b*stard! What did you do? Celestial canceled the partnership with Megatron!”

Joel was speechless.

(The final promotional sentence was removed as it is out of place in the cleaned-up text.)