Chapter 189 Appointment

Chapter 189 Appointment

"I'm cutting ties with the Tovar family, then taking my men back to Solaria."

"Alright."

James nodded.

"Cedric's going to blow a gasket when he finds out. Watch yourself."

"He's got a sizable security detail. If things really go south, you'll have your hands full."

Theodore added offhandedly.

"I know."

Neither man said more.

Everything that needed discussing had been settled.

Theodore turned and headed toward the other side of the dock.

His car was parked over there.

After a couple of steps, he stopped and looked back.

"James, you're more reliable than Cedric. If there's business in Solaria down the line, feel free to reach out."

James didn't respond verbally, only nodded.

Theodore left.

James was alone on the dock now.

The wind kept blowing, waves slapping against the rocks along the shore with steady crashes.

James stood there a moment, then turned back.

With Theodore out of the picture, he could focus entirely on dealing with Cedric.

He had the Tovar family's confessions in hand, plus Theodore's withdrawal.

Cedric had lost an ally and a cash cow.

The cards in play now were much easier to deal with.

He got back in his car and started the engine.

The headlights cut through the darkness as he drove toward the villa.

The car was quiet. James pulled out his phone and sent Kevin a message.

[Deal's done. Tomorrow, compile a complete asset inventory of the Tovar family and deliver it to Azure Bay.]

After sending it, he pressed the accelerator.

In three days, he'd be delivering Kyle to Cedric's place—another confrontation.

But that was fine.

He was ready.

Theodore kept his word.

The next morning, his verified international social media account posted a public statement.

At the same time, his people spread the news through every private chat group in Pinecrest City's elite circles.

The content was blunt: the Tovar family had been untrustworthy in business dealings years ago, screwing over partners—their deaths were deserved.

Theodore had no relationship with the Tovar family and wouldn't seek revenge for dead people.

Today, he was taking his team and leaving Pinecrest City, staying out of local affairs from now on.

Within half an hour of posting, his convoy departed from Azure Bay.

They hit the highway heading straight for Solaria.

The news spread like wildfire, sweeping through Pinecrest City's elite circles within hours.

Everyone was stunned.

Just days ago, rumors had been flying that Theodore was going to declare war on James. How could he just leave like this?

Chat groups erupted with speculation. Some said Theodore was afraid of James and didn't dare make a move.

Others claimed James had offered some private incentive to send him packing.

All sorts of theories circulated, but no one dared openly ask anyone on Cedric's side.

Everyone knew this was essentially a slap in Cedric's face.

At Cedric's private estate on the outskirts of the city.

Cedric sat in his study, scrolling through his tablet when he saw the statement. His hand swept violently across the desk.

The teacup flew off and shattered on the floor.

Hot tea mixed with porcelain shards splattered everywhere.

"Unbelievable! Who the hell does Theodore think he is! Takes my money, then has the nerve to play me!"

Cedric's chest heaved violently, his face flushed crimson.

He'd been counting on Theodore and James tearing each other apart while he reaped the benefits.

Instead, Theodore had just walked away without so much as a heads-up.

It was like getting slapped in the face in front of all of Pinecrest City.

The security captain standing below kept his head lowered, barely breathing.

Everyone knew Cedric was at his boiling point—whoever spoke up would be the unlucky one.

"Go! Send a convoy to the highway exit! Cut Theodore off and bring him back!"

"I want to ask him what the hell this means!"

Cedric pointed at the door, his voice cracking.

The security captain quickly acknowledged and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Cedric called him back.

He took a couple of breaths, forcibly suppressing his rage.

Intercept him?

How?

Theodore had brought twenty mercenaries, every one of them a hardened fighter carrying weapons.

If they actually stopped him and things turned violent, he'd be the one taking losses.

Besides, Theodore had been on the highway for over half an hour already. It was too late to catch up.

"Forget it."

Cedric bit out through clenched teeth, sinking back into his chair.

"Bunch of useless idiots."

He cursed—whether at Theodore or his own people, it wasn't clear.

The study fell deathly silent.

Cedric's fingers drummed on the desk, his mind racing.

Theodore was gone. The Tovar family was finished.

The people he could rely on had just decreased by two.

Marius would definitely press his advantage now.

No.

He couldn't let this slide.

James, that outsider—what right did he have to be so arrogant in Pinecrest City?

If he didn't eliminate him, Cedric would never be able to hold his head up here again.

Cedric's eyes turned vicious.

"Go. Make an encrypted call to Kaelen. Mobilize two thousand men. Assemble tonight."

The security captain's head snapped up.

"Prince Cedric, you mean to—?"

"I'm going to arrest James."

"Prince Cedric, you can't!"

The security captain panicked.

"That's Prince Marius's property. If we mobilize that many men—"

"Prince Marius definitely won't let it go. If this blows up—"

"So what if it blows up?"

Cedric cut him off.

"The Royal Guard answers to me anyway."

"James broke into private property and maliciously injured people. Arresting him is perfectly justified."

"If Marius tries to stop me, he's harboring a criminal."

"But—"

"No buts. Make the call."

"We leave at 1 a.m. Surround that villa so tight a fly can't get through. I want James alive."

The security captain didn't dare argue further. He could only bow his head in acknowledgment and retreat.

At the same time, Marius sat in his office, listening to Eldon's report.

His fingers tapped lightly on the desk.

"Cedric's mobilizing two thousand Royal Guard to surround James's villa tonight?"

"Yes. Word just came from inside the Royal Guard. They're already assembling. Departure is at 1 a.m."

Eldon said.

Tobias stood nearby, frowning.

"Dad, Cedric's gotten too bold. On Pinecrest City territory, he dares to privately deploy the Royal Guard to surround someone?"

Marius smiled faintly.

"He's desperate. With Theodore gone, he's out of people."

"If he doesn't find a way to eliminate James now, he'll never get another chance."

"So what do we do? Are we really helping James?"

Tobias asked.

"Help him. Why wouldn't we?"

Marius said.

"James is our ally. And this is a perfect opportunity."

"Cedric deploying troops without authorization to attack our guest—when word gets out, he's the one in the wrong."

"We can use this chance to take control of his Royal Guard and force him out of Azure Bay."

"Should I bring three thousand security personnel?"

Eldon asked.

"Yes."

Marius nodded.

"Take three thousand men and set up an ambush on the access road behind the villa ahead of time."

"Wait until Cedric's people have the villa surrounded, then come out and encircle them."

"Remember—don't fire first. Let them shoot first. We need to be in the right."

"Understood."

"Also, keep Mr. Anderson safe. If anything happens to him, our losses will be enormous."

"Don't worry."

Eldon turned and left to make arrangements.

Tobias looked at Marius, somewhat concerned.

"Dad, do you think James can hold out until we arrive? Cedric's bringing two thousand men."

"Relax."