Chapter 2332

Brielle smiled. “Not only did he return, but he also crippled Sorya’s Ezekiel Beckett from the Tristars Group and sent him back home. Mr. Orben, it seems your time studying with the Divine Alchemists left you a little out of touch with the news.”

Theon’s face turned sour. “Madam Baxter, you’re right. I haven’t kept up with what’s been happening in Chetvine. I just got back and heard that someone here at Sovereign’s Apothecary was about to refine a ninth-grade supreme elixir, and my first thought was simple: fraud, 100% fraud.”

Brielle shook her head. “Mr. Lloyd is no fraud. He’s the treasure of Sovereign’s Apothecary. With him here, we’ll be producing high-grade pills that people will fight to get their hands on.”

Theon snorted. “I refuse to believe his skills have truly reached the ninth grade. Madam Baxter, you should always be cautious. That brat has been running around like an outlaw for years, and who knows what kind of scheme he’s planning now that he’s back. If we get fooled, the loss would be beyond repair.”

Amari’s fury boiled over. “Theon, screw you. You come back here running your mouth like you’ve got crap for brains! Back then, even at your age, Andrew crushed you under his foot. Yet here you are, still bitter and petty, never moving forward. With that attitude, your so-called alchemy will never amount to anything. I suggest you just go ahead and dig yourself a grave!”

Theon’s temper exploded, and he roared, “Amari, you useless old fool! Do you actually think I wouldn’t dare kill you?”

Brielle frowned. “Enough, both of you! Or are you telling me my word counts for nothing here?”

The two men finally backed down, though the hatred in their eyes was unmistakable.

Everyone in Sovereign’s Apothecary knew the two had never gotten along. They despised each other on sight. However, Theon was skilled at gathering followers and currying favor with Chetvine’s elites, which gave him wealth and influence.

Amari, on the other hand, had excellent alchemy skills but no sense for politics. He either drank or shut himself away with his cauldron, never socializing, never networking. Over time, his influence and connections fell far behind Theon’s.

Brielle said calmly, “Mr. Lloyd’s true abilities will be revealed soon enough. There’s no need for more arguments. Especially you, Mr. Orben. Since I’ve chosen to believe in Mr. Lloyd, you shouldn’t keep questioning and undermining my decision. You know very well I don’t like people second-guessing my decisions.”

Theon quickly backed down. “Madam Baxter, I didn’t mean it that way. If you trust him, then I have nothing more to say.”

He turned with his students and stormed off.

Amari spat on the ground. “That old bastard thinks he’s something special. All he’s got going for him is sucking up to the elites in Chetvine and the Divine Alchemists to buy himself some glory.”

Brielle’s voice turned cold. “Amari, you should watch your mouth, too. You know full well you don’t have his kind of influence, so why provoke him head-on? Sovereign’s Apothecary leans toward you only because I’m here. If Theon gains the Divine Alchemists’ full support and outranks me, then everything you have now will vanish. Do you understand?”

Amari’s lips trembled. “T–That’s not very likely, right? Madam Baxter, you’ve managed Sovereign’s Apothecary flawlessly. Why would the Divine Alchemists bother favoring Theon?”

Brielle shook her head. “When it comes to those higher powers, nothing is clear-cut. Theon’s contact with the Divine Alchemists is growing deeper and more frequent. I know he wants to split Sovereign’s Apothecary with me, to share control. But there’s no point talking about it now. Come, let’s meet Andrew. It’s time to begin.”

Amari hurried to respond. “Of course. But first, I need to gather the materials Andrew will need.”

On the other side, Mikayla had seen the entire clash between Amari and Theon.

A thoughtful look spread across her face before it twisted into a cold smile.

She mumbled, “So, Mr. Orben is back. Mr. Goodman, if you keep pushing me away, I can always find another person. But there’s no rush to switch over to Mr. Orben just yet. I should see for myself what kind of person Mr. Goodman’s senior really is. If his skills are the real deal, then no matter what, I’ll make sure to become his student!”

Mikayla was clever, ambitious, and deeply calculating. Every step she took was carefully planned, leaving no room for error.