Neera managed to suppress a smile, respectfully nodding her head. âYes, yes, I was thoughtless in my speech.â
Finnley fumed as he corrected her, âWhat do you mean by you bring thoughtless? You clearly just donât understand the real situation!â
Neera nodded obediently. âYes, yes, yes. Itâs my fault for not understanding the real situation. Mr.
Weaver, you are a magnanimous person, so please donât be upset with a little girl like me.â
Finnley snorted twice, waving his hand fan. Feeling a bit chilly, he moved it to his right and casually pointed at the small stool next to him.
âAlright, letâs sit down and talk. Youâre always squatting like that, arenât you tired? It tires me just watching you.â
Neera smiled wryly and promptly took a seat.
âI knew it, Master. You truly care for me.â
Finnleyâs small mustache quivered as he urged, âStop buttering me up. Iâm asking you, was the Gordon familyâs decision to join Lordsworth Estate planned beforehand? If so, why didnât they leave with the Cox family earlier?â
Neera explained candidly, âOriginally, I thought we should leave together. But then I reconsidered and felt it would be better if the Cox family left first. When Bartitsu Guild loses such a powerful force as the Cox family, they will definitely try to win over the Gordon family to stabilize the situation. Naturally, the Gordon family wouldnât want to side with the guild. When Bartitsu Guild canât stand it anymore and acts out of desperation, the Gordon family can then leave with a clear conscience.â
âHmph, youâre quite the clever one, arenât you? Looking back now, I suppose even Iâve been played by your schemes.â
Neera smiled and said, âJust as expected, after the Cox family left, Matthew came to me and offered me the position of the third elder in Bartitsu Guild. He wants both me and the Gordon family to pledge our full loyalty to the Guild.â
âDid you agree or not?â Finnley asked on purpose.
âOf course not. Iâve just been stringing them along, saying that I canât make the decision alone and need to discuss it with the Gordon family elders. Iâve been stalling for the past few days. Matthew has asked me twice, and both times Iâve managed to dodge his questions.â
Finnley pointed at her. âYouâre quite the clever little imp, arenât you? If Matthew knew you were tricking him, heâd be fuming with rage.â
Neera waved her hand, not bothered at all. âLet him be angry. The angrier he gets, the happier I am.
Bartitsu Guild is intolerant and treacherous. Iâve long wanted to leave them. Now, thinking about being able to leave here with the Gordon family, I can hardly contain elation.â
âYouâre oversimplifying things. Bartitsu Guild isnât exactly a benevolent entity, but Lordsworth Estate is no saint either. Itâs a place that devours people without mercy, so to speak. While their methods might not be as cruel as the guildâs, their ruthlessness is second to none.â
Neera nodded. âIâve looked into it beforehand. The methods of Lordsworth Estate are indeed ruthless, but they are only used against those who oppose them. When dealing with their own families, they Neera nodded. âIâve looked into it beforehand. The methods of Lordsworth Estate are indeed ruthless, but they are only used against those who oppose them. When dealing with their own families, they have never acted like Bartitsu Guild, who fears and refuse to tolerate others.â
âYouâre right about that,â Finnley agreed. He then asked, âSo, what did Lordsworth Estate ask of you this time? They allowed the Gordon and Cox families to go over, but what do they require from you?
What do they need you to do?â
âWe donât have to do anything. I personally met with Mr. Wiley. Heâs a straightforward man who didnât beat around the bush or put on airs with me. Heâs very approachable. Initially, I was a bit nervous, but to my surprise, Mr. Wiley said that our two families donât need to do anything for Lordsworth Estate. All we need to do is to behave ourselves and abide by the rules within the jurisdiction of the Lordsworth Estate.â
Finnley seemed somewhat incredulous. âReally? Lordsworth Estate is actually that benevolent? I find it hard to believe. After all, by leaving Bartitsu Guild and going to Lordsworth Estate, youâre essentially making an enemy of the guild. Lordsworth Estate accepting both of your families is akin to slapping the guild in the face. This grudge is not a small one.â
âIâve thought about it before, but judging from Mr. Wileyâs attitude, it seems that the Lordsworth Estate doesnât care.â
After pondering for a moment, Finnley could only think of one possibility. âIt seems that saving the lord of Lordsworth Estate was the right thing to do. Who would have thought it could bring such benefits.â
Neera nodded. âI also find it quite unbelievable. Who would have thought Iâd end up saving such a big shot.â
Then, she asked again, âFinnley, would you like to come with us? I donât see any point in you staying back here. Rest assured, the Gordon family will always back you up. As long as weâre around, you will be well protected.â
Finnley waved his hand. âIâm alone. Iâll be fine. It doesnât matter where I am. I wonât go over and cause you trouble.â
Neera quickly reassured him, âYouâre no trouble at all. I feel at ease with you around. Besides, you still have to keep pushing me to practice martial arts. If youâre not there, I might get distracted. You have to stay with me and watch me practice diligently. Moreover, if you go, you can often play chess and chat with my uncle. Isnât that much more interesting than being here all alone?â
Hearing her sincere invitation caused Finnleyâs eyes to glisten with joy. After some thought, he agreed.
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