Chapter 24: Rose to Two Billion US Dollars
Iron Wolf responded and headed toward the study with two team members.
Only James and Ronin remained in the living room, along with Lachlan lying on the floor, barely clinging to life.
The smell of blood mixed with cigarette smoke in the air was unpleasant. James took two drags, then stubbed out the cigarette, tossed it on the floor, and ground it with his foot.
Before long, Iron Wolf returned, holding a folder and a USB drive.
"Mr. Anderson, all the evidence is here—transfer records, letters, and recordings of the transactions from back then. Everything's complete."
James took the folder and flipped through it casually. The contents were thorough, enough to completely destroy the Turner family.
He handed the folder back to Iron Wolf and ordered,
"Organize these materials. Also, arrange for people to take over all of the Turner family's assets. Don't miss a single thing."
"Yes, Mr. Anderson."
Iron Wolf responded immediately and pulled out his phone to make arrangements.
Ronin watched all this, his heart breaking, yet powerless to do anything.
The Turner family he'd spent his entire life building was being destroyed by his own hands.
"Mr. Anderson, I've done everything you asked. Please, spare my family, spare my son."
He begged James repeatedly.
James didn't even look at him and turned to leave. "I promised to spare your life."
"As for your family, they weren't involved in what happened back then, so I won't hurt them. But the Turner family's assets must all be returned to the Anderson family."
"From now on, you'll live and watch the Anderson family prosper while the Turner family has nothing. That's your punishment."
With that, he didn't linger any longer and led his people out of Turner Manor.
In the car, James leaned back in his seat, rubbing his temples, feeling exhausted.
Dealing with the Turner family seemed easy enough, but the hatred in his heart hadn't diminished much.
Ten years—he'd finally taken the first step in his revenge, but there was still a long road ahead.
The West family, the Saunders family, Ironclad Weapons Corp, and the real culprit hiding behind it all—he would settle accounts with them one by one.
Soon, news of the Turner family's downfall spread throughout Pinecrest City. Everyone was in disbelief.
One of the Four Families that had dominated Pinecrest City for a century was just... gone?
Who was bold enough to do this? The remaining families were thrown into panic, sending people to investigate.
What no one knew was that while Pinecrest City's turmoil hadn't settled, an even bigger storm was brewing on the dark web.
On the way back to the hotel, Iron Wolf saw a message on his phone. His expression changed instantly, and he quickly turned to look at James in the back seat.
"Mr. Anderson, we have a problem. There's activity on the dark web."
James opened his eyes, the exhaustion still lingering between his brows, his tone flat. "Speak."
"Your bounty has been raised to two billion dollars."
James took the phone. On the screen was a screenshot of the dark web bounty.
He tapped the screen lightly with his fingertip, his expression unchanged, though a chill rose in his heart.
It seemed the Turner family's destruction had not only shaken Pinecrest City's elite families but had also completely enraged Ironclad Weapons Corp.
Two billion dollars was enough to drive every desperate criminal in the world insane.
Things probably wouldn't be peaceful from now on.
"Got it."
James handed the phone back to Iron Wolf and closed his eyes, his tone still calm.
"Have the tech team keep a close watch. Report to me immediately if any mercenaries accept the contract."
Iron Wolf nodded. The car continued forward, and the cabin fell silent again except for the engine's rumble.
James leaned back in his seat, rubbing his temples, his feelings mixed.
When they returned to the hotel, Caroline had already fallen asleep on the sofa, traces of worry still visible in her features.
James sighed softly, walked over, and carried Caroline to the bed.
Looking at Caroline's innocent, confused expression as she slept, James felt complicated emotions.
He hoped Caroline could stay this pure and innocent forever.
Then James went to the bathroom for a quick shower.
Just as he was about to get dressed, he frowned when he saw his blood-stained clothes.
Since returning to the country, he'd been focused solely on revenge and hadn't had time to deal with such things.
It seemed he needed to go out and buy some clothes, and he could take Caroline out for a walk too.
After all, neither of them had relaxed during this time.
The next morning, Caroline woke up to see James lying on the sofa, his chest half-bare. Her face instantly turned red.
Worried James might catch cold, Caroline quickly grabbed a blanket and carefully walked over.
But the moment she got close, James suddenly opened his eyes, gripped her wrist tightly, and quickly flipped her beneath him.
Cold energy radiated from him, and his eyes held fierce killing intent.
"James."
Caroline's voice trembled with fear, her wide eyes instantly reddening.
When he saw who it was, James finally came to his senses and felt somewhat guilty.
"Sorry, Caroline, I thought you were an enemy."
It was his instinctive reaction. After so many years of battlefield combat, countless people had tried to kill him.
So for all this time, he'd never had a good night's sleep.
Seeing James's exhausted appearance, Caroline didn't blame him at all. Instead, she reached out and hugged him tightly.
"James, I don't blame you. All these years, you've had it so hard."
The old James wouldn't wake up even if thunder struck—even Peter used to joke about how well James slept.
But for these ten years, he'd been living in constant danger, needing to stay alert at all times.
Caroline felt heartbroken and sad for James.
James's body stiffened. He pressed his lips together tightly and awkwardly patted Caroline's back.
"I'm not suffering, Caroline. Since we're free today, how about I take you shopping at the mall?"
Caroline was a bit surprised, but since James suggested it, she was naturally willing.
"Sure, James, but..."
Given their current position—
Caroline's gaze moved downward. James's firm chest was pressing against hers, and the warm sensation made her heart race.
Only then did James realize. His ears reddened slightly as he quickly got up from the sofa.
"Sorry, my clothes got dirty last night, so I didn't change into pajamas."
Caroline shook her head and spoke softly, shyly.
"It's okay. We'll be together in the future anyway."
Just then, someone knocked on the door. James immediately walked over to open it.
Outside stood Iron Wolf, holding some clothes. When he saw James shirtless, his eyes lit up.
"Mr. Anderson, did you and Ms. Collins just have sex?"
James glared at him and grabbed the clothes from his arms.
"What are you thinking? Get out."
When James saw he was holding a server's uniform, he didn't care. After putting it on, he left the hotel with Caroline.