Meanwhile, Bella Kennedy sat on a train bound for New York City.
Beside her was a reluctant Asa.
Shirley Taylor hadn't come. Just like before, she chose to trust James.
As long as she didn't see anything with her own eyes, then nothing had happened.
And if she did see something... well, she wouldn't know what to do.
"Seriously, you don't even know where he lives. How are you going to find him just by rushing over there?" Asa asked, exasperated.
"I had someone look into it. We have the video of the villa. We can start there," Bella Kennedy replied calmly, gazing at the scenery flashing by outside the window.
"Sigh, I don't get it. Are you the one dating him, or is Shirley?" Asa's mood wasn't great after her livestream was interrupted, and her words came out a bit sharper than intended.
"She's not worried, so why are you?"
Bella Kennedy paused for a moment, reflecting.
If at first she was just trying to protect Shirley from being deceived, what was the point now, when Shirley was already in too deep?
Going on this truth-seeking mission would likely only end up breaking them up.
Knowing Shirley, even if she was presented with photographic evidence of his infidelity, she'd still want to hear his side of the story before jumping to conclusions.
If it made no sense, then why did she feel so compelled to make Shirley see the truth about this guy?
Bella Kennedy didn't have an answer.
But she just had to know if this scumbag was truly a scumbag.
She always did what she wanted.
"I'm taking justice into my own hands! If the law can't punish him, I will!" Bella declared resolutely.
The other passengers turned to look at her, curious.
Young people these days were getting more and more presumptuous, talking bigger than their bosses.
Asa covered her face with her hands, mortified by the stares from the other passengers.
"Can you even handle that?" she asked, embarrassed.
"If I find out he's two-timing, I'll castrate the bastard for the sake of all women!" Bella Kennedy declared, shaking her fist fiercely.
"And... what if he's not two-timing?" Asa asked, putting extra emphasis on "two."
"Humph, then he's lucky, but I'll be watching him," Bella Kennedy said, her eyes hardening as she read a new message on her phone.
Seasons Garden Villa Complex, Building 9.
If she found him at the villa, she'd beat him senseless, no matter what.
Asa sighed.
The "princess disease" was nothing new. No one at school could manage her, but maybe someone out here could.
Second floor of the fitness club, in the strength training area.
The weight plates on James's squat rack were almost maxed out.
Ten 20-kilogram plates on each side.
A total of 400 kilograms (881 pounds).
The sheer weight was causing the barbell to bend slightly.
James, with the bar resting on his shoulders, felt the heaviness, and his balance was a little shaky during the first few reps.
But once he adjusted to the weight and found his center of gravity, it wasn't too bad.
He quickly knocked out five or six squats, startling Sasha so much that she immediately called for backup from other trainers.
With such a massive weight, without spotters, one wrong move could lead to serious injury.
The other gym-goers in the strength training area watched James's performance with their jaws on the floor.
What the hell was this guy? Squatting 400 kilograms?
The world record was just over 500 kilograms.
A normal, experienced lifter could be considered strong if they squatted 140 kilograms.
Trainers could usually handle 200-300, and only a select few dared to challenge 300+.
And here was someone squatting 400 kilograms like it was nothing!
It looked like the barbell, not James, was the limiting factor.
They put down their own comparatively tiny weights and stared at James in awe.
Even Jay Johnson, standing behind James, was wide-eyed.
He had never imagined his boss would be stronger than him.
His personal best at the gym was only 210 kilograms.
He knew exactly how much power 400 kilograms representedâenough to send his nearly 200-pound frame flying with a solid shove.
If he was this strong, why did he even need a bodyguard?
Jay Johnson was lost in thought.
Two muscular trainers rushed over and positioned themselves on either side of James, ready to assist.
After about ten reps, James started to feel a little tired.
His body was still adjusting to this level of training.
He briefly considered trying to lift the barbell overhead and slam it down like weightlifters on TV.
But he worried about damaging the floor, so he carefully lowered the barbell with the help of the two spotters.
Standing up, his legs were pumped, and he could feel his blood rushing through his veinsâa satisfying sensation.
Working out really did release dopamine.
James was already getting hooked.
He felt like doing a few more sets.
"Boss, are you Superman?" Sasha asked, looking at James in disbelief. She couldn't resist touching his chest, exclaiming in awe.
James chuckled at her question. "I don't think so. I can't fly, yet."
He wondered if the Big Appetite skill would let him gain the abilities of birds.
Probably not, since he didn't have wings. Trying to fly might violate the laws of physics.
"Your body is incredible. I think only joining the national team could push you further," Sasha said admiringly.
"It doesn't matter. I'm just working out for fun. As long as I'm making progress, it's fine," James replied casually. "I don't have time for the National Team."
"Alright then. I'll design a plan with the highest intensity for you. First, a 100-kilogram weighted run, which we can do outdoors. And then we'll need more specialized equipment..."
Sasha glanced at the bent barbell, feeling a bit troubled. The equipment here was more than enough for regular people, but for a "superman" like James, it was inadequate.
Judging by how easily he handled that weight, pushing him to his limit would require some serious gear.
"Don't worry about that. I have the money and the space. Just get whatever you think will help me," James said, pulling out his phone.
He asked for her bank account number and paused for a moment, thinking.
Then he transferred 1 million.
Professional gym equipment was expensive, and he wasn't sure exactly how much it would cost.
Sasha's phone buzzed with a notification. She checked the bank transfer and almost fainted.
Why did this guy just send her a million so casually?
They hadn't even signed a purchase agreement. Wasn't he afraid she'd run off with the money?
"Bo... boss, are you letting me buy the equipment myself?" Sasha stammered.
"Of course. You're the expert. You know what's best," James said magnanimously.
"Let me know if it's not enough."
Sasha was flustered.
"This is more than enough! I could open a small gym with this amount!"
The two other trainers, who were removing the weight plates, overheard James and exchanged glances.
Their eyes were filled with curiosity.
Just how much money did he give her to make their star trainer this excited?
A few heavy-duty dumbbells and barbells, plus some racks, shouldn't cost more than 100,000, right?
"That's exactly what I'm planning. I'm setting up a small gym. Why don't you come with me to check out the space and see how we should set it up?" James asked, extending the invitation.
Having witnessed the man's incredible strength, his vast wealth, and his gentle demeanor, Sasha, who never accompanied clients off-site, found herself agreeing without hesitation.
She followed James out of the gym.
[System Notification: Sasha's Affection +10]
[Current Affection: 20]