“It should be!” Edward Thompson nodded. “A few days ago, I was chatting idly with your father-in-law, and from what he said, it seems he wants you to go out and gain some experience. Lucy, your father-in-law thinks very highly of you. Who knows, maybe this vast family business will be yours in the future.”

　　“Not at all, not at all!”

　　Charlotte Brooks rolled his eyes a couple of times. “Uncle is in the prime of his life and will surely rise even higher in the future. I can’t wait to serve uncle as soon as possible, but as for this family business, it has nothing to do with me. Uncle has a son, and if not, there are still two brothers-in-law.”

　　Edward Thompson was moved. “My brothers-in-law and I are outsiders after all, Lucy, you’re joking!”

　　At the same time, he thought: He’d long heard from Grace that she had a younger brother, nicknamed Mildred. It was said that Mildred did not please the father-in-law, and the mother-in-law didn’t like him either. Although the old man doted on Mildred, he was already sixty-two years old. When the old man passes away one day, this Mildred... Although Grace asked me to look after him, I’ve never actually met this person.

　　If Charlotte Brooks hadn’t brought it up, Edward Thompson would have forgotten what Grace Brooks had said.

　　He couldn’t help but hesitate. If, in the future, George Brooks could still have a son, then he would naturally be loyal to George Brooks’s son. But if George Brooks had no son, the future of the Dong family business might not be handed to that Mildred. Clearly, Charlotte Brooks was testing him. What should Edward Thompson do? Assist that Mildred? The prospects seemed rather bleak.

Chapter 3: Born with Kingly Strength (2)

　　“Brother-in-law, I just learned a set of spear techniques. Would you be interested in giving me some pointers?”

　　Edward Thompson was not particularly skilled in martial arts, but in his youth, he had traveled the world and met many formidable people, so his eye for talent was sharp. Hearing Charlotte Brooks’s words, Edward Thompson smiled and nodded. “Lucy, go ahead and show me. I’d be honored to learn from your skills.”

　　Charlotte Brooks laughed heartily, turned, and grabbed a spear from the weapon rack, weighing about ten pounds.

　　He shook the spear, and the shadows of the weapon danced like a dragon churning the waters, quite imposing. The family members around cheered in unison, constantly encouraging Charlotte Brooks. But after watching for a while, Edward Thompson couldn’t help but smile on his thin face.

　　It looked impressive, but it was all for show.

　　If George Brooks saw it, he would surely scoff. But Edward Thompson couldn’t do that, so he stroked his beard and smiled, nodding in approval.

　　Suddenly, the spear shadows vanished, and Charlotte Brooks looked toward the edge of the training ground.

　　“Who’s over there spying?”

　　Edward Thompson was startled. Following Charlotte Brooks’s gaze, he saw that at the edge of the training ground, a young boy was standing there, though no one knew when he had arrived.

　　The boy looked to be about eleven or twelve years old, and stood six feet tall.

　　With bronze skin, a lion-like nose and wide mouth, thick eyebrows, and spirited eyes. Only his eyes were a bit narrow, with a cold, indifferent gaze that gave off an inexplicable chill. His black hair hung loose, and standing there, he looked like a little lion.

　　Edward Thompson felt unfamiliar—who was this?

　　But Charlotte Brooks saw the boy and laughed.

　　He put away the spear and looked at the boy. “Mildred, why aren’t you with your grandmother? What are you doing here?”

　　Mildred?

　　Could this be the one Grace mentioned? But that can’t be right—Grace said he wasn’t even seven yet, so how does he look...

　　Edward Thompson recalled the legend in the Dong household: Mildred was said to be the reincarnation of a demon, and killed his mother at birth. If not for the old lady subduing him with great compassion, he would have turned into a monster long ago. Could he really be a demon?

　　The boy ignored Charlotte Brooks, snorted, and turned to leave.

　　“Mildred, I’m talking to you!”

　　The boy still ignored him and walked straight out of the training ground.

　　Charlotte Brooks flew into a rage. In front of all the servants, this ugly brat dared to disrespect him. That was bad enough, but his brother-in-law was here too—if he couldn’t even control this brat, how could he expect his brother-in-law to serve him in the future?

　　“You little bastard, truly an ill-mannered wretch. No wonder you even killed your own mother!”

　　Edward Thompson frowned, feeling that Charlotte Brooks was going too far.

　　After all, Mildred was not even seven years old; it was normal for him to lack manners. The Dong family wasn’t one of those aristocratic clans, nor did they have so many rules. Besides, Charlotte Brooks, you’re a grown man—why argue with a child?

　　The boy stopped, turned his head, and looked at Charlotte Brooks.

　　“Say that again!”

　　For some reason, Edward Thompson felt a chilling aura in the boy’s words. He couldn’t help but shiver, and looked the boy over carefully, but found nothing unusual—he just stood there quietly.

　　“I...”

　　Only Charlotte Brooks, standing opposite the boy, could feel the extraordinary murderous intent emanating from him. How could this brat have such a fierce aura? Even when facing uncle, he wasn’t this intense. But Charlotte Brooks quickly composed himself. If he couldn’t even handle a little brat, how could he expect his brother-in-law to serve him in the future?

　　“I said you’re an ill-mannered monster. Today, I’ll discipline you on uncle’s behalf!”

　　As Charlotte Brooks spoke, he shook his spear, which whistled through the air as he thrust it at the boy.

　　This was no discipline—he clearly meant to kill. Edward Thompson immediately realized that Charlotte Brooks intended to kill Mildred.

　　Thinking about it, the reason wasn’t hard to understand.