James smiled bitterly. “The Cadens will tear me to pieces.”

Maxine said, “You have no choice but to suffer the wrath of the Cadens. Otherwise, you’ll be pursued by the other three families. You’re still a Caden, after all. I don’t think grandpa will kill you until he gets the painting back. As for the next move, I’ll leave the decision to you.”

James shook his head.

It would not work. He was too weak.

Not only that, he was the trigger of this standoff.

If he had not executed the Empero