As a Magic Lord, Andrew was particularly sensitive to the happenings around him, a significant trait of his profession.

After breaking through to Tier Four, this sensitivity had improved considerably.

Noticing the subtly unusual atmosphere and hearing the veiled admonition from the high-ranking member of the Commerce Association,

Andrew thought for a moment and roughly guessed what was going on.

After some contemplation, Andrew did not get angry and first answered the other party's question calmly, saying, "Yes, I am quite eager to visit the Royal Court. As for staying in Warm Fire City and doing my duty..." Andrew paused and smiled, "Thank you for your suggestion, but as the lord of Wildfire Territory, I don't think my duties are tied to Warm Fire City, do you?"

When he said this, Andrew's expression was calm, his tone polite, yet his words carried a hint of sharpness.

As Andrew finished speaking, many high-ranking members of the Commerce Association present turned pale!

The one who reminded Andrew to mind his duties was named Lawrence.

Seeing Andrew's ungrateful attitude, Lawrence's face showed a hint of annoyance as he said coldly, "It sounds good, 'wanting to visit the Royal Court'? Are you sure you want to go to the Royal Court just to take a look? Don't you have some ulterior motive in mind?"

To him, the so-called visit to the Royal Court was just Andrew's excuse.

Lawrence believed Andrew wanted to vie for the position of the Commerce Association's future son-in-law!

Although not explicitly stated, the implication was clear.

The battles on the front line had ceased for a while, and the Royal Court's negotiation duels had yet to commence.

Now, it was about Andrew and Barbara's romance that Lawrence finally brought to the fore!

Not every high-ranking member of the Commerce Association had a favorable attitude towards Andrew.

Lawrence, as an eight-tier Warm Fire Mage, had a mediocre strength among others of the same tier.

He became a high-ranking member mainly because he and his Magic Laboratory had been the biggest suppliers for the "Cooperative Channel" and the "Fire Creation Plan", and he also served as the Creative Director. Gold, as the channel manager, only handled approvals and did not develop products.

With Andrew's arrival, it was as if he had overshadowed Lawrence. Compared to Andrew's various magical products and ideas, although Lawrence did not think he was worthless, the psychological gap was unavoidable.

He had held it in until now and finally seized the opportunity to vent.

Rather than reminding Andrew not to covet Orleans' position, it was more about expressing his dissatisfaction over Andrew taking a part of his role.

"Lawrence, mind your attitude," Dean Charlie said softly, then looked at Andrew.

Usually quite protective of Andrew, Gold remained silent and simply looked over.

As did other high-ranking members of the Commerce Association.

Ultimately, Andrew and Barbara's romance was indeed an issue for the high-ranking members of the Commerce Association.

While Dean Charlie reminded Lawrence to mind his attitude, in reality, Dean Charlie, Gold, and others also paid much attention to Andrew and Barbara's romance!

Madame Yi Lian was the only one who remained exceptionally calm.

Compared to the last meeting when she seemed empty, sickly, and hysterical, Madame Yi Lian was now more composed than Falk.

According to Barbara, Madame Yi Lian used to be very approachable.

Even if she had come out from the shadow of her eldest daughter's unexpected death, Madame Yi Lian was no longer who she used to be. She had indeed changed a lot.

At this moment, her expression was serene, revealing no indication of her attitude towards Andrew and Barbara's romance.

"Alright then, since we're putting this matter out in the open, might as well take this opportunity to clarify things," Andrew thought to himself, taking a deep breath and preparing to respond.

Regarding that "Chicken Wing Man"—the nickname Andrew gave Orleans—during the past ten weeks, Andrew had heard about him multiple times, several of which were during dates with Barbara.

Andrew wasn't foolish; every time he left a meeting with Barbara hand in hand, he could clearly feel the unusual gazes on his back.

He and Barbara had already discussed the potential resistance to their romance and how they would handle it.

"Actually, it really is a simple matter—"

Just as Andrew was about to speak, Barbara gently tugged at him and said, "Let me say it."

Then, facing everyone present, including her mother, Barbara calmly said, "Orleans is the perfect professional partner for me, so I will definitely work with him in the future. The upcoming Royal Court negotiations will require us to practice tactical coordination. There's no need for anyone to worry about this."

"Oh? Is that so!" Andrew raised his eyebrows and then said indifferently, "It's good that the third lady has such awareness. But does the person beside the third lady share the same thoughts..."

"It was Andrew who proactively suggested this," Barbara stared into Andrew's eyes and said, word by word.

Her tone remained respectful and polite, but her light red eyes already revealed a trace of sharpness.

Andrew was taken aback for a moment.

The other high-ranking officials present couldn't help but be surprised, looking at Barbara, confirming that their ears hadn't heard wrong.

Then, when they looked at Andrew again, their eyes held more surprise and bewilderment.

"He... this kid suggested it...?" Andrew was stunned for a moment and suddenly chuckled wryly, "Third lady, please don't joke around, okay? Suggesting you form a professional partnership with Orleans, what benefit does that bring to Andrew? Isn't this a joke?"

"Uncle Andrew, whether you believe it or not is up to you," Barbara no longer looked at Andrew, her gaze sweeping over the many other high-ranking officials present, and said slowly, "Actually, the one who truly resisted forming a professional partnership with Orleans was me. It was Andrew who suggested I just do what I should."

This is the truth.

Andrew, as a transmigrator from modern Earth, has many ideas that are different from the people of this Flame Realm, which still holds relatively old ideologies.

Andrew and other high-ranking officials of the Commerce Association all believed that their romantic relationship and Barbara's future professional partnership choices were conflicting.

Barbara herself thought the same, the difference being that she wanted to choose Andrew over Orleans, whereas the high-ranking officials thought the opposite.

But to Andrew, is this a conflict?

My relationship with Barbara is our relationship, Barbara should form a partnership with the reliable young Crimson Knight!

Andrew isn't the type to restrict his girlfriend from normal interactions with other men; to Andrew, forming a professional partnership is like a job, so it should be done accordingly.

"I'm not the kind of guy who ties up his girlfriend and doesn't let her go out to work." Andrew thought, "Correspondingly, no one else should think of using this completely normal and pure job as a weapon to limit or obstruct my relationship with Barbara!"

This is Andrew's stance on Barbara's future professional partnership.

Something they have discussed and reached a consensus on in private over this period.

Of course, Andrew also seriously inquired about what kind of person this Orleans chicken wing boy is.

Using Barbara's words: "There's no need to speak of his strength; he reached Tier Four much earlier than I did. As for character, Orleans is unlike his sister Debbie, not arrogant at all, quite low-key instead. It should be said... he's a good person."

—Regarding this, what objections could Andrew possibly have?

Barbara has already given him the 'good person card' in advance, and if Andrew still voices objections, that would be quite petty of him.

Character is mainly the important thing.

Furthermore, in this dangerous Flame Realm where the Magic Guild runs rampant, a good, reliable professional partner is crucial for life safety. For this reason alone, Andrew wouldn't obstruct Barbara from forming a partnership with Orleans.

At this moment, the high-ranking officials present all had strange expressions.

Over the past ten weeks, in their cooperation and interactions with Andrew, each believed they understood this young man from the Retirement Land somewhat deeply.

But no one expected Andrew would proactively suggest Barbara form a professional partnership with Orleans.

"We, these old folks, have misjudged the magnanimous with our petty minds?" Gold thought. The fact that he even thought this proved he was a magnanimous person.

Genuine petty minds, like people such as Andrew at this moment, were thinking, "Great! The third lady agreed to become professional partners with Orleans—whether it was Andrew who suggested it or not—it doesn't matter, it's enough! Once they become professional partners, they must practice cooperation, which could likely lead to developing feelings over time."

Andrew doesn't have any particularly deep personal relationship with Orleans; he just truly dislikes this person for taking his position, and in any case, doesn't want to see Andrew become the future consort of the Warm Fire Commerce Association!

Thinking further that if the third lady truly developed feelings for Orleans over time and then left Andrew, Andrew's sadness and distress at that time would make Andrew feel a lot less pent-up.

His face involuntarily showed a faint smile: "In that case, I won't say more. But, to not hinder the third lady and Orleans in focusing on preparing for negotiations and practicing cooperation for the Royal Court, I still think Andrew should stay in Warm Fire City and not follow along to Royal Court to cause trouble."

Andrew coldly laughed in his heart, not bothering to pay attention to this person anymore.

Seeing Andrew remain silent, Andrew's smile deepened, and he was about to say something else to completely cut off Andrew's thoughts of going to the Royal Court together.

But when the issue of Andrew and Barbara's relationship was brought up, Madam Yi Lian, who hadn't spoken, finally opened her mouth: "Andrew, you are considerate of the big picture, proactively suggesting my daughter and Orleans form a professional partnership. On behalf of the Warm Fire Commerce Association, thank you."

At this point, Madam Yi Lian paused, shook her head, and said: "However, Orleans cannot participate in the Royal Court negotiations; he was severely injured in the Dragon's Nest battle, during the confrontation with the Magic Guild's Saintess. Though not life-threatening, his injuries are more optimistic compared to Peter's, but forming a professional partnership with Barbara after he recovers will be after the Royal Court negotiations."

Andrew's previously joyful expression froze instantly: "...Huh?"

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