Andrew narrowed his eyes. "You said there's trouble around you, Mr. Thornton? What kind of trouble?"

Jerome let out a cold snort. "Some people in the Southern Martial Union think I've held the position for too long. They're getting impatient, and I think you know exactly what that means. To be honest, even though all the evidence points to the Eastonians being responsible for my poisoning, I know for a fact that someone else is behind it."

Andrew's unease, which had been quietly simmering, surged to the surface. "Do you have any idea who it is?"

Jerome's expression turned icy. "I have a good guess. But right now, I don't have any concrete evidence yet. Still, it doesn't matter. These people aren't capable of flipping things around just yet. I am still more than enough to handle these rats in the dark."

Andrew suddenly recalled something and gave a light laugh. "I believe that. It's clear everything's under your control. No wonder I was questioned by a martial king when I arrive