"Originally, I didn't want to meet anyone from the Lloyd royal bloodline," Elaine said, her voice suddenly turning cold. "I hate every single one of them. No, hate isn't even strong enough. They disgust me. They make me sick to my stomach."

She continued, "But you're different. First, because you're Reginald's son. And second, because I once saw you in person, and I still remember the impression you left. There are very few young men in this world like you."

"The moment I saw you back then, I imagined that if I ever had a child, I'd want him to be like you. But fate is cruel. I'll never have children of my own in this lifetime. And for reasons I can't quite explain, that tiny, strange feeling made me break my own rule and grant you this meeting. So now, tell me what you came for. My patience is limited. You have three minutes."

Andrew gave a small nod.

Now this was how a true leader of a great family should carry herself: cold, impatient, authoritative, and overwhelmingly composed.

Whatever strange behavior she had shown earlier was just a brief lapse. Nonetheless, everyone had a past, and Andrew did not care to pry into it.

After thinking it through for a moment, he finally said, "I'm here to propose an alliance through marriage with the Reyes family."

There was silence behind the curtain, then came a laugh, clear and light, like the ringing of a bell.

Still laughing, she asked, "That's interesting. What did you just say? You want to form an alliance through marriage with the Reyes family? I have to admit, I didn't see that coming at all. I thought you came to ask for help, or perhaps to build a connection, or even to uncover certain secrets. But I never imagined you'd be here to ask for a marriage alliance."

"So tell me, which woman from my family caught your eye? Whichever one you want, I can make it happen. But the price is that the head of the Lloyd royal house, Patriarch Donovan himself, must come over and kneel at my family altar for an hour."

Andrew did not even hesitate before shaking his head. "No matter what I came for, that condition is impossible."

The curtain fell silent again, the air growing tense.

However, Andrew did not seem to notice her displeasure or the pressure she radiated. He calmly continued, "The Lloyd royal house and I are no longer on the same path. So it's not possible for Patriarch Donovan to come here."

"Still, let me be honest. The Reyes family is powerful and respected throughout the world. But the Lloyd royals? They move the pieces that shape that very world. So tell me, have you ever seen a player bow to one of his own chess pieces? Especially one that doesn't know its place?"

Elaine scoffed but did not show anger. "You have quite the mouth on you," she said. "I'll admit, the Lloyds do have a hand in the game. But who told you or gave you the confidence to think my family is just a slightly bigger chess piece?"

"Let me be frank. The world is vast. The Lloyd royals aren't the only powerhouse anymore. There are plenty of fierce ones rising, and who wins in the end is far from certain."

Andrew shook his head slightly. "To me, the Reyes family is indeed like a mountain, tall and commanding. I wouldn't dare to say I can challenge you. But I've already made it clear: I'm not acting on behalf of the Lloyd royals."

"Still, your tone gives away a lot. You have ambition, and you have an appetite to match. But the truth is, no matter how mighty the Reyes family stands, in the eyes of the Lloyd royals, you're still not an equal opponent."

He continued. "If you're so confident, you might as well bring out the Umbral Peak Sect that stands behind you. Only then would you be qualified to sit at the same table with the Lloyd royals."

"As for demanding Patriarch Donovan to kneel before you? Be realistic. You can't make that happen. Neither can Mr. Reyes Senior, and neither can the leader of the Umbral Peak Sect himself. That fact doesn't need to be debated. Everyone already knows it… It's practically common sense."