Chapter 2465

Isabelle immediately said, "Then let's call it a lease. Eventually, I'll just give it to you anyway since I don't want any rent."

Andrew could not accept that kind of generosity and asked, "You're sure you can make the call for this property?"

Isabelle huffed. "Don't underestimate me. My grandpa already transferred this whole garden to my name a long time ago. He said it would be my wedding gift someday. But honestly, I've never cared about owning houses and stuff, so I just let it sit there. Now that I'm officially the owner, I can make the decision."

Andrew nodded after thinking it through. "Alright then. Since you won't take rent and won't let me buy it, we'll treat it as your investment in Medicine God's Covenant. The Reyes family brings the funding, you provide the property, and Amari and I handle the production. Perfect team."

Isabelle blinked her big, bright eyes. "Andrew, are you seriously planning to go up against the Sovereign's Apothecary?"

Andrew smiled faintly. "I wouldn't call it going against them. Everyone runs their own business, fair competition, that's all."

Isabelle shook her head. "There are a lot of powerful groups in Chetvine, but this is the first time I've ever heard of someone daring to challenge the Sovereign's Apothecary. Alchemy isn't like selling food or clothes. I think your path is going to be rough, especially since Sovereign's Apothecary has the Divine Alchemists behind them. My grandpa once said even our Robertson family would stay out of their way."

Andrew chuckled. "I'm surprised. You've always been so uninterested in things, but now you're actually paying attention to these?"

Isabelle blushed. "Well, since you're starting something huge, I had to do my homework. Anyway, no matter what happens, Andrew, I'll support you."

Andrew ruffled her hair. "Thanks, Belle."

Isabelle quickly jumped away and pouted. "Stop that. I told you, I'm not a kid anymore. If you really want to thank me, then take me to a hotel."

Andrew froze, his face darkening. "What did you just say?"

Isabelle grinned wickedly. "You heard me. I said if you've got the guts, take me to a hotel. I've been cooped up my whole life and never experienced it. Andrew, I'm at that age where I should have a boyfriend. So why not be my first? You know, the first time is always the most special."

Andrew sighed, half laughing, half exasperated. "Alright, that's enough. Stop thinking about nonsense like that. You and I are like siblings. Don't twist it into something it's not."

Isabelle grew anxious. "Don't think you can brush me off that easily, Andrew. I don't see you as a brother. Remember this: I want you to be my man, simple as that."

Andrew looked at her serious little face and felt another headache coming on. "Can you tell me when exactly you decided we could be a couple?"

Isabelle giggled. "Hmm, maybe after ten years apart, I realized that you've become even more handsome. Now that I'm all grown up, I've also fallen for you. What's wrong with that? Sounds perfectly normal to me."

Andrew forced a smile. "Yeah, no. That's not normal at all."

Isabelle snorted and flipped her ponytail as she turned to leave. "Whatever, Andrew. I'm heading home. Oh, by the way, just so you know, Mikayla and I aren't friends anymore. We had a falling out because of you. So you better take responsibility and make me feel like it was worth it."

Andrew could only stare at her, speechless once again. He could not help but think she was far more complicated than she looked.