Chapter 13 Taking Over the Anderson Family
Caroline's eyes turned red, and her hand holding the cotton swab began to tremble.
James's heart skipped a beat, but he said nothing.
She dabbed and blew on the wound, trying to ease his pain.
He just gently stroked her hair, his fingertips brushing across the top of her head, his face full of tenderness.
Seeing this scene, Garth's expression darkened, a flash of guilt crossed his eyes, and he hated Trevor even more.
Without even glancing at Trevor, he gave orders through gritted teeth.
"Take this bastard to the dungeon. After I finish dealing with the Anderson family matters, send him where he belongs."
The servants responded and dragged Trevor outside.
Trevor finally panicked. Though Garth was strict, he valued family ties.
Now that he knew Trevor had harmed Peter's family, there was no guarantee Garth wouldn't put righteousness above family loyalty.
"Dad! I was wrong! I lost my mind! Please spare me this once! I'll apologize to James!"
He desperately tried to kneel, but being held up, he couldn't move. He looked utterly pathetic.
Garth closed his eyes, waved his hand, and didn't look at him again.
After Trevor was dragged away, Garth walked up to James, looked at the bandaged shoulder, and sighed.
"James, I've wronged you. I let you and your parents suffer so much. These ten years, you've been through so much."
James looked up, seeing Garth's graying hair and the bloodshot in his eyes, his heart felt heavy.
Ten years of grievances, ten years of fighting for survival, all stuck in his throat. He wanted to say something but didn't know where to start.
"It's all in the past now."
Garth shook his head and took out a seal from his pocket, carved with the Anderson family crest.
This was the Anderson family seal. Holding it meant being the head of the Anderson family.
He handed the seal to James, his eyes serious.
"James, this seal originally belonged to your father. Now, it should be given to you. From today on, you are the new head of the Anderson family. Everything in the Anderson family is yours to decide."
James looked at the seal and frowned.
He came back only for revenge, to seek justice for his parents. He never thought about becoming the head of the Anderson family.
The Anderson family only held bad memories for him. He didn't want to stay or manage it.
"Grandpa, I don't want it."
James pushed his hand away. "I came back to avenge my parents. I don't want to deal with Anderson family matters."
Garth frowned and pushed the seal back into his hand.
"James, this isn't about what you want. You're an Anderson descendant. The Anderson family was your parents' legacy. If you don't protect it, who will? Trevor has become a criminal. The Anderson family can't be without a head. If you don't take it, the Anderson family will fall apart."
James lowered his eyes, his feelings complicated.
He hated the Anderson family, but it was also Peter's family.
Since Garth put it this way, if he didn't accept, would he be letting his parents down?
But if he accepted, he'd have to stay in Pinecrest City and deal with the Anderson family's mess.
He still had his Specter Syndicate partners and a pile of other matters. Plus, he was afraid Caroline would suffer if she stayed with him.
Caroline saw James's furrowed brow and conflicted expression. She gently patted the back of his hand, reached out to take the seal, and placed it in James's palm.
She looked up at James, her eyes smiling, and said softly,
"James, accept it. This isn't a burden, it's your parents' hope."
"By protecting the Anderson family, you're protecting them. And with you as the head, the Anderson family can get better. Your parents in heaven will be at peace too."
She knew James's concerns and his resentment toward the Anderson family.
But she also knew that deep down, James had never truly let go of his parents or the Anderson family.
James looked at the seal in his palm, feeling its cold touch, then looked at Caroline. The conflict in his heart slowly faded.
He looked up at Garth and slowly tightened his grip on the seal. "Grandpa, I'll take it."
Seeing him grip the seal, Garth's eyes showed a smile, and he nodded.
"Good, good. With you here, I can rest easy about the Anderson family."
Seeing him accept it, Caroline also felt relieved and took James's hand.
"James, don't overthink it. Whatever you do, I'll be with you, protecting the Anderson family and protecting you."
James looked down at their joined hands, his emotions complex.
He nodded and gently pulled her into his arms.
"Okay. With you here, anywhere is home."
Early the next morning, James had Kevin bring everyone to the conference hall.
In front of him lay the roster of all Anderson family branches. His fingertips tapped the table, the sound not loud but making everyone in the hall hold their breath.
He didn't waste words and had Kevin directly read out the list of Trevor's core supporters.
With each name called, the atmosphere in the hall grew colder.
Those whose names were called looked uncomfortable, clutching their clothes, but no one dared speak first.
"Trevor plotted treason and murder. Those who followed him either voluntarily give up their authority and get out of the Anderson family, or face punishment with him."
James's voice was flat, his eyes scanning everyone before landing on Elton Anderson in the front row.
Elton was Trevor's cousin, controlling the Anderson family's construction materials business. He now stuck out his neck and shouted.
"James, who do you think you are? You're just a loser who wandered outside for ten years. What gives you the right to strip us of our power? Trevor was just framed by you. It's not your place to run the Anderson family!"
As soon as he finished, several of Trevor's other supporters behind him echoed, making a racket, trying to use their numbers to pressure James.
James looked up, a cold smile on his lips. He said nothing, just gave Kevin a look.
Kevin immediately understood, stepped forward, grabbed Elton's wrist, and with a crisp sound, twisted his arm behind his back. Elton screamed in pain.
"Looks like you've forgotten who pinned Trevor to the ground yesterday."
James stood up and walked step by step to Elton, placing his foot on Elton's knee. With a little pressure, Elton dropped to his knees.
"Since you dare to stand up for Trevor, you're useless now." James pressed his gun against Elton's temple, his eyes showing no warmth.
The hall instantly fell silent. People didn't even dare breathe loudly.
Those who had just echoed were trembling, quickly backing away, afraid of being targeted by James.
Elton's face turned pale with fear, begging for mercy, but James ignored him completely.
He just waved his hand, and Kevin dragged Elton out.
Soon, a scream came from outside, then silence.
This killed the chicken to warn the monkeys. No one in the hall dared object anymore.
James walked back to the main seat and sat down, his tone softening a bit.
"I'm not someone who kills everyone. Trevor's mistakes are his own. Those willing to submit to me, I'll let bygones be bygones. Keep doing your jobs, and I might even give you more."