---- Chapter 2627 Andrew went to see Donovan. Gesturing him to sit down, Donovan said with a smile, "Andy, have a seat!" However, Andrew did not sit. Instead, he nced around the room and noticed that more than a dozen elders from the Lloyd family were present. These old-timers had never been particrly kind to Andrew. The Lloyd family could only have one direct heir, and back in the day, everyone, including Reginald, had chosen Sheena for that role. The outdated notion of "sons over daughters" did not exist in the Lloyd family.
ording to the previous patriarch''s arrangements, Andrew had been groomed to be the family''s shadow operative, while Sheena was meant to be the next head of the Lloyd family. One in the light, one in the shadows, working hand in hand. Yet, Andrew had broken that bnce. He had walked away from the organization, ignoring both the family''s orders and even the pressure and persuasion from Philip and other national leaders. From that moment, the Lloyd family''s upper ranks had turned ---- cold toward him.
They all believed that a man who strayed off course had no right to the family''s resources or their goodwill. Yet now, things were different. Andrew had returned to Chetvine, and his strength was nothing to scoff at. More importantly, he was not going head-to-head with the Lloyd family anymore. Instead, he kept a low profile, staying in a small old cabin on family grounds. That made it hard for the family''s various department heads to ctiticize him. They wanted to find fault, but they had no reason to do so. As a result, they all felt frustrated and helpless.
Donovan lifted his teacup and took a small sip. He smiled and began, "Your trip to the Eastern Regions was a tremendous service to the family. You practically saved Sheena''s life with your own hands. She told me everything you did at Swordhaven Keep. Andy, you possess the decisive judgment, wisdom, and courage that many Lloyd family membersck." An elderly man with a graying beard and eyes like a vulture''s coldly interjected, "Patriarch Donovan, I think that''s a bit of an exaggeration.
Any Lloyd family member who wouldn''t step in when their own kin was being ughtered would be a spineless coward." Donovan smiled and turned to Andrew. "Andy, do you agree with Merlin''s assessment?" ---- Merlin Lloyd was the old man who had just spoken. Clearly, his attitude toward Andrew was not particrly warm. Andrew simply smiled. "He is absolutely right. As a Lloyd family member, and with Sheena being my close rtive, saving her, or even risking my life, was only natural. There''s nothing praiseworthy about it.
It''s simply the dignity and choice that we should uphold." Donovanughed heartily and looked at Merlin. "See? I told you his temperament has changed dramatically over the years. Now, he''s a true gentleman who doesn''t squabble over trivial matters!" Merlin stared at Andrew, smirking. "Kid, if this were the old you, you''d never let anyone critique your actions like this. You were arrogant, cocky, and carried yourself with a dismissive attitude toward everyone and everything. It''s remarkable, really.
In just ten years, you''vepletely changed your nature." Andrew plopped down in a chair and said tly, "Saying I''ve changed my nature would be a lie. After all, a person''s temperament isn''t that easy to change. But I''ve grown up, and I can see that you''ve gotten older. So it''s my turn to give you some respect now, rather than contradicting you like I used to and keeping you up at night." Merlinughed despite himself. "How do you manage to sound smug and polite at the same time? Damn, just for that, you''re ---- already more likable than Reginald." The room burst intoughter.
Andrew''s words, without him realizing it, had melted away much of the resentment that had built up against him over the years. In truth, many of the Lloyd elders had barely interacted with Andrew. He had joined the organization when he was just a teenager, then turned his back on the path they hadid out for him. Back then, he was every elder''s nightmare: a talented but rebellious youth who would not y by the rules. Merlin and the others often felt he had thrown away an incredible future. Meanwhile, Sheena had always been the family''s golden child.
She was disciplined, gifted, and every bit the leader they wanted. But now that Andrew was back among them, they saw something different. He still had not chosen the path they had hoped for, but he had carved out one entirely his own. And at the end of that road, he might very well be someone who could speak to the Lloyd family as an equal At that point, a middle-aged man spoke up ina deep voice, " Andrew, that small but famous business in Chetvine, the Medicine God''s Covenant... That''s yours, isn''t it?" Andrew nodded. "Yeah, it''s mine."<style>
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