Chapter 5: Confiding One’s True Feelings to Each Other

Her mind was filled with memories from ten years ago - that boy who would smile and ruffle her hair, slip candy into her hand, and promise to protect her for the rest of her life.

What had he been through these past ten years?

How did that cheerful, optimistic boy turn into The Reaper - covered in thorns, with ice-cold eyes?

She could imagine him alone abroad, carrying a blood debt, fighting his way up bit by bit, building Specter Syndicate from nothing.

The pain, the struggles - they were beyond what ordinary people could endure.

Tears welled up uncontrollably, blurring her vision.

Her shoulders trembled slightly as she gripped James's hand even tighter, as if afraid he'd disappear the moment she let go.

"No, James, I'm just glad you're back. Just glad you're back."

Caroline couldn't hold it in anymore. She collapsed into James's arms, tears streaming down her face.

James's body stiffened. He let out a soft sigh and held Caroline tight.

"Yes, I'm back. I won't leave again."

Thinking of what Caroline had suffered, James comforted her, then turned his gaze to Victor and Edward, his tone ice-cold.

"Lock down all the Harris family industries. If anyone resists, kill them!"

James's cold eyes swept around the room, a hint of murderous intent flashing in them.

Kevin responded immediately, pulling out his communicator and giving orders in a low voice.

Within seconds, the Harris family bodyguards who'd been trying to sneak out to report were pinned down by Specter Syndicate members. They kept their heads down low, not daring to even lift their eyelids.

Whatever thoughts of resistance they'd had were completely scared away.

Victor watched this scene, blood rushing to his head.

While James's attention was on Caroline, he quietly pulled out his phone, fingers shaking so badly he could barely unlock it.

He finally managed to open his contacts, found Trevor's number and dialed. But all he heard was a cold busy tone.

Refusing to give up, he dialed several more numbers of important figures in Silvermoon City.

Whether business partners or smaller forces dependent on the Harris family - none of them would connect.

The phone screen's light reflected on his pale face, even his lips were trembling.

"How can they not connect? Impossible!"

He muttered, then smashed the phone down hard. The screen cracked and it clattered to the floor.

James walked slowly up to him, looking down from above. His leather shoe crushed the broken phone, grinding the screen to pieces.

"Don't waste your energy. You think I'd dare come back to Silvermoon City alone without any preparation?"

Victor looked up, his eyes full of despair and unwillingness.

"What did you do?"

"Three hours before I came back, I had people cut off all the Harris family's outside support."

James's voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority.

"I had all your communications intercepted. In Silvermoon City, anyone connected to the Harris family is either being watched or had their signals blocked. Right now, you're completely alone."

Those words were like ice water poured over Victor's head.

His legs went weak and he nearly collapsed. Edward beside him was so scared he started crying, slumped on the ground not daring to move.

Just then, two Specter Syndicate members walked over with tablets, nodding to James.

"Mr. Anderson, all the Harris family bank accounts, properties, and company shares are frozen."

On the tablet screen, the Harris family's asset list was covered in red circles - all marked as frozen.

Victor looked at those familiar numbers, his vision went dark, and he passed out.

Seeing this, Edward was scared out of his wits, unable to even cry out.

"Drag them out."

James said flatly, not sparing them another glance.

Two Specter Syndicate members stepped forward, one supporting Victor, the other dragging Edward, pulling them toward the hotel exit.

Edward's nails scraped the floor, leaving white marks. His crying grew fainter and finally disappeared at the entrance.

The three Collins family members left in the hall didn't dare breathe.

Landon stood there, cold sweat soaking through his shirt.

He looked at James's back, his heart pounding, finally understanding just how terrifying the James that Caroline had chosen really was.

With a flick of his finger, he could make the currently thriving Harris family in Silvermoon City vanish into thin air.

This kind of power was beyond what the Collins family could even imagine.

Just moments ago, he'd been forcing Caroline into a marriage alliance with the Harris family. Thinking about it now, it was practically suicide.

He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, his palms completely wet. Even the way he looked at James now carried a hint of awe.

James paid no attention to the Collins family's thoughts. He turned and walked to Caroline's side, reaching out to take her hand.

Her hand was still a bit cold, fingertips trembling slightly. James gently rubbed her palm, his tone softening.

"Come on, let's get you out of here."

Caroline nodded, letting him lead her, her steps light as she followed.

Passing by Landon and the others, she paused and looked back, her eyes emotionless.

James led Caroline out of Platinum Haven Hotel. The sunlight outside was a bit blinding.

Caroline instinctively squinted. James raised his hand to shield her from the sun, the warmth of his palm falling on her forehead, nice and warm.

A black SUV was parked outside the hotel.

Kevin stepped forward to open the door, respectfully saying to James, "Mr. Anderson, I'll handle things here. You go ahead."

"Be careful. Clean it up properly."

James nodded, leading Caroline as they bent down to get in the car. The moment the door closed, it shut out all the noise outside. The car was quiet, with only the sound of their breathing.

The car slowly pulled away. Caroline leaned back in her seat, turning to look at James. His profile in the sunlight still had those sharp lines, but without the coldness from the hall - now there was more softness.

As she watched, her eyes reddened again. She reached out to lightly touch his arm, her voice soft.

"James, these ten years, did you really never come back?"

James turned to look at her, reaching up to wipe the moisture from the corner of her eye, his fingertips cool.

"I did, secretly. I stayed in Silvermoon City for one day, watched you from afar. You were buying candy at the school gate - still the same as when you were little, always wanting sweets."

Caroline's tears fell instantly. So he hadn't not wanted to come back - he'd been secretly watching over her all along.

She sniffled and grabbed his hand, pressing it against her face.

"Then why didn't you come find me? I waited for you for ten years, every single day."

"Back then, I hadn't gotten my revenge yet. Trevor's people were still watching me. I didn't dare find you."

James's voice carried a trace of guilt, his fingers gently stroking her cheek.

"I was afraid that if I showed up, I'd drag you down with me. The Collins family might not be that powerful, but at least they could keep you safe and sound. I couldn't destroy your peace."