So that’s how it is...
Owen Bertram remained speechless for a while, looking at Ava Bertram and then at the large pot. There were too many incomprehensible things about Verna; he was hardly surprised anymore.
"Alright." Owen Bertram lightly pinched his sister’s cheek: "You continue cooking."
Then he pointed at the remaining three: "Follow me out."
His sister grabbed his hand, and Owen Bertram reassured her, "I’ll just talk to them. Don’t worry, I won’t make things difficult for them." Only then did Ava let go and suddenly remember, "Ah, I forgot to stir! It’ll burn!" She hurried over to the large pot, grabbed a large wooden spoon, and stirred vigorously, her eyes fixed on the pot.
Owen brought Matthew and the other two out and ordered Ethereal Devin: "Interrogate them separately! Don’t let them collude in their testimonies!"
Thinking of his sister, Owen felt reassured. Although she was young and didn’t quite understand everything, at least she took responsibility and didn’t let others bear the consequences for her mistakes.
Matthew and the two others confessed to everything, and after Owen read their testimonies, he rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
He first called in Alvin Morgan and Bennett Basil and placed before them a contract equivalent to a contract binding them to servitude.
"There’s no need for me to explain the value of Fern, and when prepared by my sister’s cooking, it’s even more unparalleled. The two of you have eaten from our family for so long, it’s time to sign this contract."
Alvin Morgan and Bennett Basil knew that Lord Algernon wouldn’t let this go easily this time, but upon seeing the contract, both their faces fell: they were to serve Owen Bertram for free for one hundred and fifty years!
"I’ve thought about it. You’ll both do what you’re good at. Alvin Morgan will be responsible for alchemy, but your success rate is too low to make high-level spirit pills as that would waste spiritual medicine.
You will be in charge of refining large quantities of spirit pills below third grade.
In addition, I’ll select some people with alchemy talent from my subordinates for you to teach. In the future, low-level spirit pill refinement should be scaled up.
During this time, you must work hard! Reflect and learn from your shortcomings, and do everything you can to improve the success rate."
Alvin Morgan lowered his head, feeling incredibly indignant. By what right did Owen Bertram view him as so unworthy? In the outside world, wasn’t he also a revered Pill Master?
But when Owen rebuked him, he simply couldn’t muster the confidence to argue back.
Well, he didn’t have the courage either.
"As for you, Bennett Basil, focus on Pill Cuisine. I’m not expecting you to surpass my sister, but after being by her side for so long, you should have made some progress, right? You should at least have your own unique style.
I plan to open a restaurant, and in the future, I want this restaurant’s branches to cover the entire Wood Dynasty, making it the number one restaurant of the Human Race!
As for you... You’re a born again cultivator with a low level and no particular skills to protect yourself. If you can’t even handle this simple task, what use are you to me?"
Bennett Basil felt deeply hurt: As a cultivator who had achieved sudden enlightenment, everyone always spoke highly of his bright future, so why was it that upon coming here, he found himself completely trampled upon by Owen Bertram?
Then Bennett Basil bowed and said, "I understand."
The two men had good attitudes, so Owen Bertram waved his hand: "Alright, you can leave now. Let Matthew come in."
The two left, and shortly after, Matthew entered and knelt on the ground: "My lord, I deserve to die a thousand times!"
With his back to Matthew, Owen Bertram stood with his hands behind his back and said coldly, "Pack your things and go back to York Gordon."
Stunned, Matthew looked up at Owen Bertram and pleaded, "My lord, I truly understand my mistake. Please punish me instead – demote me, whip me, or fine me. Just please, don’t send me away!" He then bowed deeply.
Owen Bertram remained cold, replying, "You were always York Gordon’s man."
Matthew prostrated himself on the ground and said, "But York Gordon is also under your command, my lord. Naturally, I serve you as well."
Owen Bertram slowly turned around and asked, "You can say that, which means you’re not entirely ignorant. Then why would you make such a mistake?"
Matthew understood why Owen wanted to punish him so severely and kowtowed again, "I... I was momentarily confused! At first, I only wanted to satisfy my own cravings. Young Lady’s cooking is just too delicious.
Later on, I became more and more fearful, and that’s why I didn’t dare tell you the truth, my lord."
The one thing that disappointed Owen Bertram about Matthew was this: As his subordinate, Matthew should have reported everything to him, no matter what happened!
Matthew tore off his Prescott Token and held it up with both hands, "My lord, I am willing to start over as a regular military officer and work my way up. Please give me another chance."
Owen Bertram raised his hand, and the Prescott Token levitated in midair. After looking it over twice, he threw it back to Matthew, "Prepare to take over as the Prescott of Candance County in a few days. If you can hold the position, you can continue working. If not, return to York Gordon."
Matthew hesitated before replying respectfully, "I understand. If I can’t hold Candance County, I won’t have the face to return."
However, in reality, Matthew had thought that Owen would force himself to take over as the Prescott of Candance County and have him take the front line against the Commander of Kai County, Oscar.
After dealing with the three of them, Owen Bertram sat in his room, tapping his fingers on the desk as he thought about his next plans. Then he heard a knock on the door, and Verna poked her head in: "Brother, it’s time to eat."
In the kitchen, Verna had prepared a large bowl and placed it on the table.