Chapter 11: Breakup
Caroline leaned against him and shook her head.
"Don't thank me. It's what I should do."
Wesley watched the two embracing and smiled, wiping tears from the corner of his eyes. He quietly stepped back, leaving them their space.
The two stayed in front of the tombstone for a long time. It wasn't until the sun rose and the fog lifted that they turned to leave.
But no one noticed that behind a large tree at the cemetery entrance, someone captured this scene and sent it back to the Anderson family.
When the two walked out of the cemetery, Kevin had already driven the car to the entrance. Seeing them come out, he immediately opened the car door.
"Mr. Anderson, where are we going now?"
James looked up toward the depths of Pinecrest City, his eyes cold and filled with murderous intent. He said word by word:
"The Anderson Manor."
The convoy drove all the way to The Anderson Manor. When the cars stopped at the manor entrance, Caroline looked at the scene before her, her brows furrowing slightly.
The manor still looked the same as it always had.
But guarding the entrance were no longer the familiar butler and security guards.
Instead, there were several unfamiliar bodyguards in black suits with fierce expressions, their waists bulging—clearly carrying weapons.
James pushed open the car door and got out, holding Caroline's hand as he walked straight forward with steady steps and an undeniable presence.
The bodyguards at the entrance immediately stepped forward to block them, reaching out to shove James.
"Stop! Who are you? You think you can just walk into The Anderson Manor?"
James looked up and gave them a cold glance. The chilling intensity in his eyes made the bodyguard's hand freeze in mid-air.
One of the older bodyguards stared at James's face for a few seconds. His pupils suddenly contracted, his face turned instantly pale, and his legs began to tremble uncontrollably. He stammered:
"Are you James?"
At these words, the other bodyguards panicked, looking at each other and backing away. All their earlier arrogance vanished.
Those who had worked at The Anderson Manor for years had seen what James looked like and heard about what happened back then.
Now seeing this James who had disappeared for ten years suddenly return with such an imposing manner, no one dared to block him anymore.
James ignored their panic, kicked aside the bodyguard blocking his way, and walked through the gate holding Caroline's hand.
The scenery in the courtyard was still the same as ten years ago, except the flowers and plants were somewhat neglected without proper care. The main hall door stood open.
James had just walked into the courtyard with Caroline when they heard hurried footsteps.
Trevor rushed out from inside with dozens of bodyguards, a fake smile plastered on his face as he quickly approached.
"James! You're finally back!"
Trevor opened his arms in what looked like an excited reunion, though his eyes hid a barely noticeable darkness.
"I've been looking everywhere for you these ten years, so worried I couldn't sleep at night. It's so good that you've returned safely!"
As he spoke, he reached out to pat James's shoulder, but James stepped aside, looking at him with cold, emotionless eyes.
Trevor's hand froze in mid-air, and the smile on his face stiffened for a moment before he recovered and sighed.
"James, are you still blaming me? What happened back then was an accident. I was heartbroken too. Now that you're back, the Anderson family's business should naturally be inherited by you. All these years I've been guarding these assets, just waiting for you to come back."
These words sounded sincere. Anyone who didn't know the truth might have been fooled.
James watched Trevor's pretentious act, a cold sneer forming at the corner of his mouth.
His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, echoing throughout the entire courtyard.
"Waiting for me to come back?"
"Trevor, you were waiting for me to come back so you could finish the job and eliminate all future threats, right?"
Trevor's expression changed instantly. A flash of panic crossed his eyes, but he forced himself to stay calm and said:
"James, what are you talking about? How could I do such a thing?"
"Talking nonsense?"
James took a step forward, his gaze like a knife, piercing straight into Trevor.
"Ten years ago, to take over the Anderson family's assets, you hired mercenaries to break into my parents' mansion abroad and brutally murdered them. This blood debt—do you think I'd forget?"
His words exploded like a bomb in the courtyard.
Trevor's disguise was completely torn apart. The color drained from his face as he roared in embarrassment and anger:
"You're making false accusations! James, don't think you can twist the truth just because you're back!"
"Whether I'm twisting the truth or not, you know better than anyone."
James's eyes were cold as ice.
"The Harris family was just your pawn, and Steel Serpent Mercenaries were also hired by you. You schemed to kill me, but unfortunately, you didn't have what it takes."
Trevor knew this matter couldn't be easily resolved today. A vicious look flashed in his eyes as he barked orders at the bodyguards behind him:
"Get him! Take down this lying bastard! If he resists, kill him on the spot!"
Dozens of bodyguards immediately rushed forward with red eyes, holding electric batons as they lunged at James.
James gently pushed Caroline behind him, moved, and met them head-on.
Facing the bodyguard charging at the front, he grabbed the man's wrist and twisted it lightly. With a crisp snap, the man's arm dislocated instantly, and he fell to the ground screaming.
Then he dodged another bodyguard's baton, lifted his foot, and kicked the man in the abdomen.
The man flew backward like a rag doll, crashed into a stone table in the courtyard, and coughed up blood.
In just three moves, the three bodyguards at the front were on the ground, unable to get up.
James stood in place, not even a corner of his clothes disturbed, his cold eyes sweeping over the remaining bodyguards.
Those men instantly stopped in their tracks, scared, backing away one by one. No one dared to advance.
Trevor watched this scene, his pupils contracting sharply. He stumbled backward several steps, his body hitting a pillar behind him before he could barely steady himself.
He never imagined that after ten years, James's fighting skills would be this formidable!
Fear instantly gripped his heart. He knew that if he couldn't take down James today, he would be the one to die.
Trevor's hand quietly reached for his waist. He suddenly pulled out a black handgun, turned the barrel, and aimed it straight at Caroline behind James.
"James! Don't come any closer!"
Trevor's voice trembled but was ruthlessly vicious.
"If you dare move one more step, I'll shoot her! Let's see how arrogant you can be then!"
Caroline stared at the gun barrel pointed at her. Her pupils dilated sharply, all the blood in her body seeming to freeze instantly as she instinctively froze in place.
James's expression darkened to the extreme, his eyes churning with overwhelming murderous intent.
"If you dare hurt her, I'll make you regret being born into this world!"