"Master used to study poisons on the battlefield, but I've heard he also fought in wars when he was young. His skills have always been exceptional, even at the age of eighty, his vigour remains undiminished. If you can persuade him to help you with your illness, when it comes to the revitalization of Solterra, he might become your valuable support!"

Xavier saw through his intentions and spoke slowly.

Bradley narrowed his eyes, raised the strong liquor and downed it in one gulp.

Just then, Freya came running down from upstairs.

She saw clearly that Hayden Barnes had punched Bradley, feeling considerable distress, she came down to check on the situation.

"Are you hurt?"

She reached out to touch his wound, but suddenly, there was a creak, and Hayden Barnes stood at the window.

"Sue, you should go to sleep."

"Okay."

Freya's outstretched hand slowly fell back down. She turned to look at Bradley. "Let Dr. Jackson take a look at you. I'm going upstairs."

With that, she turned to leave. At this moment, Bradley reached out and tightly grasped her wrist, his eyes filled with reluctance.

"Dear, we must abide by the rules of the game, at least, in front of Great Uncle. We have to abide by the rules."

Hayden Barnes's eyes widened, if she kept clinging to him like this, he would make sure to chase them out with a broom.

"Bradley, think about the broader picture!"

Xavier reminded him.

Bradley then eased his grip, allowing Freya to leave.

Hayden Barnes was very satisfied, letting out a big yawn. "Let's all go to bed. Follow me into the woods tomorrow."

This night was destined to be restless.

Bradley lay on the narrow wooden bed, each turn causing it to creak.

Without Freya by his side, the night seemed especially long.

Unable to sleep, he finally couldn't bear the loneliness and got up, preparing to find Freya.

It was almost midnight now, Hayden Barnes must be asleep.

He planned to secretly hold her and sleep, and leave when dawn broke.

This way, no one would notice.

However, as he reached Freya's room, a dark figure flashed before his eyes.

"Don't think I don't know what you're planning to do. Want to sneak in for a cuddle? Not a chance."

Bradley's mouth twitched.

This old man was clearly intentionally keeping an eye on him.

He returned to his room with a heart full of anger.

As soon as he lay down, the bed creaked again, infuriating him to the point that he rolled up the sheets and slept on the floor.

The next morning, there was the sound of gongs downstairs.

It jolted everyone awake.

Freya, still half asleep, walked to the window and saw Hayden Barnes banging the gong.

"Brother, what are you doing?"

"The sun's already up, why wouldn't I wake everyone? Young folks with erratic schedules, lazing around during the day, will shave years off their lives."

Ten minutes later, everyone was downstairs.

Freya hadn't slept well last night, feeling lethargic with dark circles under her eyes.

Hayden Barnes scanned the room but didn't see Bradley, immediately frowning and raising his voice.

"Where is he?"

Xavier hurriedly said, "I'll go call him down right away."

At that moment, Bradley was lying on the floor, unable to get up.

The bed was too small and squeaky, preventing him from sleeping, while the floor was cold and hard, making his muscles uncomfortable.

He also heard the gong downstairs, piercing his eardrums and aggravating his irritability.

Scratching his head, he prepared to go downstairs to freshen up, coincidentally meeting Xavier coming up.

"Bradley, Master is looking for you."

"I heard."

He came downstairs, his face dark.

"Grandpa, what do you want so early in the morning?"

"What do you mean, so early? Look at the time. I'll tell you, this is my home, and if you want to stay here, you must follow my rules. Of course, you can't freeload."

With that, Hayden Barnes pointed to Freya, saying, "Sue, you still handle the meals. Sean, you're responsible for watering the garden and flowers outside. As for Xavier and Bradley, you'll accompany me into the mountains to gather herbs and develop antidotes for poisons."

Everyone was stunned.

What was Hayden Barnes planning?

Did he think they were going on a wilderness survival trip?

"Grandpa, I will go into the mountains with you. I can't do farm work!"

Sean's face was mournful, he was fine yesterday, why did he change so much today?

"Your medical skills are good, but your physical fitness is poor. You need more exercise."

Hayden Barnes said sternly, not giving him any chance to object.

"I don't want to stay behind and cook either. Sean can cook too, why not let him do it."

She wanted to learn medicine in the mountains. Although she inherited Mr Gunther's medical skills, she knew nothing about toxicology.

With the opportunity to learn, she naturally wanted to seize it.

At first, Hayden Barnes was reluctant, but considering the test for the two prospective brothers-in-law, he had to start with his sister. So, he eventually agreed.

"Okay, Sean, you'll handle all the household chores."

Sean felt like crying. How did things end up like this?

In the end, Sean stayed behind, and the three of them followed Hayden Barnes into the mountains.

Hayden Barnes asked the two of them to find herbs while leaving Freya behind for a talk.

"Sue, I've carefully considered what you said. I'm giving them both a fair chance to compete. Whoever wins can marry you. But before that, you mustn't defy any of my decisions."

Looking at Hayden Barnes's serious expression, Freya couldn't help but sigh.

Bradley must be furious.

The usually powerful Mr Austin, who always gets what he wants, how can he tolerate being oppressed like this?

Furthermore, Xavier is truly innocent.

She just wanted him to come and help persuade Hayden Barnes, but ended up being dragged into it.

Freya felt guilty towards Ella, hoping she wouldn't be angry with her.

"What are you thinking? Did you hear what I said?"

Seeing her daydreaming, Hayden Barnes frowned.

Freya snapped out of it and nodded vigourously. "I heard. I'll follow your arrangements."

Hayden Barnes nodded satisfactorily and stroked his beard, saying sternly, "Well, Bradley has good skills, but lacks manners and isn't likable. Although Xavier is a bit stiff, at least he's obedient. All in all, these two are not much different standing together."

"Let me tell you, marriage is a lifelong matter. If a woman marries poorly, she'll never be happy in her life. Since I promised our parents to take good care of you, I'll find the best man for you to marry."

"Thank you, brother."

Freya could understand Hayden Barnes' intentions. With just one sister, plus her past experiences, it's inevitable to feel sorry for her.

If her grandmother knew, she would surely feel touched.

"Oh right, have you found a solution for the poison on Bradley?"

Freya returned to the main topic, after all, her purpose for coming here was to help Bradley with his illness.