Standing before Butler Brooks, Henry Tate had completely lost the glibness and chattiness he’d just shown in front of Brian Clark. He bowed his head and saluted properly, but at the same time glanced uneasily at Brian Clark—only now did the little fellow realize he had forgotten to ask which branch of the Xu family Brian Clark belonged to, and what his ranking was. If Butler Brooks were to ask, he would know nothing at all. So, when he saw Butler Brooks wave his hand at him, he felt as if he’d been granted amnesty, immediately left Brian Clark behind, and slipped out of the room without another word.

No sooner had he left than Butler Brooks dropped his smile, looked at Brian Clark with a forced grin, and said, “Seventh Young Master, you really are something. You know the rest of the clan is hard to approach, so you decided to come straight to my master, is that it?”

Chapter 11: Playing to One’s Preferences (Part 2)

The room where Samuel Brooks received guests wasn’t very large. A few folding screens divided the space, but there was only a single chair in the center. While speaking, Samuel Brooks didn’t even bother to stand up. He sat there holding a teacup, watching Brian Clark with a half-smile, not looking the least bit like a servant.

Having his intentions exposed, Brian Clark still maintained a polite smile. “Big Brother Brooks, you’re half right. I did come to seek a connection today, but not with Sixth Uncle—I came specifically to seek your help, Big Brother Brooks.”

Though he was just a servant, as the saying goes, when one person rises to power, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. With his master’s promotion, Samuel Brooks not only shared in the glory, but also enjoyed seeing those Xu family members who used to ignore him now fawning over him. Of course, he relished this feeling. But after all, those people only flattered him because of his master, Travis Clark. Even though he had served Travis Clark for over a decade and knew his master’s temperament well, he never dared to be noisy in front of him. So, at this moment, when Brian Clark said he’d come to seek his help, Samuel Brooks was taken aback and frowned.

“Seventh Young Master, you think too highly of me. Even if my master himself intervened, it might not help your case—let alone me.”

Besides, why should he help this good-for-nothing for no reason at all?

Just from Samuel Brooks’s look of disdain and contempt, Brian Clark could easily tell how unwelcome his predecessor had been. He took a deep breath, then put on a look of deep regret. “Big Brother Brooks, I know I’ve been reckless and out of control in the past. I don’t expect the elders of the clan to go easy on me. This time, I was so badly injured I nearly lost my life. Though the doctor’s skill saved me, I’m still gravely weakened... In short, I brought this all on myself. But I still have an engagement with the Shen family. If things go on like this, I’ll only end up delaying Miss Shen, so I’d like to ask you, Big Brother Brooks, to help me find a way to break off the engagement.”

At first, Samuel Brooks was only half-listening to Brian Clark’s words of regret. When he heard Brian Clark say he was gravely weakened, the corners of his mouth twitched upward, but it was more of a sneer than any sympathy. However, when Brian Clark spoke the last sentence, Samuel Brooks snapped to attention, his eyes widening as he stared at Brian Clark as if he were an idiot.

“What did you say? You want to break off the engagement?”

“Exactly!”

“Do you even know what you’re saying?” Samuel Brooks suddenly raised his voice. “The Shen family hasn’t even brought up breaking off the engagement, and you’re volunteering to do it? Are you out of your mind?”

“Big Brother Brooks, I’m serious.”

Seeing Samuel Brooks looking at him as if he were crazy, Brian Clark gave a wry smile in his heart, but his face only grew more sincere. “I’ve looked into it. Once the engagement is set and the betrothal gifts are given, if the man breaks it off, the gifts go to the woman’s family, as long as both sides agree and the authorities don’t intervene. Big Brother Brooks, you’ve always served at Sixth Uncle’s side—do you know if that’s true?”

“That’s correct,” Samuel Brooks said, his expression uncertain as he looked Brian Clark up and down. “But you probably don’t know that breaking off an engagement is a serious offense. If the man backs out and the woman’s family sues, you could be flogged eighty times!”

“Why would the Shen family sue when this is exactly what they want?” Seeing Samuel Brooks’s expression change, Brian Clark sighed softly. “To be honest, Big Brother Brooks, after nearly dying this time, I know I was wrong. But it’s too late for regrets now. Besides the engagement with the Shen family, I have another request: my father’s estate. If I keep messing around for a few more years, I’ll probably squander all the land he left me. Rather than that, I’d rather ask a trustworthy elder to appoint someone to manage the land for me. After all, I’m young, I don’t understand farming, and I don’t know how to manage people. If the land goes to waste, how could I face my father?”

After these words, even though Brian Clark didn’t squeeze out any tears, his earnest expression was enough to turn Samuel Brooks from initial indifference to sudden interest, and even brought a rare smile to his face. He was an old hand—if he couldn’t hear the hidden benefits in this, he might as well hang himself. So, he immediately nodded warmly, his face full of approval. “A prodigal son who mends his ways is worth his weight in gold. In just a few days, Seventh Young Master, you’ve truly made people see you in a new light. Come, come, this isn’t the place to talk—let’s go inside and discuss things further!”