"Young Master Alexander, do you really intend to reject the invitation of the patriarch?"
"I'm not Alexander, my last name is Jake."
"But you still carry the bloodline of the Alexander family."
"The moment they cast my mother out of the Alexander house, I ceased to have any connection with that family."
Late afternoon in Elysian Echo City, on X-A13 Street, a luxurious black Bentley stood out amidst the bustling cityscape like a swan among ducks, drawing the eyes of passersby.
At a street food stand, a handsome young man was cleaning up his barbecue tools and cart.
An elderly man in black stepped out of the Bentley and bent over the food stand, seemingly pleading with the young man.
"Young Master, you know, what happened that year was out of necessity. Although it caused distress to the lady, you were never cast out... Over a year ago, when the old master was gravely ill, we spent a year searching for you, spending vast sums and utilizing numerous contacts. It was a tremendous effort to find you. Would you rather endure oppression in a minor family like the Millers, rather than returning to the Alexander house? You are now the sole heir of this generation's Alexander family..."
Theophilus replied indifferently: "The affairs of the Alexander family are none of my concern, and I wish not to hear of them. I hope you won't disturb my life in the future."
After cleaning up, he turned and walked away from X-A13 Street.
The old man in the suit watched Theophilus's departing figure but did not follow, only sighing deeply.
"The Alexander family, oh..."
As Theophilus left X-A13 Street, a cold smile crossed his face, and a sudden spark of realization appeared, as if recalling a long-forgotten memory.
The Alexander family was a renowned and powerful clan in Empyria, currently based in Radiant Harbor City. Many sought even the slightest connection with them, hoping to bask in their reflected glory.
But for Theophilus, the Alexander family was a thorn in his heart that he couldn't remove.
Theophilus was born into the Alexander family, the direct grandson of the old patriarch, a noble birthright. However, at the age of eight, his father Gideon Alexander, infatuated with another woman and embroiled in a battle for inheritance, divorced his mother Violet Jake to marry a lady from another prestigious family.
Although Violet Jake came from an ordinary family, she was a proud woman who refused any compensation from the Alexanders, leaving with nothing. Theophilus, unwilling to leave his mother and indifferent to the Alexanders' objections, left Radiant Harbor with her, disappearing from the Alexanders' sight. Since then, he and his mother had relied on each other for years.
Thus, he changed his last name to Jake after his mother.
A decade passed, and his mother died three years ago due to illness. He thought he would never have to recall these painful memories, but unexpectedly, the Alexanders had found him again?
Standing at the street corner and finishing his cigarette, Theophilus stopped pondering and hailed a taxi, heading towards the Miller family mansion.
Today was Jena Miller's wedding day. She was the daughter of the Miller family's patriarch, Victor Miller. Jena was marrying Dante Charlie, the prominent Young Master from the leading family in Elysian Echo City. The ceremony was grand, with all the business elites of Elysian Echo City invited, along with everyone from the Miller family.
Without his status as the Miller family's son-in-law, Theophilus would never have been able to set foot in the Miller family mansion.
Thirty minutes later, the taxi stopped outside the Miller family mansion.
In front of the mansion's opulent main gate, a girl in a light blue long dress, petite yet elegant and beautiful, blinked her eyes, looking at Theophilus indifferently.
This beauty was Theophilus's wife, Dulcie Miller.
Two years earlier, at the request of Mervyn Miller, the founder of the Miller Jewelry Corporation, Theophilus had married into the Miller family.
At that time, the event caused a stir in Elysian Echo City, with many mocking the senior Mr. Miller for his folly in marrying his daughter to a penniless orphan.
Dulcie was known throughout Elysian Echo City for her beauty, and many from prestigious families sought her hand.
Yet, she was married off to an ordinary man, a match deemed unworthy by many.
Only Theophilus and Mervyn knew the true reasons behind it…
A year after Mervyn's death, the secret remained with Theophilus alone.
Even his wife Dulcie had initially disagreed with the marriage and, though they eventually wed, they remained strangers to this day.
With Mervyn's passing, significant shifts occurred in the power dynamics of the Miller Jewelry Corporation. Theophilus's father-in-law was ousted from the company's center of influence, left without a share of the estate, his family's fortunes plummeting, forced to live under others' scrutiny within the Miller household.
Theophilus was seen as the cause of their downfall, lacking in wealth, status, and capability, an unworthy son-in-law for the Miller family.
Treated coldly in the Miller household, Theophilus became an object of disdain.
"Theophilus, lease speak less during the party." Dulcie said earnestly: "Today is crucial, I've brought a significant gift to ask for Jena's favor. Whether the factory managed by my father can survive this crisis depends on whether the Oldest Uncle agrees to help or not."
"I understand." Theophilus nodded.
Entering the Miller family mansion, they saw lavishly decorated villas, exquisite gardens, and water features, all part of the elder Miller's estate.
Rows of luxury cars were parked outside the grand hall, including Maseratis, Porsche 911s, Cayennes, and at the very least, Audis.
"Oh, Dulcie, did you drive here yourself? Why didn't you call me? I would have sent someone to pick you up. Today is such an important day, how can you show up like this? You can't afford to embarrass the Miller family."
A young man wearing sunglasses stepped out of a Porsche 91, removed his glasses, and looked at Dulcie and Theophilus thoughtfully.
Dulcie gently bit her lip, saying nothing.
Theophilus's father-in-law, Anselm Miller, from the previous generation of the Miller family, struggled to the point of poverty. Before he was ousted from the Miller Corporation by his siblings, he was only given a small jewelry manufacturing factory, nearly bankrupt, barely surviving for a year.
Given the family's financial situation, they couldn't afford to buy another car for Dulcie.
"Dulcie, tell me, initially I told you to divorce this useless guy and introduced you to Young Master Charlie. If you had listened to me, would you have ended up in this situation?" The man with sunglasses spoke more cheerfully, a smug look on his face, ignoring Theophilus's presence: "It's not too late now, if you want a luxurious life, just ask me. I can introduce you to another suitable match."
Speaking these words in front of her husband showed complete disregard for her honor!
"Orborne, have you said enough?" Dulcie coldly spoke, her face pale.
"Oh, as your brother, I'm just sympathetic to you, following such a useless man. I kindly advise you, show you a way, but you don’t listen, then you deserve this impoverished life!" Orborne replied casually.
After speaking, Orborne seemed not yet done, his face teasingly looking towards Theophilus.
"Theophilus, someone useless like you even dares to attend Jena's wedding? Orborne mocked: "Oh well, it's expected. I heard your father-in-law's factory finances have been cut off, can't even pay salaries, about to go bankrupt. You two must be here to flatter the Oldest uncle for a loan to get through this crisis?"
Theophilus just looked at Orborne, saying nothing.
Dulcie's father - Anselm was initially ousted from the Miller Corporation by Orborne's father -Eugene Miller, Miller's third uncle. Even the severe difficulties faced by the factory this time were due to Eugene's underhanded tactics.
Dulcie took a deep breath, holding back her anger, and said to Theophilus: "Bear with it, don't mind him. I came here today to deal with some matters."
Theophilus nodded, and the two turned to enter the grand hall of the mansion.
"Ah, let's see how long a useless guy like you can hold back." Orborne said, watching Theophilus's retreating figure, cracking his neck, his mouth curling into a mocking smile.
In the grand hall, which occupied an immense area, decorated in an elegant, ancient Eastern architectural style, a red carpet was laid out. The esteemed guests of the Miller family gradually took their seats. Dulcie, carrying an exquisite gift box, approached the bride, smiling said: "Jena, congratulations on your wedding, wishing you a lifetime of harmony." Jena's face was delicate, with fair skin and a beautiful appearance, her demeanor arrogant, but overall, compared to Dulcie, she still fell a bit short. She looked at Dulcie indifferently and said: "Put the gift over there." "Jena, I'll go with you for a while." Dulcie said with a smile. "No need. You don't have to fuss over me, I know what you're up to, and as for your father's matter, my family won't help." Jena replied coldly, without any consideration. The smile on Dulcie's face froze, replaced by an unmistakable look of dejection. She clenched her fists, her delicate body trembling slightly. Before marrying Theophilus,
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
“What does this person look like?” Magnus inquired. “A young man, about twenty years old." the secretary replied. “Let him in." Magnus said seriously, still puzzled: "A young man in his twenties?” Five minutes later, Theophilus was escorted by the secretary to the chairman's office on the sixtieth floor. Theophilus sat down with ease. The middle-aged man, exuding a commanding presence, observed him closely with a serious expression. “Who are you?” Magnus asked suspiciously, unable to fully gauge the young man before him. “Do you recognize this?” Theophilus presented a strikingly green Jade Amulet. The Jade Amulet Command bore intricate patterns, with the James family name prominently engraved in the center. “What is this?” Magnus was visibly startled as he beheld the Jade Amulet Command, his mind reeling. This was a Jade Amulet Command, symbolizing a status within the James family, of which only a few existed. Even as the family spokesperson, he didn’t possess one... He rec
Meanwhile, at another location. The Miller family’s jewelry corporation was in the X-Peak Building. The building, towering over twenty stories, bustled with activity. Employees hurried back and forth, their faces etched with urgency, as if a significant crisis had unfolded. On the twenty-third floor, in the conference room. The Miller family’s board of directors convened an emergency meeting. Around the large and long conference table sat over twenty people. All the influential and wealthy members of the Miller family in Elysian Echo City were present. “What’s going on? Why is the corporation suddenly in such chaos?” “Big brother, what happened? I was just playing golf, and after several urgent calls, I rushed back for this meeting. All our major clients have canceled their contracts with us.” “With the corporation in such turmoil, did we offend someone? Why else would our assets be frozen so suddenly?” The room buzzed with noisy discussions, the shareholders anxious and worr
Eugene's face turned extremely unsightly, not expecting the newly appointed chairman representative of the James Corporation in Empyria to be so authoritarian. “Mr. Joe, Orborne is ignorant of the rules, could you please consider my face…” Eugene pleaded. "Stop!" Leighton cut him off with a word, indicating Eugene to be silent. “Ten seconds." Leighton said with a smile, then his expression turned stern: "If you can’t do it, Eugene, you can resign. You need not come to the X-Peak Building for work tomorrow.” “All the jewelry stores under your name in shopping centers and all your factories will be thoroughly audited. With the professionalism of our James Corporation team, it will only take twenty-four hours to settle this.” As the primary secretary and trusted butler of the James Corporation in Empyria, Leighton's experience in business negotiations was exceptionally rich. There was hardly a major incident he hadn't faced. His sudden involvement had already overwhelmed the Miller
"Big brother and third brother have clearly had major issues managing the corporation for years. The James Corporation, with its financial clout, joining the corporation isn't necessarily bad, but it's a pity that the family legacy my father left behind has turned from a family enterprise into a public corporation." Anselm said slowly, his expression complex. He was holding a newspaper, which reported that the Miller Corporation's jewelry division was undergoing major restructuring, with Chairman Joe announcing a new direction for the corporation. "Ariel, you worry too much about things that don't concern you. Have you ever seen your father give you a second glance or hand over management of the corporation?" Ariel showed no sympathy for Anselm, slowly saying: "From now on, just focus on following the newly appointed Chairman Joe. The corporation is now treating all the smaller workshops fairly. You're still a nominal shareholder, and after so many years, you'll finally be able to at
The next morning. At Dulcie's request, Theophilus accompanied her to the company. They hailed a taxi and headed straight to the X-Peak building. Dulcie was extremely excited, as it was the first time her jewelry design was acknowledged. Moreover, it was personally responded to by the chairman of a major corporation! "I'm so nervous, this is the first time I'm talking to an important figure like the chairman." Dulcie said anxiously in the back seat: "I don't know what he will ask, I'm worried I'll say something wrong and they won't accept my design..." "Don't be too anxious, just express your ideas and thoughts to him." Theophilus advised. "If one day my own jewelry design is released and receives praise from the public at an exhibition, that would be so fulfilling!" Dulcie said, her eyes full of aspiration, dreaming of that achievement. Theophilus reassured her: "Don't worry, your design ideas will definitely be showcased." "Really? That's wonderful!" Dulcie's face brightened w
In the chairman's office. Leighton personally prepared two cups of coffee for Dulcie and Theophilus. This special attention made Dulcie feel both elated and nervous, secretly thinking that her jewelry design ideas had caught Chairman Joe's attention. "No need to be formal, please sit down." Leighton said, returning to his seat with a gentle expression: "The ‘King World’ design you created, I am very pleased with it. I see it as very high-class and skillful." “Thank you, Chairman Joe." Dulcie replied, then proactively introduced Theophilus: "The 'King World' piece was a joint design effort by Theophilus and me, this gentleman beside me." "Oh?" Leighton casually remarked: "This person is your husband, isn't he?" "Yes." Dulcie hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Leighton smiled and said: "The reason I invited you here is to let you know that your idea has been accepted by the board. The company will proceed to manufacture the final product, and I hope you will personally oversee t
"Open for me!"Theophilus's innate energy burst forth wildly, his sword qi continuously clearing the path ahead."Whoosh!"Three minutes later, Theophilus shook himself, darting through the hundred-meter path and out of the reach of the deathly qi, arriving outside the magic array."Finally made it out, the Divine Realm outside couldn't pass through that array; looks like they'll have to leave empty-handed this time."Theophilus chuckled softly.He looked up, and the scene before him resembled the Sword Washing Lake of the Jake family on Jake Wolves Mountain.It was an ancient mountain cave, with a precious sword embedded in the middle of a rock formation. Despite hundreds of years passing, one could still sense the sharp aura from it, next to the sword lay an ancient chest.Theophilus smoothly walked over to the stone platform, unimpeded by any magic formations.He reached out and grasped the long sword."Hum!"The sword seemed sentient, Theophilus could clearly feel its excitement.
Uncle Mark slowly emerged from the shadows. He wasn’t a Human Immortal who took the path of an assassin and had no intention of protecting Keagan, but now, unexpectedly, Keagan regarded him as a lifeline.“This time, we will not get involved!” Snow stepped forward and declared loudly.She was no longer as calm as before. In this Pineview Preparatory secret realm, it wasn’t uncommon for half-step Human Immortals to overpower full Human Immortals. There were always a few in every era, but not like Theophilus, who had Keagan begging for his life after just three moves.Seeing that the unfamiliar Human Immortal didn’t want to intervene, Keagan suddenly stepped back and said to Theophilus: “Theophilus, if you agree to forget our grudges, I am willing to recommend you to the Nichols family. With your talent, you will surely be valued by the Nichols family, and even Earthly Immortal is not far off!”“Ha!”Theophilus gave a cold laugh, stepped closer to Keagan, his sword qi enveloping him, re
Suddenly, everyone's view of Theophilus changed.If Theophilus really belonged to one of those families, then Mr. Perez and those who had surrounded him today were truly unlucky.Old man Perez's head also tingled; he had thought the young man before him was just a talent with some strength, but now it seemed not."Young man, your strength is indeed formidable, but we have been renowned for many years, and we do have our trump cards. Just swear you won't bother us, and the agreement we spoke of earlier will still hold!" Linus said darkly, speaking softly.Theophilus scoffed with disdain. Just moments ago, they had treated him like a mere annoyance, and now they wanted a truce—it was too late!"Give it your all!"Old man Perez shouted, his voice waves growing more intense.Linus and Latham also stirred the vital energy within them, staring intently at Theophilus.Theophilus smiled slightly, ready to make his move.Suddenly, he frowned and looked to the south."A master is coming from th
"Ha ha!"Theophilus scoffed, having already discerned the intentions of this group. They were all ruthless and cruel individuals. Although some had been half-stepping into the Human Immortal Realm for a while, their potential had nearly depleted, with no hope of breaking through to the Human Immortal Realm.He wasn't afraid of these people; moreover, he wanted to make a name for himself after this battle. Only then would he have a chance to connect with the truly powerful clans, and only through cultivating with those forces could he hope to break through to the Human Immortal Realm."With just you folks trying to defeat me?" Theophilus mocked."Young man, your strength is indeed impressive. Your sword energy could kill the wolf of the Wolf Lord. I might not stand a chance against you in a duel, but you're too arrogant. Do you really think you can defeat the four of us?" Ludwig said bluntly."One useless person multiplied by four still wants to gang up, huh?" Theophilus replied calmly
The person in front of him was clearly a woman disguised as a man, but her technique was terribly clumsy. Anyone who wasn't blind could see that she was a woman, and moreover, she wasn't very old.Theophilus looked at the person masquerading as a man with a serious gaze. Just now, he had felt a threat emanating from her.The strength of the woman before him hadn't yet surpassed the Late Divine Realm, but she could still make someone on the verge of breaking through to the Human Immortal Realm like him feel threatened."Tsk, tsk!"The woman in disguise looked at Theophilus and the others, then said regretfully: “Your strength is too weak; you definitely won't get anything good. Moreover, the Earthly Immortal treasure opens only once every fifty years, and it has already opened ten times now; there’s nothing good left.""Fifty years for one opening?" Dempsey exclaimed.The woman looked at the three men in surprise: "You don’t know? This Earthly Immortal treasure was discovered decades a
The mysterious elder appeared annoyed, thinking, was he considered a naive toddler? He had never encountered anyone from Meditation so young with such formidable power."Kid, you must understand, I am a guest of the Nichols royal family. You should think carefully before offending me; I might even know your elders!""Based on you alone?" Theophilus looked down disdainfully and said coldly: “The Nichols family invites guests as weak as you? Knowing my elders, are you worthy?"'What a coincidence!'Theophilus couldn't help but marvel internally, not expecting to encounter a guest of the Nichols family so soon after entering this secret realm."You..."The guest of the Nichols family, truly there because of his senior brother's connections, was enraged. If it weren't for having a senior brother in the Human Immortal Realm, the Nichols family wouldn't have bothered with him."Kid, since you refuse the wine I offered and prefer punishment, today I'll send you straight to heaven."The elder
Theophilus flew straight ahead, encountering beasts much larger than those in the outside world, perhaps because this place was at the edge of a mysterious realm, where the concentration of spiritual energy was four to five times higher than outside. Earlier, while flying, he had effortlessly dealt with a snake as thick as a water barrel coiled around a tree that attacked him."Cultivation here is much faster than in the outside world, and according to Malcolm, every major and minor family in this realm has its own sacred ground for cultivation, where the speed of cultivation is ten times faster than in the outside world.” he thought as he flew.About an hour later, Theophilus finally sensed people ahead—more precisely, four men chasing a man and a woman."Wilson, are you sure you want to attack us? Aren't you afraid of my family's Liles' retribution?" Dempsey Liles shouted as he shielded a young woman behind him, staring at Wilson not far away, his eyes filled with hatred. If it hadn
Rafael could not endure any longer; he collapsed to the ground, his voice trembling: "Young Master Alexander, it was my blindness that did not see the mountain; I didn’t know Maegan was your girlfriend, please forgive me this time, Sunset Valley Corporation will do everything possible to make amends to Young Master Alexander.""That's right."Uriah murmured, "The Lippman family is willing to do our utmost to compensate Young Master Alexander and Ms. Brown.""It's not that I can't give you a chance," Theophilus looked at them with a mocking gaze and said, "As long as you do one thing, I might forgive you!""Please state your conditions, Young Master Alexander!" Uriah gritted his teeth, ready to bleed if it meant Theophilus’s forgiveness."It’s simple, you must cancel the contract Maegan just signed, and write a new one without any conditions," Theophilus said calmly."That's no problem," Uriah hurriedly replied, thinking it was going to be a huge deal, only to find it was just this min
The relationship between Magnus and the head of the Radiant Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Isidore, was excellent. Normally, there were many things their company couldn't get past the Chamber of Commerce.Moreover, there were rumors that behind Magnus and Isidore stood another significant figure. No one in all of Empyria dared disrespect that person.The female star, still by his side, whispered softly, "Director Lippman, that Maegan girl really doesn't listen at all. Freeze her out for a while, teach her a good lesson! Can someone else play the lead in Maegan’s next movie?"After speaking, she hugged Uriah's arm and rubbed against it a few times.These past months, Maegan had become very famous, causing many in the entertainment industry to turn green with envy."Slap!"The female star had just finished speaking when Uriah pulled his hand away and slapped her hard."Director Lippman, why did you hit me?"The female star held her face and rolled on the bed, asking in disbelief."If you s