Elaine’s eyes lit up. “You mean Andrew can heal the damage to your energy core? If that’s true, then it’s simple. I’ll go find him myself and ask him to treat you, Uriel.”
Uriel’s eyes flickered with hope but soon turned uncertain. “Beg him, Ms. Theron? I’d rather not. And I don’t want you to go either. Given your status, it’s not right. Besides, I don’t like that man, and I doubt I could ever bring myself to beg him.”
Elaine replied firmly, “Whether you like him or not doesn’t compare to how important your life is. It’s settled then. I’ll find a way to talk to him and ask for his help.”
Meanwhile, on Andrew’s end, he was currently in his rundown place, calculating what other operations were needed before Medicine God’s Covenant could open.
He knew he needed to build some serious buzz because to rival the Sovereign’s Apothecary, reputation was everything. Once they had prestige, they could attract talented alchemists and fresh recruits. Otherwise, it would just be him and Amari running themselves into the ground.
The Reyes family had already shown signs of support, and Andrew believed that ten ninth-grade supreme elixirs had to count for something. Still, it was not enough.
‘Maybe I can get the Robertson family involved too,’ he thought, remembering Isabelle, his little admirer. Perhaps through her, he could connect with the Robertson family.
However, they viewed Andrew and Reginald as mortal enemies. Years ago, when Andrew and Reginald left Chetvine, they had sent people to hunt them down.
Thinking it over, Andrew decided against it. Though his attitude toward the Robertson family had long since evolved beyond simple friend-or-foe dynamics, Andrew knew he still could not treat them as friends. Besides, they would not see him as an ally either. Hence, he would have to put Isabelle aside for now.
Just then, Sheena came to Andrew with a dark expression. She said, “Someone’s outside asking for you. He’s been yelling insults, saying you don’t have the guts to face him.”
Andrew looked up, still nonchalant. “Who’s got the nerve to stand outside our gates and shout at me? You’re not stopping him, Sheena?”
Sheena replied coldly, “It’s Jaden Horton, Mr. Guillermo Vazquez’s mad dog. He wouldn’t dare step inside the Lloyd family estate, but this mongrel is using Mr. Vazquez’s name to insult you. He called you a coward and challenged you to come out and fight him. Andrew, be honest with me. Were you the one who ambushed him?”
Andrew nodded. “Yeah, that was me.”
Sheena ground her teeth. “Then why didn’t you just finish that bastard off? You know I don’t tolerate anyone disrespecting the Lloyds.”
Andrew stood and stretched his back. “You’re right, Sheena. I didn’t handle it well. Let him bark all he wants. Soon enough, he’ll be dead.”
There was a chilling gleam in his eyes.
Sheena studied Andrew carefully and said, “Alright, I know you can handle your own mess. But that mutt is vicious, meaner than most. If you need backup, just say the word.”
Andrew smiled and waved his hand. “No need. You’d crush him in three moves, and that’d be too easy. I’d rather take my time playing with him.”
Sheena nodded. “Fine. I’ll wait for your news. But Andrew, if you still can’t deal with him, I’ll step in. After taking out this bastard, I’ll head east to Swordhaven Keep and officially challenge Alfredo. If Guillermo wants to punish me afterward, he’ll have to catch me first.”
Andrew shook his head. “No, I don’t want you to be targeted by Mr. Vazquez. I just want you safe, Sheena. That’s what matters to me.”
Sheena’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Stop worrying about me. Go fawn over your pretty sweethearts instead. Ugh, why am I even saying this? I’m leaving!”
As soon as she left, Andrew headed straight to the front gates.
Sure enough, Jaden had brought people and was standing across the street, shouting and cursing as he pointed toward the estate.
One yelled, “Come out, coward! If you’ve got any guts, face Mr. Horton like a man!”
Another joined in, “Dragon Prince of the Lloyd family? Ha! More like the Lloyd family’s loser. Too scared to admit what you’ve done? Don’t tell me you plan to hide in there forever.”