Theon sneered. “You think I’d believe that nonsense? Ten years ago, you were just another brat, but because you trained under Mr. Zeroual, everyone was terrified of your background. People lined up to call you a genius alchemist.”

He continued, “I didn’t buy into it. Yet my alchemy still couldn’t compare to yours, and I was humiliated. But Andrew, what goes around comes around. Ten years have passed. You boast about having ninth-grade supreme alchemist skills, but in my eyes, you’re nothing.”

Andrew winced. “Theon, could you at least have some shame? You’re, what, 80 years old now? And you’re still saying things like that? Honestly, I feel embarrassed for you. If you’re going to act cool, at least change it to ‘don’t underestimate me’, and then tack on ‘let me rest in peace.’”

Hearing this, Amari burst out laughing. “Andrew, your tongue is as sharp as ever!”

He could not match Theon in verbal sparring, but Andrew was different. He could verbally beat him.

Theon’s face darkened. “Brat, clever words mean nothing. I came here for one reason: to tell you to get the hell out of Sovereign’s Apothecary and disappear for good. There’s no place for you here, and certainly not for that useless junior of yours. This place will belong to me. I know Madam Baxter favors you, but times have changed. She won’t be able to protect you forever.”

Amari’s expression shifted. “Old bastard Theon, looks like you’ve been kissing ass over at the Divine Alchemists, and it’s finally paying off!”

Theon smirked with pride, fixing his gaze on Andrew. “The Sovereign’s Apothecary is nothing. The Divine Alchemists are the real power behind it. Andrew, even if your skills are incredible, it doesn’t matter. Without a platform, you’re nothing.”

With a cold snort, he strutted away with his followers, arrogance written all over him.

Andrew shook his head as he watched him go. “I wasn’t even coming after you, yet you came to threaten me. Theon, ten years ago, I was still young, hot-blooded, and unwilling to let anything slide. But I’m not the same man anymore. Originally, we could’ve just stayed out of each other’s way; out of sight, out of mind, everyone doing their own thing.

“But you just had to come and pick a fight with me. So I’ll make sure you understand that ten years ago, I only gave you a defeat. Now, if you push too hard, I might give you death instead.”

He didn’t bother to hide it from Amari, saying it openly.

The single man who had lived alone for over 70 years shuddered and muttered, “Andrew, you sound a little too murderous these days.”

Andrew chuckled. “Can’t help it. Sometimes, when you try to reason with people and they won’t listen, you have to let your fists do the talking. Alright, I’m taking off. Stay here at Sovereign’s Apothecary without worry. If Theon dares to make a move on you, I’ll skin him alive.”

Amari snorted coldly. “Even if he’s gained favor with the Divine Alchemists, I’m no pushover. I’m not afraid of him one bit.”

Carrying several bottles of premium elixirs, Andrew left Sovereign’s Apothecary and headed toward the parking lot in back.

“Andrew, wait!” A clear, crisp voice called from behind him.

Andrew blinked in surprise. “Belle? What are you doing here?”

But when he turned, it was not Isabelle. Instead, it was Mikayla.

His brows drew together as he said flatly, “My mistake. I thought you were Belle.”

Mikayla’s eyes flashed with anger and shame.

Damn it, had he just mistaken her for Isabelle? Or worse, did he actually wish she were Isabelle? Could those two really have something going on?

Her mind spiraled with suspicion. Yet, she still wore a bright, pleasant smile. “Andrew, I’m not Belle. I’m your Mikayla.”

Andrew caught the subtle undertone in her words and gave a crooked smile. “Mine? I wouldn’t dare say that. So tell me, what do you want?”

She blurted out, “First, Andrew, I want to sincerely apologize to you. Second, I’d like to ask you to be my alchemy mentor and train me. For that, I’m willing to bow my head and admit I was wrong.

With a sweet, almost pleading tone, Mikayla stepped closer, her eyes wide and glistening as she gazed up at him. She looked exactly like a girl who had made a mistake and was trying to ask for his forgiveness.