130 Father and Daughter in Conversation

After settling Renée, Andrew went to his study. Before entering, he hesitated in a way he rarely did. He was contemplating how to interact with this daughter who had arrived ten years late—in over thirty years of life, this was only the second time he had felt such hesitation and such a profound lack of confidence.

Despite his concerns, he was a man accustomed to decisive action. He did not dither at the door for long before pushing it open. Inside the study, Theresa stood before a bookshelf, leafing through an ancient volume. She appeared calm and serene, a far cry from the prickly demeanor she had displayed earlier. This shift took Andrew by surprise, and he couldn't help but re-evaluate this long-lost daughter in his heart.

"I think we need to have a proper talk," Andrew ventured, trying to use his gentlest tone, fearing that a sharper inflection might cause Theresa to "grow thorns" once more.

Theresa, having already composed herself, nodded with extreme composure and seized the initiative: "Who is Kina?"

"Kina?" Andrew raised an eyebrow, his expression one of slight surprise. He truly had not expected Theresa to bring up a name that seemed completely irrelevant to their conversation at such a moment. At the same time, he was uncertain if the Kina she referred to was the one he knew.

"Kina. Rebecca Anga calls her Aunt Kina," Theresa explained, looking at him with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "This 'Aunt Kina' seems to have a... very... close... relationship with you!"

At these words, Andrew narrowed his eyes, the softness in his demeanor fading slightly. Almost instantly, he grasped the chain of events leading to Theresa's question. A complex emotion, a mix of pride and mild annoyance, welled up within him—what daughter questions her father’s private romantic affairs like this?

However, it was precisely because of this that Andrew found a way to handle her. He walked to the study’s mini-bar and poured two drinks, one for himself and one for Theresa, adding a firm instruction: "Rehydrate."

As Theresa took the drink, she couldn't help but feel a little shy. She had cried far too much earlier today. Had she not taken the opportunity to apply ointment while waiting in the study, she would surely have had eyes as puffy as walnuts. Although the swelling could be reduced with medicine, the body's dehydration could not be fixed instantly; hence, her voice remained hoarse when she spoke.

Even while sipping the drink, Theresa did not let the opportunity to press Andrew pass. She continued, "Childhood sweethearts, battlefield partners, mutual affection, years of longing... I think you might need to give me... an explanation."

"I have only ever regarded Kina as a sister," Andrew said, his voice final, laying an unbreakable foundation for the nature of their relationship. "Whether it was before I met your mother, or during the ten-plus years I was separated from her, Kina and I have had no relations other than those of comrades-in-arms and siblings!"

"Fine," Theresa replied. "Since you have explained it that way, I will believe you—I just hope such entanglements will not exist in the future!"

The two of them, one adult and one child, one man and one woman, stared at each other. Their identical, beautiful emerald eyes locked for a long moment. Suddenly, Andrew laughed. He strode over to Theresa, reached out to pat her head, and proceeded to ruffle her black hair. Half in annoyance and half in pride, he scolded, "You little brat, how old are you, and you dare to meddle in your old man's affairs?"

Theresa shrank her neck and rolled her eyes, retorting, "If you weren't my mother's lover, I wouldn't bother with you at all."

This earned her a few more affectionate rubs. Unable to resist, Theresa could only let him do as he pleased.

After teasing his daughter like a puppy, Andrew, in high spirits, sat down by the floor-to-ceiling window and gestured for Theresa to sit opposite him. He straightened his expression and said, "Leaving your mother to return home back then was truly a matter of helplessness. I had intended to return to fetch her within a month, but I didn't expect a crisis to erupt within the clan. I was trapped in the 'Outer Realm' for ten years. Furthermore, I never imagined that your mother was pregnant at the time—had I known, I would have brought her back no matter what."

"Since it has already happened, any explanation is meaningless," Theresa said, her eyes cast down, her expression somewhat cold.

Andrew frowned slightly at this and continued, "I am not making excuses; I am simply explaining a situation. Your conception and birth were entirely outside the norm! Less than a month after Renée conceived you, she was attacked by a 'Night Demon.' By all rights, a newborn's soul strength would not be enough to withstand an attack from even the lowest-level 'Soul-Eater Demon,' let alone a 'Night Demon.' Add to that the fact that the 'Night Demon' self-destructed, causing a spatial tremor—that was yet another shock to your soul. That you could survive two consecutive soul shocks... I can only call it a miracle."

Theresa's heart fluttered as she listened to Andrew's explanation. Only when the final sentence was uttered did she suddenly feel at ease. With a playful, almost rogue-like smile, she said, "So I'm a miracle, what of it?"

"Your condition has already drawn great attention from the Anga clan," Andrew said, his expression remaining serious. "For the past half-month, the clan has held several discussions, but there remains great controversy regarding your acceptance."

Hearing this, Theresa sensed the gravity of the situation and straightened her posture. "What does that mean? Do you... do they not acknowledge me?"

"You are my daughter; that is a fact no one can change or overturn!" Andrew declared solemnly, though his expression shifted to something more subtle as he continued, "However, as of now, you are not an 'Anga'."

"If I'm not, I'm not," Theresa shrugged indifferently. "I wasn't an 'Anga' for the first thirteen years of my life, and I lived just fine, didn't I? Even if I'm not an 'Anga' for the next thirteen, thirty, or three hundred years—if I live that long—I'll still live just fine!"

This declaration brought Andrew a sense of relief, but he would never concede the rights his daughter deserved. He continued, "The clan has yet to reach a conclusion. The most likely outcome is that they will impose an initiation test on you. I heard your talent for alchemy is quite good?"

"Well, it's alright, pretty good," Theresa replied modestly, though her little brain was spinning dozens of thoughts at once. When her gaze fixed on Andrew's palm, a question slipped out involuntarily: "Is the Anga Gate known for martial arts? Is that why I'm not being allowed in?"

"Who told you that?" Andrew raised an eyebrow in surprise, but he gave a clear answer. "That is indeed a focal point of the controversy. Although the Anga Gate produces many talents generation after generation, it has always been based on ancestral martial arts. Every Anga carries an ancient heritage within their bloodline, which is why we have been able to keep our fire burning through the long passage of time."

"Bloodline heritage? I don't feel anything," Theresa muttered. "Anyway, I've had a weak constitution since I was young. Forget martial arts; even running and jumping made me worse off than children my age."

"That is because you were injured during the pregnancy," Andrew’s expression darkened. "Don't worry about this matter. I only told you today to remind you not to let anything slip in front of your mother and cause her distress."

Theresa nodded and asked a few more questions about Renée's health. Upon learning that Renée was receiving treatment and would recover within two years at the latest, she finally felt completely at ease. Once relaxed, Theresa couldn't help but yawn. The events she had experienced, the physical exertion, and the emotional shocks she had endured today had far exceeded her physiological limits. Now, she could hold on no longer.

...

After sending Theresa off to rest, Andrew remained alone in the study. Only then did Chiri and Angel enter silently to pay their respects and await orders.

Facing his two top lieutenants, Andrew shed the softness he had shown his wife and daughter. He ordered coldly, "Chiri, have someone watch Kina’s family, and Rebecca as well. Angel, keep a close watch on the clan’s movements. I want to know about Tess’s initiation status the moment anything happens!"

Chiri and Angel acknowledged the order and withdrew. Once they were far away, Chiri couldn't help but complain, "Miss Kina is too persistent, isn't she? How many years has it been? What does she still want to do? The master has a wife and daughter now; what more could she possibly hope for?"

Angel glanced at him indifferently and said, "The master is the primary candidate for the next Elder."

That simple sentence made Chiri wilt. After a long moment, he whispered weakly, "Perhaps the master values his wife and daughter more?"

The statement was so flimsy that he couldn't even convince himself.

Chiri and Angel looked at each other for several seconds and sighed in unison. Chiri muttered, "I hope Miss Theresa passes the initiation smoothly; otherwise, things will get complicated."

Angel shook his head: "Miss Kina will not let this opportunity pass. If she misses this, she will truly have no chance with the master for the rest of her life."

"But if she interferes with Miss Theresa's initiation, isn't she afraid the master will loathe her even more?" Chiri couldn't help but argue.

Angel analyzed it with great composure: "At present, what Miss Kina lacks most is time. As long as she can buy enough time, what does it matter if the master loathes her for a moment? After all, they have ten years of childhood friendship and ten years as partners."

Chiri knew this, but hearing Angel say it, he still couldn't help but frown. "In any case, I don't like Miss Kina—her emotions are too intense, too extreme... The master is just right as he is now."

Angel laughed at this, reached out to pat Chiri on the shoulder, and said, "That is why, for the sake of the master's happiness, we must carry out this mission perfectly!"

Hearing this, Chiri was suddenly full of motivation.