"For the sake of your sincere apology, I forgive you this time. But don't let me hear such words again in the future," John said, pretending to be serious.
"Ha, I understand. Brother-in-law, can you uphold justice for me?" Jacob winked at John, his confidence unshaken.
"Why do you think I have the ability to uphold justice for you?" John asked, a playful glint in his eye.
"Because you are the King of Horizon!" Jacob replied boldly.
John froze for a moment, confused. "Did your sister tell you that?"
"Didn't you say that yourself?" Jacob responded, his grin widening.
John raised an eyebrow. "Did I say it myself?"
"Yes! You said it when we were at Uncle Bush's house in the State of New York," Jacob said, nodding as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
John's memory clicked into place. He remembered the dinner at the Bush family's home. It had been a chaotic evening, where Justin Bush had invited John, ostensibly to apologize, but the truth was he had hired an Australian man to confront John. However, John's casual demeanor had intimidated the man, forcing him to back down. Both Queenie and Jacob had been there.
John had jokingly told Queenie that he was indeed the King of Horizon. After some teasing, Queenie had laughed it off, but Jacob, ever the eager listener, had immediately believed him.
"Do you really believe that I'm the King of Horizon?" John asked, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"Yes! Why wouldn't I? The King of Horizon is a big shot, and no one could be messing around with that, right? Besides, you're so powerful. Of course, I believe you," Jacob said confidently.
John felt a mix of amusement and affection. "You're a smart one, aren't you?"
Jacob had caught on to John's earlier words and echoed them back with perfect precision. John felt deeply touched by his sincerity. Queenie, take a good look at this innocent and cute young man. He believes me after hearing it just once.
Meanwhile, Jacob's unwavering trust made John feel a sense of pride. How could anyone not be moved by such genuine faith?
Despite feeling flattered, John kept his tone serious. "My identity is a secret. Remember not to tell anyone, alright?"
Jacob nodded vigorously. "Understood! Big shots like to play the pig to trap the tiger. If I had your strength, I'd be doing much more than you!"
John laughed. This kid is really something.
Not wanting to dwell on the subject, John refocused on the matter at hand. "Since you're calling me brother-in-law, I can't just stand by and do nothing about your situation…"
John paused for a moment, then continued, "You mentioned earlier that the man who stole your girlfriend has some very unusual features?"
"Yes, definitely unforgettable," Jacob replied, his eyes narrowing in thought.
"Perfect. Just wait here," John said with a confident smile. He called the manager over and gestured toward Jacob. "Repeat the description you just gave me to this manager."
Jacob, eager to help, immediately said, "His face looks like that of a horse, his nose is like garlic, and his eyes are slanted…"
As soon as Jacob finished, the manager's face shifted noticeably, especially when Jacob mentioned the slanted eyes. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Young man, I know exactly who you're talking about, but please, lower your voice. If someone overhears, it could cause a lot of trouble."
"A lot of trouble?" John's interest piqued. So this guy really does have a powerful background.
"Please, tell me more," John urged, leaning in slightly.
The manager hesitated, clearly nervous, but eventually spoke up. "The man you're describing sounds like Tony Will, the toff of the Will Family. He's not someone you want to mess with."
John's interest only deepened. "Go on."
"Tony Will himself isn't much of a fighter, but his brother, Bruce Will, is a genius at the Houston Martial Arts School. He reached the Heaven Realm before the age of twenty-three, almost reaching the level of Master Bertha," the manager continued.
"That's impressive, but not the most dangerous part," John said, raising an eyebrow.
The manager's expression darkened as he continued, "The most terrifying part of Tony's background is his grandfather—Carl Will. He's the Guardian of the Central Martial Arts League. That's a position of immense power."
John's mind raced. The Guardian of the Central Martial Arts League? Now, this is interesting. The opportunity to shake up Houston had come sooner than expected, and it seemed to have landed in his lap.
"This is fate," John thought. "Maybe this is exactly what I've been waiting for."
"Is Tony Will here in this restaurant right now?" John asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp with intent.
The manager looked wary. "Bro, what are you planning?"
"Nothing. My brother-in-law might have had a misunderstanding with Tony. After hearing about his strong background, I thought it would be a good opportunity for us to apologize," John explained smoothly.
The manager gave Jacob a quick glance before looking back at John. He sighed, resigned. "If there's been a misunderstanding, then you should definitely apologize. A wise man knows when to submit."
John smiled, appreciating the manager's cautious wisdom. "Thank you. Where is Tony now?"
The manager hesitated but eventually relented. "Mr. Will is in the banquet hall on the third floor. Mr. Ward is with him as well."
John's eyes gleamed. This was exactly the opportunity he had been waiting for. He stood up, ready to face the challenges ahead, knowing that this meeting could very well change everything for him.