Brielle’s voice dripped with disgust. “Get lost, Theon. From this day forward, we’re done with each other. Don’t think I don’t know that all of this was orchestrated by your scheming and underhanded tactics. You think that by pushing Andrew out, you’ll have complete control of Sovereign’s Apothecary? Don’t even dream of it.”

Theon’s face twisted with shock and anger, clearly not expecting Brielle to turn on him so openly. “Madam Baxter, what do you mean by that? I’ve always treated you with the utmost respect. I never imagined you’d turn against me over Andrew. Is he really worth betting everything on?”

Brielle let out a scornful laugh. “He’s a ninth-grade supreme alchemist, which makes him at least as capable as you, if not more so. I’m not an idiot. When it comes to choosing between befriending him or aligning with a backstabbing snake like you, do you really think I’m blind enough not to see the obvious choice?”

Theon’s fury reached its peak. “Madam Baxter…”

Before he could continue, Titus’s voice cut through the tension. “Enough! Stop this bickering right now. Since I’ve arrived at Sovereign’s Apothecary, everything here will be done according to my decisions. You’ve been managing this place for quite some years now, Brielle, and in the coming period, you should take some time to rest.”

Brielle’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Rest? You mean you want to sideline me and strip away my authority? Fine, do whatever you want. I couldn’t care less.”

Without another word, she turned and walked out.

Andrew called out immediately. “Amari, we’re leaving too.”

Amari burst into laughter. “Sounds good to me! If we’re going, let’s all go together. This place has been a toxic mess anyway, and I’ve had enough of it.”

Titus frowned. “Mr. Goodman, we have no issue with you personally. In fact, Mr. Bowen specifically mentioned that if you’re interested, we could arrange for you to study at our main headquarters for a few years.”

Amari scoffed dismissively. “No thanks. Andrew is already a ninth-grade supreme alchemist, so if I want to learn anything, he can teach me. What do the Divine Alchemists have that’s so special? What do you have that surpasses him?”

Titus’ expression darkened considerably, his voice turning icy. “If that’s the case, then Sovereign’s Apothecary is too small to accommodate someone of your stature, Mr. Goodman. Please, don’t let us keep you.”

As they were leaving, Mikayla hurried after them. “Andrew, wait a moment!”

Andrew stopped and turned around. “What is it?”

Mikayla smiled as she approached. “If you’d known this would happen, would you have made the same choices? Have you even thought about what you’ll do after leaving Sovereign’s Apothecary?”

Andrew looked at her like she had lost her mind. “Are you serious? I’m a ninth-grade supreme alchemist. You think I’ll have nowhere to go? There’s the Reyes Grand Auction House, or maybe I can join a department directly under military command. Heck, I could just start my own practice. Piece of cake.”

He smirked and added, “Or I could simply stay home and relax. What’s wrong with that?”

His barrage of words left Mikayla speechless.

Her face twisted with frustration as she finally snapped, “I get it, you don’t care. But I have a proposal. The Owens family has a group of alchemists, though they’re not very advanced. If you join us and lead our alchemy department, my dad will honor you as the family’s top advisor. And… I’ll make things right between us again.”

She stood there beaming at Andrew, as if her offer was some incredible gift he would be foolish to refuse.