Chapter 200 The Dust Settles

Chapter 200 The Dust Settles

The rage inside Paige's chest burned hotter and hotter, her hands shaking uncontrollably.

"The father I respected and depended on for over a decade."

"Turns out he's the murderer who killed my mother. Every single day I've been living in this mansion built with my grandfather's fortune."

"Enjoying all that wealth, kept in the dark by you for so many years."

"Just now I was practically begging on my knees for you, and now looking back, it's nothing but laughable."

"Paige, I'm your biological father."

"How can you accuse me with such hurtful words?"

Leroy looked at Paige's hate-filled eyes, his chest tightening with suffocating pressure.

"All these years I've taken care of your every need."

"All these years of family bonds—doesn't that outweigh what happened back then?"

"Our family bond shattered the moment you laid hands on my mother."

Paige cut him off sharply, her eyes cold as ice.

"You took care of me just to use me as a cover for your crimes."

"To hold onto the fortune you stole. I was nothing but an excuse to hide your sins."

"From now on, I'm severing all ties with you."

"I won't touch a single penny of the Martinez family assets."

"The consequences of your actions are yours alone to bear."

Leroy's face went deathly pale as he staggered backward several steps.

James couldn't be bothered to spare them another glance. He turned his cold gaze to Leroy.

"Let's go. You're coming with me."

With that, he strode out. Iron Wolf dragged Leroy and Adrian along behind him.

Paige sat on the floor, unmoving, staring blankly as they left.

Outside the Martinez Manor, James gave a direct order.

"Back to Silvermoon City."

They drove through the night. By the next morning, they'd arrived in Silvermoon City.

James didn't return to the Anderson Manor. Instead, he had the car drive straight to the cemetery.

At the cemetery entrance, Iron Wolf hauled the two men out.

Adrian's legs gave out completely—he couldn't even stand. Leroy wasn't much better, his face drained of color.

"Move."

James led the way inside.

The cemetery was quiet, only the sound of wind rustling through leaves.

When they reached the headstone of James's parents, he stopped.

He stood there for a moment, then reached out to wipe the dust from the marble.

Behind him, Iron Wolf kicked both men in the backs of their knees.

They dropped hard onto the concrete, their kneecaps cracking against the ground.

They grimaced in pain but didn't dare cry out.

James turned around and looked down at them.

"You recognize them, don't you?"

Adrian lifted his head to glance at the headstone, then quickly lowered it again, trembling like a leaf.

"Peter," his voice shook.

"I was wrong. I know I was wrong."

He started kowtowing as he spoke, his forehead slamming against the ground with dull thuds.

After just a few blows, his forehead split open, blood streaming down his face.

Leroy joined in, kowtowing frantically.

"Mr. Anderson, I was wrong. Back then I was possessed—I believed Adrian's lies."

"I lost my mind and agreed to it. I'll never do it again."

James said nothing, just stared at them coldly. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"Back then, did my parents beg you?"

Adrian's kowtowing faltered.

"Answer me."

James's voice was ice-cold.

"Yes. Yes, they did." Adrian's voice was barely audible.

"Peter begged me. He said you were still young, asked me to spare them. Said he'd give me everything—all the assets—if I'd just let them live."

"And then?"

James took a step forward.

"You did it anyway, didn't you?"

Adrian didn't dare speak, just kept kowtowing frantically.

"I really was wrong."

James crouched down and grabbed him by the hair, yanking his head up.

"What exactly were you wrong about? That you didn't finish the job and let me survive?"

"No." Adrian's face twisted in pain.

James let out a cold laugh, gripping Adrian's head.

He slammed it into the ground. Once. Twice. Three times. The sickening thuds echoed through the cemetery.

After dozens of blows, Adrian's face was a bloody mess, his consciousness fading.

Only then did James release him. Adrian collapsed like a puddle of filth, whimpering pathetically.

Leroy watched from the side, scared out of his wits.

"Mr. Anderson, Mr. Anderson, I really know I was wrong."

Leroy sobbed, begging for mercy.

James stood up and dusted off his hands.

He pulled a gun from his waistband, the dark barrel pointing at both men.

Leroy's face went white with terror.

"What are you doing?"

He looked at Adrian, who was half-unconscious, mumbling incoherently for mercy.

"Ten years."

James said softly.

"It's time to end this."

Bang!

A gunshot rang out. Adrian's body jerked and collapsed, going still.

Leroy screamed.

"No!"

Bang!

Another shot. Leroy fell.

The cemetery returned to silence, only the sound of wind.

James stood there, staring at the headstone for a long time.

Something inside him felt hollow, yet the weight he'd carried for ten years had finally lifted.

"Mom. Dad."

He spoke quietly.

"Adrian and Leroy are dealt with. And Ironclad Weapons Corp—don't worry, I won't let any of them go."

He stood there a while longer before turning to leave.

"Find somewhere remote to bury these two pieces of trash."

James didn't look back.

"Don't dirty this place."

"Understood."

Iron Wolf turned to make arrangements.

Kevin was waiting in the car at the cemetery entrance. James climbed in and leaned back against the seat, eyes closed, exhaustion written across his face.

Kevin didn't dare disturb him, driving quietly toward the Anderson Manor.

When they arrived at the manor entrance, James got out.

He saw Garth standing at the gate, leaning on his cane, looking like he'd been waiting a long time.

James walked over.

"Grandpa."

Garth looked at him, his expression complicated.

"Is it done?"

James nodded.

"Yes."

Garth sighed deeply and closed his eyes.

"He deserved what he got, but he was still my son."

James said nothing. He knew Garth was torn—caught between his son and his grandson. Either way, it hurt.

"From now on."

Garth opened his eyes.

"I'll stay home. I won't go out, won't see anyone. I'm leaving everything in your hands."

James looked at Garth's graying hair, feeling a pang in his chest. But he didn't try to argue. There was no point.

"Alright."

He nodded.

Garth turned and walked inside, leaning heavily on his cane, his back hunched.

He looked like he'd aged several years in an instant.

James stood at the entrance, watching him go, for a long while.

"James?"

Caroline's voice came from behind him.

James turned. Caroline stood there.

Her eyes were red—she'd been behind the door and had heard their conversation.

"You heard everything?"

James asked.

Caroline nodded, walked over, and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"It's over now. Don't be sad."

James held her close, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

Breathing in her faint, sweet scent, the emptiness inside him slowly began to fill.

"You're all I have left."

Caroline gently patted his back.

"I've always been here. From now on, we'll live a good life together."

James didn't speak, just held her tighter.

After a long moment, he finally lifted his head.

He looked down at Caroline. Her eyes were bright, full of concern.

James lowered his head and kissed her.

Caroline froze for a second, then closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"James, I'll always be by your side."

"I know. Always."