Chapter 3: Forced Divorce!

Dulcie's home was in the Groundswell apartment complex, a building ten years old, showing its simple and worn appearance.

It didn’t quite fit the status of someone from the Miller family of Elysian Echo City.

Upon reaching home, Theophilus's in-laws, Anselm and Ariel, were sitting on the sofa with serious expressions.

"Hmph!" Ariel scoffed: "Theophilus, you still have the face to come back to this house?"

"We already know what happened at the wedding today. Theophilus, you really are unlucky! You ruined everything that was going well!" Ariel stood up and scolded loudly.

"Forget it, mom, stop it. It’s not Theophilus's fault. The Oldest uncle had no intention of helping us." Dulcie intervened.

Upon hearing this, Ariel grew even more furious, angrily saying: "This foolish girl, you're still defending him? Hasn't he harmed you enough? Without him, wouldn't you be suffering in poverty right now? You should have married into a powerful family!"

"Mom, why do you always want to rely on others? Can't we depend on ourselves?" Dulcie said.

"Rely on ourselves? Fine, you talk well." Ariel bitterly laughed, looking at Anselm with dissatisfaction: "Our daughter struggles because of you, endures so much hardship, and what about you? What can you do?"

Anselm took a deep breath, his face filled with sorrow.

Theophilus had anticipated the tense atmosphere at home and silently went into the kitchen.

…

"Let's eat."

After Theophilus finished cooking, he set the table, and the family sat around in silence.

"Theophilus, you heard what Jena said today…" Ariel looked at Theophilus seriously.

"Mom!" Dulcie put down her chopsticks: "I won't divorce Theophilus because of others' coercion."

"What? Do you like him?" Ariel glared at her daughter: "Don't you know the state of your father's factory? Months behind in workers' wages, on the brink of bankruptcy? Will we all end up living in the wind?"

"And more, do you think this is simple? Theophilus offended Jena and her husband, even hit Orborne." Ariel angrily said: "They will take their anger out on our family! Divorce is the best option now, don't let this useless man drag us down anymore!"

Dulcie bit her lip, saying nothing.

Seeing her daughter's reaction, Ariel sternly said: "Anselm, why are you still sitting there? Advise your daughter!"

Anselm's face was resigned, he too remained silent.

Theophilus finished a small bowl of rice, cleared the table, and returned to his room.

He crossed his legs, sitting on the bed.

Meditating had been his habit for over a decade, regardless of the outside world's circumstances – whether it was windy or sunny. His heart remained unshaken.

He imagined himself as a bowl of water with magical properties, clear and untainted, worldly matters being like dirt in the water, which eventually would settle at the bottom.

After about seven minutes, Theophilus suddenly reached for a black pebble at the head of the bed, his fingers trembling slightly. In a single breath, the pebble turned to dust, falling through the gaps of his fingers...

"Internal energy has successfully condensed." Theophilus whispered, excitement in his eyes.

His master had once said, only when he had cultivated internal energy could he be considered a true successor of Mysterious Royal-X.

Only then could he leave the mountains, carrying the Jade Amulet Command to Radiant Harbor to find the James family. With this, he could freely control precious medicines, wealth, and manpower. The path of martial arts was boundless; only after achieving internal power could he connect with people from the ancient martial arts world, seeking higher achievements and pursuing the pinnacle of life.

Mysterious Royal-X had numerous enemies; revealing anything before this moment would have endangered his life!

"Internal energy has condensed; finally, I can leave the mountain." In Theophilus's hand was a bright green Jade Amulet Command, a sharp glint in his eyes.

…

The next day.

As Theophilus stepped out of the Groundswell apartment complex, he was intercepted by a black Bentley.

"Does your father have to show up before you're willing to discuss the affairs of the Alexander family?"

A middle-aged man in dark blue attire stepped out of the car, his face expressionless as he looked at Theophilus. He had a robust physique, a sharply defined face with a straight nose and bright, lively eyes, exuding an air of extreme authority and presence.

There was a striking resemblance between his features and those of Theophilus.

"Huh, I didn't expect you to come to me personally." Theophilus said with a cold laugh.

Despite the years of separation, he recognized the man before him – his biological father, Gideon Alexander.

"I know you don't want to see me, and that's fine. But are you even unwilling to meet your grandfather for the last time?" Gideon said.

Theophilus was silent for a moment. In the Alexander family, only his grandfather had treated him kindly. He still remembered his grandfather's benevolent face from his childhood years.

"Let's find a place to talk." Gideon continued.

…

Thirty minutes later, at a hotel, on the 26th floor.

In a large conference room, only Gideon and Theophilus sat facing each other.

"Your grandfather has been bedridden with a serious illness for two years now, his health deteriorating day by day. Even in his sickbed, he always talks about you, wanting to see you." Gideon spoke slowly: "Your oldest uncle and third uncle have only daughters, all married off. You are the only one left in the next generation of the Alexander family."

"The only heir to the Alexander family..." Theophilus sneered sarcastically: "So, you want me to be your pawn in the battle for the family fortune?"

"You're oversimplifying things." Gideon said coldly: "Our Alexander family has a vast fortune and an ancient martial arts lineage with many branches. According to our rules, if there is no successor in the third generation after the head of the family passes away, another branch will take over. Then, our branch of the Alexander family will lose its leadership!"

"And how does that concern me?" Theophilus replied indifferently.

"Your grandfather has been seriously ill for years now, and your uncles' branches have begun to vie for control of the family power. They have already schemed in this regard. Do you really want to act impulsively and let the lifetime achievements of your grandfather be usurped, even disturbing his peace in his last moments?" Gideon questioned, his tone one of bitter disappointment.

Theophilus frowned slightly and let out a cold laugh.

He knew all too well what kind of person Gideon was – someone who would stop at nothing for power, completely disregarding familial affection.

If it weren't for his grandfather's severe illness and his shaky position in the Alexander family, why would the second prince of the Alexanders lower himself to come to Elysian Echo City to find him?

"Theophilus, do you really want to spend your life in this small Miller house, being humiliated by others?" Gideon spoke slowly, clearly having investigated Theophilus's living conditions after finding him.

"Yesterday, at the Miller family wedding, you had to endure such humiliation, even lacking the strength to retaliate." Gideon said: "Don't you want to take control for yourself? Don't you want to take revenge on them?"

"Just agree, and you will be able to make everyone in the Miller family kneel before you!" Gideon led the conversation step by step.

Theophilus shook his head, showing no expression.

Gideon, coldly, said: "You're still young, don't let a moment of anger bury a lifetime of wealth and glory. You haven't yet savored the flavor of power. Wait until you make each member of the Miller family kneel before you, then you'll understand how exhilarating it feels!"

"I know you hate me, and you can hate me for your entire life, refusing to acknowledge me as your father." Gideon spoke solemnly: "What you need to do is return to the Alexander house, acknowledge your grandfather, and then claim what rightfully belongs to you from the Alexander family. Do what you wish with it, and that will be enough. Such a simple condition, a chance to rise to the top – can you really refuse it?"

Theophilus calmly replied: "I don't need your help."

Gideon frowned, taking a deep breath: "In the past, I was wrong to you and your mother, that's undeniable. But if you were in my position, you'd do the same. A man can lose everything, but the power in his hands is irreplaceable!"

"Oh…" Theophilus shook his head, realizing even now Gideon had no remorse, no guilt.

Gideon still believed he was right. It was to be expected; people like him had no emotions, only a vision for power.

"I'll choose when to visit grandfather, but the affairs of the Alexander family are none of my concern." Theophilus said coldly, standing up to leave.

"Son!" Gideon's sharp gaze followed Theophilus.

"Go then. I've told you the conditions, and I will wait for you. I believe you'll come back to beg me." Gideon said nonchalantly, still confident.

He was fully aware of Theophilus's current situation and didn't believe Theophilus could refuse his offer.

A useless son-in-law for two years, how could he easily refuse such a chance to rise to greatness? Who wouldn't want to be better than others?

"Hmph, then wait at your leisure."

Theophilus coldly smiled, not looking back as he walked out of the hotel.

...

In Inferno Fang, Elysian Echo City, at the James Corporation building.

The building, with over seventy floors, stood imposingly in the city's center.

This was the busiest area in Elysian Echo City, with the James Corporation building being a landmark.

A few years ago, the James Corporation's move to Elysian Echo City had shaken all of Empyria. It was the enterprise of the James family, the largest in Empyria, yet they chose a smaller dwelling than their previous one.

Theophilus approached the building and entered the reception hall.

"Hello, sir, may I ask who you are looking for?" A polite receptionist inquired.

"I'm here to see the chairman, Magnus James." Theophilus said nonchalantly.

"You're here for Chairman James? Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked.

This young man, dressed in ordinary clothes, didn't seem like someone who could meet with the chairman.

Chairman Magnus, the spokesperson for the James family, was immensely powerful and wealthy. Not many in Elysian Echo City were deemed worthy of speaking with him.

Theophilus said: "Tell him I am a friend of Conal James.”

“Alright, please wait a moment." the receptionist hesitated before making a call. She had never heard of a Conal James at the James Corporation.

In the imposing office of the chairman, a middle-aged, dignified man was handling corporate documents.

Knock, knock!

“Come in.”

A young secretary stepped in respectfully and said: "Mr. Chairman, someone at the reception is looking for you.”

“The reception? I don’t have any appointments today, do I?” The middle-aged man frowned, speaking with authority: "I don’t need to be informed about every person who comes looking for me, understand?”

“This is...” The secretary hesitated: "The person says they are a friend of Conal James. I thought it might be a family member, so I came to report.”

Conal James!

The chairman's expression froze, then he frowned. Conal was the head of the James family and also his grandfather's name.

It was known that only the main branch of the James family was aware of the grandfather’s full name, and no one dared to use it. In a small city like Elysian Echo, how could someone know his grandfather's name and come looking for him?