The atmosphere in the hall was tense to the extreme. Standing by the side door, Andrew Walker's eyes flickered. Edward Walker's protective love for his child moved Andrew Walker deeply. In his previous life, he had been alone, but after reincarnation, he could now experience the bonds of brotherhood and fatherly affection—a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. After all, in Andrew Walker's understanding, jealousy and scheming were rampant in wealthy families, and in the face of money and power, nothing else mattered.

Looking at the Head of the Quinn Family sitting calmly in the seat of honor, sipping tea, Andrew Walker couldn't help but frown slightly. The reason The Warren Family dared to come today was, of course, because they had found an opportunity and seized upon his commoner status to make an issue of it. No matter how angry or argumentative Edward Walker became, this fact could not be changed.

It seemed that The Warren Family and The Quinn Family had come prepared. Judging by the situation, they didn't seem to be here just to capture him. After all, if their real goal was to seize him, The Warren Family wouldn't need to come to The Walker Family in person—they could simply report the matter to the seventh-rank noble family, The Owen Family, who governed Songyun City, and The Owen Family would send someone to arrest him. Wouldn't that be enough?

Clearly, there was a conspiracy at play.

Seated in the place of honor, Head of the Quinn FamilyThomas Quinn finally put down his teacup, drooped his eyelids, and, with a fake smile, waved his hand at the two quarreling below, saying, “Stop arguing, both of you. Everything should be reasoned out, right?”

Hearing the old man’s first words, Andrew Walker felt an urge to curse. This guy was obviously in cahoots with The Warren Family. He just didn’t know what Thomas Quinn was helping The Warren Family for today...

Thomas Quinn was, after all, an eighth-rank noble. In this strictly hierarchical world, a higher official could easily suppress a subordinate, just like in the military of his previous life, where superiors had absolute authority to reprimand those below.

Although Edward Walker was furious, he had no choice but to suppress his anger in the face of Thomas Quinn, and asked in a deep voice, “May I ask, Scott Quinn, what do you mean by this...?”

Among nobles, those of lower rank addressed those of higher rank as Scott, adding the surname as a sign of respect. Although it was clear that Thomas Quinn was here to take sides and help The Warren Family, he couldn't speak as bluntly as Samuel Warren.

Thomas Quinn coughed lightly twice, glanced over at Thomas Quinn, and sighed softly, “I’ve already learned the ins and outs of this matter. Andrew Walker was the first to provoke Grace Warren, leading to a fight. Although Grace Warren, with his fifth level of body strengthening, attacked Andrew Walker, who doesn’t even practice the body strengthening technique, which was indeed a bit excessive, it’s also true that Andrew Walker injured Grace Warren...”

The anger on Edward Walker's face suddenly subsided. He stared at Thomas Quinn and said, “Then, according to Scott Quinn, what do you propose?”

Thomas Quinn pondered for a moment before finally saying, “Today, the Head of the Warren Family and I came to The Walker Family just to act as mediators and find a solution to settle the dispute between your two families, preferably without damaging your relationship.”

Edward Walker did not respond, expressing his strong dissatisfaction through silence.

Thomas Quinn coughed lightly again and turned to stare at Samuel Warren: “Among the seven noble families of Songyun City, The Warren Family and The Walker Family are both ninth-rank nobles, equal in status. Since you all live in the same city, why make things so tense? Old Wan, I think both sides should take a step back. Although Grace Warren suffered a lot this time, the The Walker Family boy was also seriously injured. If you insist on capturing the The Walker Family boy, I’m afraid there will never be peace between The Walker Family and The Warren Family from now on...”

Samuel Warren snorted coldly, “So my son just gets his ribs broken by a commoner for nothing? Now that this has happened, my The Warren Family has lost all face...”

Thomas Quinn seemed a bit troubled, and finally turned to Edward Walker: “Old Wu, if The Warren Family is willing to let this matter go, would The Walker Family be willing to offer some compensation?”

Standing by the side door, Andrew Walker showed a cold smile. Old fox, are you finally about to reveal your true purpose?

Edward Walker's brows knit tightly together, forming a deep crease between them. He shot a cold glance at Samuel Warren across from him, then at the seemingly calm Thomas Quinn, exhaled the breath he had been holding, and slowly asked, “Name your terms.”

Samuel Warren stared at Edward Walker, a trace of smugness at the corner of his mouth. He was not at all afraid that The Walker Family would refuse his terms today. Everyone knew how much Edward Walker doted on his good-for-nothing son. Now that he had the imperial iron law as leverage, The Walker Family had no choice but to compromise.

“The restaurant at the east gate and the shop across the street...” Greed was undisguised in Samuel Warren's eyes. “If The Walker Family is willing to use that restaurant and shop as compensation, then my The Warren Family will accept the loss of face this time and let the matter drop.”

Edward Walker's brows shot up as he said angrily, “Wan, why don’t you just ask for all of The Walker Family’s restaurants and shops?”

Samuel Warren snorted coldly, “Edward Walker, take it or leave it. If you won’t give them, then hand over your son. Although The Warren Family isn’t as good at business as The Walker Family, we don’t really care about those two places...”

Edward Walker's eyes blazed with fury as he stared hard at Samuel Warren. He finally understood what Samuel Warren and Thomas Quinn were scheming for by coming to The Walker Family together today.