Chapter 2342

Mikayla secretly gritted her teeth. Andrew was really something. She had already lowered herself, yet he still kept nitpicking.

Did he really think she had no pride?

If it were any other young man in Chetvine, they would have already bent over backwards to please her. They would have laughed and flattered her, never daring to make things so difficult.

Nonetheless, Mikayla had a deep mind and never revealed her true feelings. Instead, she put on a pitiful expression and sighed softly.

“Andrew, since you understand me, you should know I had no choice in what I did. For the Owens family to become a powerful house, we still have a long way to go. The burden of the family and the expectations of the elders—I can’t let any of it down.

“Yes, I admit I’ve changed a lot over the years. When you arrived in Chetvine that day, my attitude wasn’t great either. But there are reasons behind all of this. If I still acted toward you the way I did years ago, like an obedient little follower who didn’t think for myself, then people with ulterior motives would target the Owens family.

“You know, Andrew, the Owens family isn’t a first-tier power in Chetvine. Only by navigating carefully and making connections on all sides can our family survive and rise.”

Andrew nodded and smiled. “That was perfect. Almost flawless. Mikayla, you’re becoming more and more like the woman I once knew. Aside from martial arts, which you two differ in, the rest, especially your minds and calculations, are practically a perfect match.”

Mikayla suppressed her frustration and said with a bitter smile, “Andrew, even now, you still don’t believe me? You still think I’m full of empty words?”

Andrew shook his head. “No, you’re not full of empty words. A woman like you is beyond help.”

Mikayla’s expression stiffened instantly.

Andrew’s voice was calm as he went on, “Not only hopeless, but self-righteous and smug. Mikayla, did you really think I’m just like other men, so easily manipulated by you?”

The expression on Mikayla’s face unconsciously turned cold as she just stared icily at Andrew.

Andrew’s gaze toward her also became completely devoid of warmth. “I really don’t like self-righteous women, especially the kind who show off in front of me, thinking they’re so smart and that everyone should pamper and worship them.

“Mikayla, if only you were a bit more honest and realistic, and didn’t play so many mind games or use so many little tricks in front of me. If only you were like Belle, straightforward about what you love and hate…

“Before this, she followed her family’s orders and came to kill me; she just did it without hesitation. Afterward, she became my friend and let go of our past grudges easily, without any baggage. See, that’s what being open-minded is, that’s genuine emotion: love when you love, hate when you hate, no fakeness.

“If you were that kind of person, I wouldn’t even need to think about it today. I’d teach you alchemy.”

Andrew stopped there.

Mikayla said flatly, “If you don’t want to teach me, just say so. What’s the point of saying all this?”

Andrew smiled. “No point at all. You should go. I won’t teach you anything about alchemy. Not only will I not teach you, but many people at Sovereign’s Apothecary won’t teach you either.”

Mikayla’s face darkened. “Andrew, what are you trying to do? You don’t really think I’m going to submit to you, do you?”

Chapter 2343