Revenge is Best Served After Reborn (James) novel Chapter 1555

Sophie listened intently as Caelum delved into the stories of his past.

Caelum began, “When I was younger, I was all about taking risks and throwing caution to the wind. It's funny, that impulsive attitude is what helped me establish myself overseas. Over twenty years ago, a business failure led me into the orbit of The Silent Shadows. They took me under their wing, and with their help, I climbed back up, even stronger than before. I got lost in the pursuit of power and status. It was only later that I learned my business woes were orchestrated by The Silent Shadows to lure me in.”

“Caelum, you mentioned you were a core member of The Silent Shadows back then. What about now? Are you still involved?” Sophie asked.

Caelum shook his head, replying, “After Sandy’s mother passed away, I wanted nothing more than to break free from The Silent Shadows. I realized they weren’t the key to success but a trap for entrepreneurs. As a core member, my role was mostly to provide certain conveniences because of the agreement I had with them. They pulled me out of a mess and helped the Pollard family dominate overseas. In return, I had to offer them some benefits. I thought that was the extent of our dealings. Regarding the black market... Sophie, I won’t hide it from you, there are quite a few black markets abroad. I often turned a blind eye, simply choosing not to ask questions.”

Caelum's eyes clouded with memories of those dark days. “The first time I attended one of those dinners, I was taken aback. The Pollard family was quite influential overseas, and I thought I'd seen it all. But those dinners, filled with desire and darkness, really got to me.”

Reflecting on his past decisions, Caelum continued, “If I hadn’t gotten involved with The Silent Shadows, none of this would have happened. Sandy’s mother would still be alive.”

Gently, Sophie inquired, “How exactly did Sandy’s mother die?”