When Cai saw Jason Carter holding Julia's hand — and even speaking down to him — he nearly exploded.
Caleb's expression turned cold. He narrowed his eyes and sneered:
"Mr. Carter, before you act so arrogantly, why don't you investigate who you're dealing with in Savannah?"
"And let me clarify — that group of ingrates acted on their own. My son didn't tell them to injure anyone. If this goes to court, you might not win."
"Are you really going to make an enemy of the entire family… over a woman? A strong dragon shouldn't crush a local snake. That isn't wise."
"Let me spell it out for you: offend me, and you'll shed a layer of skin. You won't have an easy time doing business in this city."
"But if you step back and make friends, we can both profit. Why not take the pragmatic road?"
Jason laughed — an amused, cutting sound.
"I'll shed a layer of skin? Try it. I'd love to see if you're capable."
"Trouble in Savannah? You think too highly of yourself. Your so-called 'family business' barely touches a billion. You're just a glorified small-time owner. Not even enough to call a real family."
He didn't bother wasting another second on them.
Even before Jason finished speaking, Olivia — always perceptive — signaled the bodyguards.
Two large men stepped forward immediately, putting themselves between Jason and Julia, and the father and son. They pushed Caleb and his son back sharply, pinning them into a corner of the hallway.
Cai roared, "Fine! No mediation? No problem! Jason Carter, just you wait — we'll see who wins in the end!"
Jason didn't even look at him.
Julia did. But not at Cai.
Her eyes were fixed on Jason, full of warmth and emotion. Everything Cai said faded into background noise for her.
Realizing she had been staring for too long, she startled slightly and lowered her gaze, cheeks pink.
If Jason had not flown her across states in a private jet the moment she needed help…If he had not sat quietly beside her for hours while she waited for her mother's surgery…If he had not shielded her from every ugly thing today with no complaints…
How could she not feel safe with him?
Julia: Favorability +1.
Cai saw that look — that soft, warm, dependent gaze Julia gave Jason — and his jealousy nearly drove him mad.
It was mocking.It was humiliating.Jason was using him as a stepping stone… and succeeding perfectly.
Unable to bear watching them any longer, Cai spat, "Dad, forget it. Let's go. I'm done talking. We'll see who's scared of who in court."
Caleb glared at him.
"We're not scared of him — but if this goes to court, it becomes complicated. If you end up with a conviction on your record, your whole future is stained. If this can be settled out of court, we must try."
He pulled out his phone, preparing to call every connection he had in Savannah.
But before he could dial—
Footsteps rushed up the stairwell.
Robert appeared, slightly out of breath. The moment he saw Jason, he walked directly toward him, completely ignoring Caleb and his son.
Seeing this, Cai's expression twisted.
"Robert," he snapped, "you'd better not meddle where you shouldn't."
Robert smiled lightly."I'm not meddling. Just helping Mr. Carter handle a few minor matters."
He didn't even look at Cai as he walked straight to Jason's side, leaning close to report in a low voice.He had already made up his mind—following Jason Carter was the right choice. Offending Cai was nothing. Hesitation now would be the real stupidity.
Just then, the elevator doors slid open again.
Cai and Caleb froze.
The man leading the group… they recognized him instantly.
Derrick Dunn, owner of Skyline Pulse Entertainment Group in Savannah.
Why was he here?
But they watched—in disbelief—as Derrick Dunn walked directly toward Jason Carter, greeting him with both hands and a warm smile. He even carried a stack of gift bags, clearly here to visit Julia's parents.
Cai and Caleb were stunned.
Jason Carter… had connections in Savannah?
Before they could recover, the elevator opened again.
This time, a bald, broad-shouldered middle-aged man came out carrying an armful of expensive gifts.
Cai's eyelids twitched violently.
Malcolm Kline, Chairman of AmeriTrans Logistics, an international freight company.Compared to Derrick Dunn, Malcolm Kline was on an entirely different level—almost untouchable locally.
But—
Malcolm strode straight toward Jason Carter with familiarity and sincerity, like greeting an old friend. After a quick exchange, he too went to visit Julia's parents with gifts.
"Impossible…" Cai muttered, voice trembling.
But reality didn't care about his disbelief.
Again, the elevator opened.
And another.And another.
One after another, well-known business owners in Savannah emerged:
Leo Shepard — Shepard Bistro GroupGavin— Starlight Creative StudiosTerry Ng — FutureGrid Energy SolutionsWayne Harker — Riverstone Finance
Each one walked respectfully to Jason Carter.
Each one carried gifts to visit Julia's parents.
Each one treated Jason like someone they needed to know.
Cai and his father were turning pale by the second.They could handle any one of these men… individually.But all of them together?
This was frightening.
What they didn't know was that all these men were members of the Club.
Malcolm Kline had personally benefited and built connections through Jason before. The moment he heard Jason was in town, he came running.
And when the rest of the Club heard that Jason Carter—the Jason Carter—was in Savannah, they all rushed here to get acquainted.
Just as Cai and Caleb's nerves reached breaking point—
The elevator opened again.
A man in a dark, formal American-style tunic suit stepped out, followed by a young assistant.
The moment Cai saw him, he felt his scalp go numb.
Deputy District Chief Franklin of Savannah's East District.
"Why… why would he be here?" Caleb whispered.
Surely this one wasn't Jason's connection?
But then they watched—as if in a nightmare—as Deputy Chief Franklin walked straight up to Jason Carter, smiling politely but respectfully.
Cai desperately grasped for an explanation.
"No… no way. He's just visiting because the case got big online. That's all. That must be it…"
But then—Deputy Chief Franklin leaned in close to Jason's ear and whispered something.
They couldn't hear the words.But they saw the unmistakable closeness — the familiarity — the respect.
Their hearts sank.
What they didn't know was that Franklin had said:
"Jason, when you return, please send my regards to Professor William for me."
William was currently the Vice President of University… but in the past, he had taught countless local officials. Franklin was one of his students.
And it still wasn't over.
The elevator chimed again.
This time, another middle-aged man in a tunic suit came out.
Caleb instantly recognized him.
Director of the Savannah Civil Affairs Bureau.
He also walked directly to Jason Carter with the attitude of someone greeting a powerful figure, not a student.
After a polite conversation, he leaned toward Jason and whispered:
"Principal heard about what happened to Julia and is deeply concerned…"
Cai and his father were completely numb.
Their faces had gone chalk white.
This wasn't a strong dragon who accidentally came to their territory.
This was a strong dragon whose roots reached into Savannah…whose influence spilled over into Savannah…and whose connections were so deep they could absolutely crush the so-called "local snakes."
Now they finally understood—
Jason Carter was not someone they could threaten.
He was someone who could decide their family's fate with a sentence.
And that realization chilled them to the bone.
There are 150 chapters ahead in my Patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
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