The Supreme Soldier in the City
Chapter 353 - 360 Provoked a Powerful Enemy

Chapter 353: Chapter 360 Provoked a Powerful Enemy

After working for a while, James Brown needed to do some work in the office, so he went directly up the stairs. When he reached the sixth floor, he saw Gina Lopez standing in front of the elevator with the man from before.

Gina, with a smile on her face, said, "Robert Johnson, I won’t see you out."

Robert Johnson, the man in question, also had a gracious smile as he replied, "Then I’ll take my leave. When you’re not busy, you really must give me the honor of your time. Otherwise, my cousin back home will certainly give me a hard time."

By this time, Gina had already noticed James coming up, and she felt an inexplicable panic, her smile receding quite a bit as she said, "Okay, that’s it for today then."

Robert Johnson also noticed the change in Gina’s expression, glanced at James, then turned back to shake Gina’s hand before entering the elevator.

"He’s a cousin of a college classmate of mine and works at a large company. He came to talk business with us this time." Gina, seeing James approaching, instinctively explained in a soft voice. However, once she spoke, she felt somewhat uncomfortable—why did she need to explain to James? She hadn’t done anything wrong.

James cracked a smile and said, "I have some things to do in the office, Mr. Lopez is busy."

At this moment, Gina heard footsteps coming up the stairs, so she promptly straightened her posture, nodded, and headed back to her office in her high heels.

James didn’t pay much attention to Robert Johnson either. If he was interested in Gina, it was because of Gina’s charm. For a beautiful woman like Gina, It would be abnormal if she didn’t have any suitors.

Just as he descended the stairs, James’s phone rang – a call from Melody Yoody, which he promptly answered.

"Come to me right now."

"You’re back? What happened? What’s the rush?" James was surprised and asked three questions in one go.

"If you don’t come now, I’ll leave with someone else. Right now, there’s a tall, rich, and handsome guy asking me out."

James chuckled and said, "Well, that’s not bad. Quite unlike me—a short, poor, and rough guy."

"Cut the crap, I’m giving you half an hour to come over, otherwise, I’ll go to your company and find you."

After saying that, Melody hung up the phone.

In less than half an hour, James had already arrived at the L-Region government office. Having accompanied Gina here a few times, he was familiar with the place and went straight to Melody’s office door.

Even though she was only a Mayor, the L-Region was a large sector within YODC City, governing dozens of villages with a rather developed economy. Thus, the government building was quite impressive, and Melody’s office was also very spacious, although the decor inside was not extravagant.

The office door was open. Melody was sitting behind her desk, and opposite her sat a man in his thirties. He was wearing a beige shirt, light gray trousers, and his leather shoes were so shiny they reflected light. He had a slicked-back hairstyle, with hair so greasy it shone.

At this moment, the man had both hands on the desk and his back to the door, so James couldn’t see his face clearly.

"Melody, where shall we go for lunch later? You decide. No matter how far it is, I’ll take you there."

Melody looked down at the documents on the desk and said indifferently, "I’m not hungry."

"Even if you’re not hungry, you still need to have lunch, otherwise how will you have the energy to work in the afternoon?"

Melody didn’t reply this time, clearly very impatient.

"Melody, I know you don’t feel anything for me yet, but feelings can be developed. Uncle and Auntie both approve of us, and I really like you. Why not spend some time with me, so our feelings can grow?"

Melody, without raising her head, said, "Sorry, Young Master Woods, I will be the one getting married, not my parents. If my parents like you, let them figure it out. I will not marry you, so you might as well give up that notion."

"Melody, how can you say that? Our W Region and your Yawk Family are good friends and our grandfathers shared a deep bond. Our union would bring our two families closer together, strengthening both our houses, making it easier for you in your political career."

"Where I, Melody Yoody, end up on my own terms is my own business. I disdain to climb the ranks by such relationships." Finally, Melody raised her head, but upon seeing James at the door, she quickly stood up and said, "Sorry, my boyfriend has come to pick me up. Young Master Woods, please make yourself at home."

Melody walked around the desk and came directly beside James, holding his arm and gently shaking it twice as she chided, "Why did it take you so long?"

James Brown chuckled, "You asked me to be here within half an hour, and I practically flew over."

With a pout, Melody Yoody said, "Consider yourself wise. If you were any later, I might not even bother with you anymore."

At this moment, Melody Yoody lacked her usual authority and steadiness that came with her position as Mayor. She was like a young girl who had fallen head over heels in love, her smile radiantly beautiful.

"Melody Yoody, who is this?" The man from before suddenly stood up, glaring at James Brown with a predatory look.

With a tilt of her chin, Melody Yoody said, "Didn’t I tell you? This is my boyfriend."

"Your boyfriend?" The guy with the last name Wilson gave James Brown a once-over and said coldly, "I don’t care who you are, but let me warn you. You better stay away from Melody, or you’ll regret it."

James Brown also sized up the man. He appeared to be in his late twenties, with very fair skin and a somewhat gaunt face, yet there was a hint of handsomeness about him. However, his eyes slanted upwards, giving him a smug look that made him instantly off-putting.

But James Brown couldn’t be bothered with such a person; that single sentence earlier had already earned him a terrible impression from Melody Yoody, sending him straight to the eighteenth level of hell.

"Melody, let’s go. Let’s eat something together."

"Okay!" Melody Yoody agreed without giving the Wilson guy another glance, taking James Brown’s arm and heading out.

"Melody Yoody, you stop right there!" a roar came from behind them, belonging to that Wilson guy.

Melody Yoody stopped in her tracks, turned around to look at him, and the Wilson guy immediately shouted with fury, "You’d better be clear about this, Melody. Your grandparents and your parents have all agreed to our engagement arrangement, and we’re supposed to be betrothed in the next few days. You’re a woman of the Woods family, so comport yourself with some dignity. Don’t force me to complain about you to your family."

Melody Yoody’s expression darkened as she said, "Young Master Woods, if you want to complain, go ahead. And I’ll repeat myself: I will neither get engaged to you, nor will I marry you. Also, it would be best if you don’t start anything with my boyfriend, or I, Melody Yoody, will certainly make you regret it."

"Have you really thought this through?" The guy from the Woods family glared at her with a dark expression.

"There’s nothing to think about." Melody Yoody’s response was exceedingly straightforward.

"Fine, fine. Since you treat me this way, you’re slapping the face of the Woods family. You’ll know what regret is when the time comes. I’ll make you beg to marry me, ha ha..." After laughing maniacally, the Wilson guy gave James Brown a fierce glare and said, "The women of Michael Wilson aren’t for just anyone to touch. You better live long because this woman won’t be able to protect you."

After saying that, the Wilson guy strode away with a boastful gait.

Once she was in James Brown’s car, Melody Yoody, somewhat annoyed, said, "I really shouldn’t have asked you to come today."

"What’s wrong?" asked James Brown as he started the car.

"Sigh, that guy just now is Michael Wilson from the Woods family. In our SSUP, there are eight major families."

"There are eight major families in our SSUP?" James Brown interjected with a smile. Over the years in the Capital of SSUP, he had brushed shoulders with high-ranking individuals and knew about the many powerful family forces within the SSUP Country. These families were not separate from the government; quite the contrary, many members of their families hold positions within the Political Circle, even high offices. Take Lucy Campbell, for instance; she is from the Sanker Family, the top family in SSUP Country, hence her powerful background. However, James Brown wasn’t too familiar with the local families at the provincial level.

The Family Region forces were embroiled in constant struggle, clinging to and leveraging each other. They weren’t like the underworld, engaged in overt violence, but when they did clash, it was far more dangerous than any gangland warfare. A single defeat could potentially lead to the utter downfall of an entire family.

"Of course, there are! The Yawk Family is one of these H State Families. I know this very well. However, our Yawk Family is definitely the weakest among them. Besides, my parents are from a side branch and don’t hold much status within the family. The Woods family, where Michael Wilson comes from, ranks fourth among the H State Families. Their strength is much greater than that of our family, and most importantly, he belongs to the main line of the Woods family. If we offend him, we’re bound to run into a lot of trouble."

As James Brown drove, he squinted his eyes and asked, "Then why did you provoke him just now?"

"Even if I did provoke him, he can’t do anything to me. Even as a side branch, the Yawk Family won’t let someone bully us. Most importantly, if the Woods family makes a move against the Yawk Family, it’s certain that others will take the opportunity to trouble them. Not to mention, these eight major families in SSUP have always maintained a very delicate balance that no one dares to break easily."

"Oh, so what are you worried about then?"

"I’m worried about you. What if that guy targets you? What would we do then?" Melody Yoody said this with her eyebrows knitted tightly, truly regretting her impulsive actions from earlier.

James Brown replied with a nonchalant smile, "So what? What’s done is done. Worry won’t help. We’ll just deal with things as they come."

"Hey! Weren’t you the least bit surprised when you heard about the eight major families?" Melody Yoody suddenly felt like she couldn’t quite recognize James Brown anymore. He seemed far too composed now.