Jacob rubbed his stomach, his hands massaging his face as he let out a long sigh.


    What a tough situation!


    Then, he muttered, "What''s the update from Hartstone Estate?"


    "Three carriages have been moved, and they''re parked at the back door. They''re loading up things looks like gold, silver, and other valuables from a distance," came the response. Jacob nodded. "He''s trying to run."


    "Should we send someone to intercept them on the way out?"


    Ever the diplomat, Jacob turned to Everett for advice. "What do you think, Sage Everett?"


    With a calm expression, Everett replied, "Where can he go? He''s definitely heading for Valken. Send someone to follow him, and along the way, take all his valuables. Let him head to Valken empty-handed. Once he''s there..." He gave Winona a pointed look.


    "Have your people keep a close watch. Everything he does and every move he makes needs to be reported back."


    Winona gritted her teeth and responded with a firm, "Yes, sir!"


    Jacob was aware that he would need to send someone to keep an eye on things, but the idea of stealing all of Hartstone Estate''s valuables struck him as particrly ruthless-and he couldn''t help but admire the cunning. Everett nced at Kyle and Winona, and finally relented. "Fine, you can go now. Put the jars down and get on with your business."


    The two of them felt like they had just been granted mercy. With shaky hands, they carefully carried the massive water jars out of the room. The jars were sorge that they barely fit through the door. Had the door been any smaller, they wouldn''t be able to get in or out. Once the jars were ced down, they returned, bracing themselves for more reprimands. Having been punished so many times before, they knew the process was neverplete without at least a few words of scolding.


    "Thank you for your forgiveness, Sage Everett."


    Everett took a sip of his coffee before saying slowly, "I''m not punishing you because I''m heartless. If you want to me someone, me your hopeless mentor. He''s up on the mountain experimenting with gunpowder and blew up my courtyard. And then he had the nerve to ask me toe to the capital to help his apprentices. If I don''t punish you, how can I let off some steam?"


    The two of them exchanged a look. Was Adrian still messing around with gunpowder from the kingdom of Nerathia?


    He had been working on it when they first heard that Carissa was going to the battlefield. It wasn''t the first time he had tried-each time ended in failure, with nothing but loud explosions and thick smoke.


    This time, however, he had destroyed Everett''s courtyard. Could he have actually seeded?


    Winona, unable to help herself, blurted, "How did it go? Did he blow up your entire courtyard?"


    It was a foolish question, one that only fueled Everett''s irritation. The moment the words left her mouth, Winona saw the change in the older man''s expression-his face instantly darkened.


    "Go tell your people to handle their business. Then,e back and continue holding up the jar."


    With that, Winona quickly left, her head low in defeat.


    Jacob watched the scene unfold, a deep sigh escaping his lips.


    No matter how famous Kyle was or how well-known Winona was in the martial arts world, they were nothing in front Everett. All their usual grace and intimidation melted away. Each punishment was met without a word, and they didn''t dare utter a singleint.


    Not just them—Jacob suspected even Carissa would be the same.


    It wasn''t long before Winona left, and soon enough, Rafael, Carissa, and the others returned.


    They had only found out Everett was in the estate after arriving. The? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    couple''s reactions were entirely


    different one pleased, the othet


    inwardly groaning. Still, both knew


    they had to go to the study and greet him.


    Everett''s reputation in Meadow Ridge was notorious. Violet and Travis would never approach him willingly. After all, there was no point in seeking trouble when it could be avoided.


    As the study door opened, Everett''s gaze softened slightly when he saw his only apprentice enter, affection filling his eyes. His gaze shifted to the troublemaker in the corner the one who had been a constant headache ever since joining the Pathfinders Guild. His expression soured once again.


    "Sage Everett, what brings you here?" Rafael asked with a bright smile, quickly stepping forward.


    "Sir, what brings you here?" Carissa asked with a furrowed brow, dragging her feet as she walked in, clearly less than thrilled.


    Everett naturally chose to answer his apprentice, saying, "That troublesome martial uncle of yours blew up my courtyard, so now I have to renovate it. Looks like I''ll be staying here for a while."


    He finished his statement with a cold, piercing re at Carissa.


    Naturally, Carissa silently walked over to stand beside Kyle and kept her mouth shut.