The Supreme Soldier in the City
Chapter 286 - 293: Blessed

Chapter 286: Chapter 293: Blessed

James Brown stood beside Sarah Utah, looking at the beautiful girl’s profile, and let out a soft sigh, saying, "Sarah, you’re really silly."

Sarah gently shook her head, her long hair beautifully swinging as she turned her shoulders, and gave James a radiant smile, saying, "I’m just a silly girl. But Big Brother Brown, don’t take it to heart, I was just too excited at that moment, it’s not definitive."

Despite her carefree words, Sarah’s eyes clearly held a glimmer of hope.

James knew Sarah didn’t want him to feel burdened. She was as kind as Emma Campbell, but bolder than Emma. They had a lot in common, yet were also very different, each with their own charm. The similarity was that they were both so likable.

But James really couldn’t accept Sarah now. Emmas Campbell and Melody Yoody had already made it difficult for him to choose, and he had just been with Helen Wilson a couple of days ago, which he hadn’t sorted out yet. Sarah was so kind-hearted, and he didn’t want her to get involved in this mess.

With a heavy heart, James said, "Sarah, thank you for liking me, but... I think it’s better if we stay friends."

Sarah’s complexion turned sullen in an instant. She forced a smile and replied, "Big Brother Brown, I understand. Haven’t we always been good friends?"

James felt a sting in his heart. Sarah had confessed her feelings openly, and now everyone in the company knew that she liked him. By rejecting her, he wondered how people in the company would view Sarah, certainly sparking lots of gossip.

This made James uncomfortable, but being soft-hearted now would only lead Sarah deeper into this situation. Pretending not to know about Sarah’s sadness, he smiled and said, "Yes, we’re the best of friends. You’re my close female confidante, and I’m your close male confidante."

Sarah nodded, remarking, "Yes, we are confidantes." But her heart felt sour, and she almost couldn’t hold back her tears from flowing again.

"Let’s go, I really don’t want to stay here any longer," James changed the subject.

With an "Ah," Sarah hurriedly followed James and quickly left the place. The Public Security Bureau, which should have been a reassuring place for the common people, now made Sarah feel repulsed.

As they exited the main entrance of the Public Security Bureau, Sarah finally breathed a sigh of relief. Waiting at the entrance were both Sunny Nguyen and Gina Lopez, while Helen Wilson had already left.

Gina Lopez said, "James Brown, you take my car. I have some things to tell you."

James was relieved; he really didn’t know how to face Sarah now. He offered Sarah an apologetic smile, and she immediately responded, "You should hurry along. Mr. Lopez will surely scold you for the trouble you’ve caused."

Sarah said this playfully, smiling at James. During their short walk, she had cleared her mind; she couldn’t put pressure on James, so she had already adjusted her mood. Besides, James had not yet agreed to her, which could only confirm his seriousness about love and that he wasn’t the fickle type—in fact, wasn’t that one of the reasons why she liked him?

James sighed in relief and just as he was about to sit in the front passenger seat, Gina bade him, "Sit in the back."

James pulled open the rear door and sat down, and in Gina’s car at the time was another person—Lucy Campbell.

James knew Lucy was in the car because there were several skilled individuals following close by, either visibly or hidden, which indicated Lucy’s presence.

"Thank you for getting me out," James said with a thank you that lacked any real sincerity in his expression.

Lucy chuckled lightly, saying, "The trouble was caused by both of us, so of course I couldn’t let you bear it alone. Besides, that Christopher Taylor had crossed the line; having such an official in power can cause more harm than any ordinary person."

"Heh, it’s your influence that’s big, even calling the Mayor here."

"In his jurisdiction, having such an official, he can’t shirk the responsibility."

James pulled out a cigarette, and Gina Lopez immediately frowned, saying, "In the car, could you not smoke? Mr. Smith is here."

Lucy laughed softly, saying, "I gave him those cigarettes, let him smoke."

With nothing more to say, Gina looked back at James through the rearview mirror, while James, pretending not to notice, lit up a cigarette and said, "Now that Christopher Taylor will definitely have a hard time."

Lucy mentioned, "You could have called Mike Storm yourself and it would have been the same; he definitely would have come."

With his identity now as the cousin of Lucy, not everyone knew, but the two bigshots of YODC City—the Mayor and Town Chief—were well aware. So, James just needed to give them a heads up, and they would certainly do him the courtesy.

"Forget it. If I had to look for them myself, then I would get peace afterward. Besides, this identity of mine is fake; it would be embarrassing if it was uncovered, so it’s better to keep a low profile."

"Then, it’s up to you," Lucy said. "Today, Mike Storm went in without revealing your identity, after all."

"Right! But should I invite him for a meal later?"

Immediately, Gina Lopez said, "I think you should. The Mayor personally came for your matter; naturally, you should invite him."

Lucy Campbell chuckled: "No need for that, I think he should be the one inviting us to dinner."

As soon as the words left Lucy Campbell’s mouth, her cellphone rang. She checked the number and laughed: "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear."

Answering the call, it indeed was Christopher Brown calling, continuously apologizing to Lana Smith and inviting Lucy Campbell and James Brown to dinner.

Lucy Campbell didn’t agree right away but turned to ask, "Cousin, what do you think?"

James Brown knew that Lucy was intentionally saying this for Christopher Brown to hear and felt helpless, replying, "Let’s go then, Secretary Johnson did do me a favor."

Only then did Lucy say into the phone, "Secretary Johnson, please arrange it. Also, Mr. Lopez will join us."

After these arrangements, Gina Lopez sent Lucy Campbell home, while she and James Brown were heading back to the office. James Brown had been taken away that day, and if he didn’t show up at the office soon, there would undoubtedly be rampant gossip, preventing everyone from focusing on their work.

This time, James Brown sat in the passenger’s seat, but Gina Lopez’s expression was not too pleasant. Leaving the residential complex, she couldn’t help but say irritably to James Brown: "Wow, Sarah publicly confessed her love to you, now you really have become a celebrity in the company."

James Brown knew that Gina would bring this up and sighed, "It’s really a headache. I didn’t expect Sarah to do this. In front of so many people, her confession to me would make everyone in the company think I should accept her. If I don’t, Sarah will certainly become the laughingstock at the office."

Gina huffed and said, "So, you mean you should accept her?"

"Of course not. What would happen to Emma if I did?"

Gina huffed again, "Didn’t you say you’re afraid that Sarah would become the company’s laughingstock?"

James Brown frustratedly lit a cigarette, saying, "Being a man with too much female attention can also be a headache."

"Get lost. Stop daydreaming there." Gina scolded him and added, "Anyway, you better handle this properly, or it’s never over between us."

"Isn’t this my personal affair? Mr. Lopez, why won’t you let it drop with me?" James knowingly asked.

Gina turned her head glaring at James, "Are you playing dumb with me?"

James chuckled dryly, "I’m not playing dumb. Gina, just let it be."

Gina looked at James, who was making a pitiful face, and with a tilt of her chin she said, "Don’t even think about it. Unless you’re married, I will never give up. And even if you are married, I still won’t. There’s such a thing as divorce, you know."

James immediately widened his eyes, exclaiming, "You can’t be serious?"

Gina looked even more smug and affirmed, "I am! Once I, Gina Lopez, have decided on something, I won’t change it. In this lifetime, whether you want to marry me or not, you’re going to marry me."

"Nobody’s as domineering as you."

"That’s right. I am that domineering. You’d better just accept your fate. And about Emma Campbell, Sarah, and even Melody Yoody, the Township Chief, you’d better cut ties with them early, to avoid leading them on."

Gina didn’t bring up Sunny Nguyen’s name. While she viewed others as rivals or enemies, she unconsciously saw Sunny as an ally.

Thinking of Sunny, Gina smiled and teased, "By the way, I can tell you that if you obediently get together with me, I’ll definitely give you a huge benefit later, a benefit that will excite you just by thinking about it."

"There’s a benefit? Can I hear a hint about it first, so I can consider it?" James suddenly seemed interested.

Seeing James’s lewd smile, Gina narrowed her eyes fiercely and said, "Don’t get any wrong ideas. The benefit I’m talking about isn’t Sandra."

James chuckled dryly, having indeed thought of Emily Lopez at that moment. The twins... just the thought of it made saliva drool, but Gina quickly squashed that hope, declaring righteously, "How could I possibly have such dirty thoughts? You’re the one thinking the wrong way."

"Humph, whoever has the wrong idea knows it best," Gina said as she rolled her eyes at James, then smiled again, "I guarantee that once you know what the benefit is, you won’t regret it."

"Then just tell me, if you don’t say it, how would I know whether it will tempt me?"

"Can’t tell you now; only if you really are going to marry me will I tell you."

James leaned back and said, "Then let’s just forget it. I can’t give up on Emma just for that."

Gina suddenly felt frustrated, almost blurting out the benefit impulsively, but she held back. To tie James down with such a benefit would mean Gina Lopez had already lost.