Chapter 10: Cemetery
James scanned the scene, his eyes darkening. He raised his hand to grab the communicator, his voice returning to its usual cold edge.
"Pass the word down. Gather all troops. In three days, we crush The Anderson Manor!"
"Leave two people to clean up the scene. Everyone else, come with me. We're heading to Pinecrest City tonight."
James's voice still carried a trace of unresolved hoarseness, his mind filled with worry for Caroline.
Kevin immediately responded, pulling out his communicator to issue quick orders.
In no time, several black SUVs pulled up outside the warehouse, their headlights piercing through the night, blindingly bright.
Caroline was sitting in the back seat applying medicine to an injured team member. Seeing James return safely, her anxious heart instantly settled, and she hurried toward him.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
She reached out to touch James's arm. When her fingertips brushed against his blood-stained clothes, tears welled up in her eyes again.
James raised his hand to hold hers, pressing her palm against his face, his tone incredibly gentle.
"I'm fine, just a small injury. Don't worry."
Caroline pressed her lips together and shook her head, leaning into his embrace. Only when she heard his heartbeat did the unease in her heart slowly fade.
Soon after, everyone got into the vehicles one by one. The convoy left the warehouse and sped toward Pinecrest City.
The night was thick. The cars raced along the highway, trees outside the windows flying backward in a blur.
Caroline leaned against James's shoulder, her eyelids drooping lightly, but she couldn't fall asleep. A sense of unease lingered in her heart.
James sensed her anxiety and raised his hand to pat her back, his fingers gently combing through her hair.
Just then, Kevin in the front seat took a phone call. His expression instantly darkened. After hanging up, he turned to look at James.
"Mr. Anderson, we just got word. Trevor has contacted the Turner family, the West family, and the Saunders family in Pinecrest City. All three families have agreed to join forces against you. Right now, Pinecrest City is crawling with their informants. Our journey there probably won't be peaceful."
As soon as those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the vehicle became heavy. Even the driver instinctively tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
Caroline's head shot up, her hand clutching James's tightening instantly, her eyes full of worry.
"The Four Families joining forces? What do we do? They have so many people. We're no match for them at all."
She had heard of Pinecrest City's Four Families.
They were powers deeply rooted in Pinecrest City for years—wealthy, influential, with countless people at their command.
Even if James brought Specter Syndicate's people, a direct confrontation wouldn't gain them any advantage.
James looked down at her furrowed brow and raised his hand to smooth it out.
He pulled her into his embrace, his chin resting on top of her head, his voice firm without a hint of hesitation.
"What's there to be afraid of? If they want to join forces, I'll play along."
"Ten years ago, everything Trevor took from me, everything he stripped away from me—this time, I'm taking it all back with interest!"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a cold chill that, when it reached Caroline's ears, somehow made her feel at ease.
She looked up at his profile. The car lights cast alternating shadows across his face, reminding her of the young man who protected her ten years ago. He had never changed.
"But they have too many people."
Caroline couldn't help but murmur softly, her fingers picking at the corner of his clothes.
"So what if they have many people? Specter Syndicate has never been afraid of too many enemies."
James pinched her cheek, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Besides, The Four Families may appear to be cooperating, but they each have their own calculations. Whatever Trevor can give them, I can give them more. Their alliance is nothing but a fragile web of interests."
He already had a plan. During his ten years away, he not only built Specter Syndicate but also secretly accumulated considerable connections and wealth.
Dealing with Trevor and The Four Families—there was definitely a chance of winning.
Caroline looked at his confident expression and nodded, burying her face in his embrace without saying another word. She just clutched his clothes, tighter and tighter.
She knew that once James decided on something, he would never change his mind. And all she could do was stay by his side and trust him.
The convoy sped along. Just as dawn was breaking, they finally arrived at Pinecrest City.
James didn't head straight to The Anderson Manor. Instead, he had everyone drive toward the cemetery on the outskirts of the city.
Caroline looked at the familiar road outside the car window and immediately understood—James was going to visit his parents.
She gently squeezed his hand without saying anything, just quietly staying by his side.
The cemetery was very quiet. The morning mist hadn't yet lifted, carrying a slight chill. The stone path was wet with dew, slippery underfoot.
James had Kevin and the others wait at the entrance. He only held Caroline's hand as they slowly walked inside.
James's parents' tombstone was deep in the cemetery, clean and tidy. Fresh white chrysanthemums were placed in front of it, their petals covered with dew—clearly just placed there recently.
James walked up to the tombstone and stopped, his body stiffening slightly. He raised his hand to gently brush over his parents' names on the stone, his fingertips trembling.
Ten years. He had finally returned, carrying both glory and deep-seated hatred, back to his parents' side.
"Dad, Mom, I'm back."
His voice was soft, carrying a barely noticeable hoarseness.
"I'll avenge what happened ten years ago. Everything Trevor owes us, I'll get back bit by bit. You can rest assured."
Caroline stood beside him, raising her hand to gently pat his back. Tears welled up in her eyes too as she bowed deeply to the tombstone.
"Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Anderson, I've come back with James to see you. From now on, I'll stay by his side. You can rest assured."
Just then, an elderly voice came from behind them. "Mr. Anderson, you've finally come back."
James turned around to see Wesley, the cemetery caretaker, walking over with a cane. His hair was gray, his face covered with wrinkles, but he still looked spirited.
Wesley had watched James grow up. After Peter's family met with disaster, he had been guarding this cemetery, never slacking off.
"Wesley, thank you for all these years."
James bowed slightly to Wesley, his tone full of gratitude.
"It's no trouble, no trouble at all."
Wesley waved his hand, his gaze falling on Caroline as he said with a smile.
"Mr. Anderson, you don't know this, but for these ten years, Caroline has come almost every month without fail, rain or shine. She wipes the tombstone, brings fresh flowers, and talks to them. She's been more devoted than a real daughter."
At these words, James suddenly turned to look at Caroline, his eyes full of emotion.
He only knew that Caroline had waited for him for ten years.
But he didn't know she had also been honoring his parents all this time, day after day for ten years, never missing a visit.
Caroline felt a bit embarrassed under his gaze. She smiled with pressed lips, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"They were very good to me. It's what I should do."
James reached out and pulled her tightly into his embrace, his chin resting on top of her head. His heart melted completely, and his eyes couldn't help but redden.
Ten years. His Caroline had suffered so much, waited for him for ten years. This devotion—he could never repay it in this lifetime.
"Thank you, Caroline."
His voice carried a sob as he gently patted her back.