But the moment Karen James's family left, Linda James's heart started aching for that sum of money.

She started to blame Finn Taylor. "Why did you throw that punch? Look, because of that punch, our family lost 30,000 dollars for no good reason."

​​

Yvette Larson quickly stood up for her husband. "Mom, I'm sure we both know just what kind of people Karen James's family are. Even without Finn Taylor's punch, their family would've found another reason to take this money from us. Besides, it isn't even the first time such a situation has happened. If you really want to resolve the matter, you have to deal with the root cause of it. There's only one solution: severing all ties with them."

"It's not even the first time I'm telling you to do this, but you've never agreed to go through with it. Not only did Finn Taylor do nothing wrong this time, but he even managed to help you gain respect as an older sister. Don't you think so?"

Linda James naturally knew in her heart that everything her daughter had said was true. However, she couldn't bear to truly break all ties with her family.

"Mom, I'm going out for a while," said Finn Taylor before heading out.

After leaving the Larson family's house, he got into a car. It was one that Yvette Larson had seen before—the Rolls-Royce Phantom that had been parked at Pacific Heights.

Finn Taylor glanced at the seven to eight people in the car.

"We're ready, Master Peregrine." It was Wampus who had spoken—Finn Taylor had called him over. 'Does Karen James really think she would be able to take that 30,000 from Finn Taylor? Would he be Master Peregrine then? Are they tired of living to dare to take Master Peregrine's money?'

The car drove along and rolled to a stop in front of a hotel.

It was a very ordinary hotel. The only reason Finn Taylor had instructed them to come here was that Karen James's family was staying here.

Of course, they hadn't yet arrived.

Finn Taylor had left the house soon after them in a car. On the other hand, Karen James's family was walking over.

This naturally meant that Finn Taylor arrived earlier than them.

After about five minutes, Wampus said, "Master Peregrine, they're here."

"Okay, take action now."

Following Finn Taylor's order, the seven to eight men in black got out of the car and headed toward Karen James's family.

Karen James was extremely vigilant as she walked with that bag of money in her hands.

Her husband and son flanked her, not daring to let their guard down.

Their hotel was just ahead, but just then, seven to eight sunglasses-wearing men surrounded them.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Karen James hugged that bag tightly in her arms, fearing for her life as she looked at the men in front of her.

Of course, these men had no intention of wasting their breaths on her. After one of them nodded, three of the men immediately jabbed each of the family members with a needle at their necks, knocking them unconscious.

The man who nodded then picked up the bag and got back in the car. After that, he passed the bag to Wampus.

The latter glanced at it and nodded. "Nothing's missing."

"Let's go then," ordered Finn Taylor, and the car flew off.

It was some time later before Karen James groggily came out of her unconscious state. When she realized that her bag of money was gone, she hurriedly shook her husband and son awake.

The family of three burst into tears, but there was nothing more they could do.

As for Finn Taylor and his subordinates, they had arrived at Wampus's house at Pacific Heights.

At this moment, there was an additional guest in Wampus's house—Baldie Lowe.

Finn Taylor walked in and handed the bag in Wampus's hands to Baldie Lowe. "Count it—the 30,000 dollars that you wanted."

Baldie Lowe glanced at that bag. When he realized that it was filled with wads of cash, he was dumbstruck.

"What, weren't you very articulate at the restaurant? Why have you become a mute now?"

"I. Mr. Taylor… I…" Baldie Lowe had truly become terrified of Finn Taylor after witnessing his skills. Thankfully, he had stopped himself in time and had even made up for his mistake by paying for the latter's bill.

But it was no longer fear he was feeling after New York's Sullivan family invited him over—it was terror.

He believed that this definitely had something to do with Finn Taylor. As expected, he met the latter here. Moreover, the Sullivan family head, Hunter Sullivan, was respectful to Finn Taylor.

This evoked even greater horror in Baldie Lowe.

"What, does my money bite?"

"No, no. How could Mr. Taylor's money bite? That was just a misunderstanding. I…"

Finn Taylor waved him off, signaling for him to stop talking about it. "Aren't you curious about my identity?"

Baldie Lowe hadn't spoken, but his gaze revealed his heart's desire. 'I am indeed terribly curious about who Finn Taylor is. Why is Hunter Sullivan so submissive toward him?'

"Have you heard of Peregrine Hall?"

In an instant, Baldie Lowe was so frightened that he leaped up from his seat. "P-peregrine Hall."

"Hunter Sullivan, Peregrine Hall's Wampus." Finn Taylor gestured toward Hunter Sullivan to introduce him.

Of course, Baldie Lowe had heard of Peregrine Hall. He was even clearer about what being Wampus meant.

There was only one person who could command such great respect from Wampus within Peregrine Hall.

Baldie Lowe didn't even dare to imagine that the man in front of him—someone who the whole of San Francisco had termed as a useless matrilocal son-in-law—was that person!

"It seems like you've already guessed it. There's no point in me hiding it from you anymore. I'm Master Peregrine!"

Thud!

Baldie Lowe dropped to the ground, kowtowing before him. He didn't even dare to meet the other's gaze.

At this moment, Baldie Lowe had the urge to kill himself. 'How could I have been so bold as to threaten Master Peregrine?'

"Don't get scared. Stand up and have a chat with me; I don't bite."

Although Finn Taylor said so, Baldie Lowe didn't dare to stand back up.

It was Hunter Sullivan who helped him up.

"Do you want to join Peregrine Hall?"

Baldie Lowe couldn't help but wonder if his ears were playing tricks on him. 'This… This is incredulous. M-Master Peregrine is inviting me to join Peregrine Hall!'

"Of course! I'm willing!" Although Baldie Lowe looked rough and tough, he was incredibly soft-hearted. He had his own backstory and his own difficulties too. 'This will be a great chance for me to make a comeback.'

"Alright, you'll be Ursus from now on."

Baldie Lowe was still in a daze from Finn Taylor's words, but Hunter Sullivan reminded him, "Hurry up and thank Master Peregrine. He's given you a position in Peregrine Hall."

"Oh… Oh!" It was only then that Baldie Lowe remembered that everyone in Peregrine Hall had their own titles.

Finn Taylor had just given him the title of 'Ursus.'

"Baldie Lowe—no, Ursus thanks Master Peregrine."

"Okay, we'll tell you about our rules then. You can't expose your identity as Ursus; otherwise, I can't be sure about what will happen to you. Also, if you dare to say a word about my identity as Master Peregrine, I can assure you that your entire family will be gone."

Tempering justice with mercy? Finn Taylor was the epitome of that.

Baldie Lowe was stunned into silence.